"That was the longest three weeks ever," Teddy said as Owen came in.
"I haven't been here in over a month," Owen said, "protocols?"
"Strip," Teddy said, "put the clothes into the basket then straight to the shower and don't touch anything."
"Are you coming behind me with disinfectant," Owen asked.
"Maybe," Teddy replied.
Owen unlaced his boots and put them in the bin Teddy was pointing to. He stripped off his uniform and Teddy went to kiss him.
"Wait for me to shower," Owen chuckled.
"But I miss you," Teddy groaned, "I want you. I need you."
"After I shower," Owen repeated.
"Owen," Teddy moaned.
"I want this as much as you do," Owen said.
Owen walked to the master bathroom in his boxers.
Teddy grabbed clean clothes for both of them from their dressers and slipped into the bathroom.
"Is there room for one more," Teddy asked.
"There is," Owen agreed, pulling back the shower curtain.
Teddy pulled off her shirt, leggings , bra and underwear before joining him in the shower. They took their time in the shower exploring each other's bodies, Owen taking his time slowly massaging, soaping and rinsing her off.
"Bed," Teddy said.
"Now," Owen agreed.
They towelled each other off and he carried her to their bed.
Saturday morning Leo leapt onto the bed.
"Daddy, daddy," Leo yelled, "your home."
"I'm home," Owen agreed, "shhh mommy is sleeping. She's tired, let her rest."
"Daddy your home," Leo repeated.
"I am," Owen said, "to stay. Let's get up and make the girls breakfast."
"Pancakes," Leo asked.
"We can make pancakes," Owen agreed, "come help me."
"I'm coming," Teddy moaned.
"You rest," Owen said.
"Mommy, where is your shirt," Leo asked.
Teddy looked to Owen. They had woken up in the middle of the night and made love for the second time. He was liking the hormones and how much she wanted him. They had fallen back to sleep forgetting to put their clothes on, Owen realized he was totally naked as well.
"Come on buddy let's go make breakfast," Owen said, "go meet me in the kitchen. I'll be there in a minute."
Leo left the room.
"We forgot to get dressed," Teddy gasped.
"That's only happened once before," Owen said.
"Before we had kids," Teddy said, "not as parents of three. What did he see?"
"One boob," Owen said.
"Great," Teddy groaned, "now we'll have to explain that to our three year old."
"Only if he asks," Owen said, "he saw you nurse Allison."
"They'll see it with Daniel," Teddy said, "or should I cover up or sit in our room with the baby?"
"At home be comfortable," Owen said, "what did you do when Allison was first born?"
"It was just her and I," Teddy said, "Amanda came for a few days but most of it I was alone with her. So I sat wherever I felt like it. The left corner of the couch and the cozy chair were my favourites."
"Then sit there," Owen said, "and we tell the older two that it's how the baby eats."
"It takes a lot of my time at first," Teddy said.
"Daddy," Leo yelled.
"I'm coming," Owen said as he pulled on his sweatpants. He tossed Teddy her shirt from the floor.
Teddy quickly pulled it over her head. Once Owen closed the door she got up and padded to her dresser pulling out clean underwear, leggings, and a top. It was a top she knew Owen would like, one she had just ordered that he hadn't seen yet. She hopped into the shower then quickly dried her hair before putting on a little bit of makeup. She hadn't put makeup on in weeks being home with the kids and usually keeping her camera off on zoom calls to avoid her coworkers seeing the child cuddled in her lap as she worked or the kids running around behind her.
"Daddy's home," Allison yelled when Teddy came out and saw Owen in the kitchen with the two kids.
"He is," Teddy said, 'are you happy Allison?"
"Yes," Allison cheered.
"What's for breakfast," Teddy asked.
"Pancakes and sausages," Owen said.
"We need to find bacon," Teddy said, "I'm craving bacon. Good crispy bacon."
"We can try," Owen said, "I'll do the grocery run later and look."
"Please," Teddy begged.
"I'll look," Owen said, "any other cravings?"
"Avocado," Teddy said, "and your mom's shortbread."
"We can ask her for the recipe," Owen said, "and make it with the kids."
"We should call her later," Teddy said.
"You'll have to let her actually see you," Owen said, "not just your face show her how much Little Man has grown."
"28 weeks," Teddy smiled, "three months left."
"You sure you're okay," Owen asked.
"I am," Teddy said, "glad I have a good excuse not to fly but at the same time I want to go home to Seattle."
"Seattle is home," Owen asked.
"It's your home," Teddy said, "I haven't had a true home since my parents, my Allison. I go where my work is. But my home is with you. You are my home."
"My home is with you and the kids," Owen said.
"I'm glad you're home," Teddy said, "Ali, is it good to have daddy home?"
"Daddy home," Allison smiled.
"Yes daddy is home," Teddy said.
"Are you girls hungry," Owen asked.
"We are," Teddy said.
Owen put a mug of coffee in front of Teddy.
"It's decaf," Owen said, "with lots of cream and sugar just how you like it."
"I knew there was a reason I love you," Teddy teased.
The family ate breakfast together and settled into a day at home playing with toys and building blocks.
"It's time to go to the park," Teddy declared, "I need a walk."
"Are you up for a hike," Owen asked.
"We can try," Teddy said, "I'm feeling good. Leo is old enough to hike around the tower."
"Are we allowed to," Owen asked.
"I'm going to pee you check," Teddy said.
Teddy came back from the washroom to a disappointed looking Owen.
"It's closed," Owen said, "neighborhood walk it is."
"The good bakery is still open. We can get our cookies and bring them here," Teddy said.
"Is that what you want," Owen asked.
"I want to go swimming," Leo said.
"The pool is closed," Teddy said, "we will go swimming soon."
"I want to go swimming," Leo whined.
"We can't," Owen said, "the pool is closed. We can't go swimming it's not safe right now."
"Please," Leo begged.
"We can't," Owen echoed, "It's not open. We will go to the park and for cookies."
"Lets get shoes and go," Teddy said.
They all got their shoes on and walked to the park. Leo and Allison scampering ahead then looking back at their parents holding hands as they walked.
"This feels normal," Teddy smiled.
"I've been here over a year," Owen smiled.
"I know," Teddy answered, "she's two next week."
"How did that happen," Owen asked.
"I don't know," Teddy smiled, "three kids Hunt. We'll have three kids."
"We do," Owen said, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him as they walked.
Reaching the empty playground they sat on the bench and watched their kids play.
"Owen," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Owen said.
"Are you happy," Teddy asked.
"Happier than I've ever been," Owen said, "Teddy are you happy?"
"Yes," Teddy smiled.
He pulled her close again and she rested her head on his shoulder. He hated having to wear a mask right now he just wanted to kiss the top of her head. Their time at the playground was up and the family of four continued walking through their neighbourhood.
Walking into the bakery Allison started pointing at the different cookies.
"What type of cookie do you want," Owen asked.
"Tat one," Allison said pointing.
"Do you want the chocolate one," Owen asked.
"Yes," Allison said.
They ordered their treats and slowly walked home. Allison had gotten tired and was happy riding on Owen's shoulders. Leo happily held Teddy's hand the few people out smiled at the family.
"Okay bath and nap," Teddy said when they got in.
"I'll do their bath," Owen said, "I've missed it."
"We have to shower two," Teddy reminded him.
"You shower and I'll wash the kids then you can tuck them in," Owen said.
They got the kids down for their naps and sat together on the couch.
"You remember in Iraq when we would sit at the end of a long day and talk about things we missed," Teddy said.
"You always said cheeseburgers," Owen chuckled, "or pizza."
"I want a cheeseburger or two," Teddy said, "with onion rings and fries and a vanilla milkshake."
"Where are we going to get that," Owen asked.
"I don't know," Teddy whined, "but I want it badly. Your son wants it."
"My son," Owen asked.
"When he makes me want things I can't have he's yours," Teddy declared.
"How do we manage working from here running things," Owen asked.
"You're still on site in non-covid wards," Teddy said, "I need people I know well and trust. People who will give me the full picture. I know you won't dramatize and make it sound worse than it is and you won't sugar coat it either. I need you as my eyes and ears."
"You and our kids," Owen said.
"This should be okay," Teddy said, "you wear PPE and you test daily. A single symptom you don't come home."
"I strip in the entry way," Owen said.
"I like that," Teddy smirked.
"You would," Owen chuckled.
Owen's Ipad buzzed on the counter.
"Megan," Owen greeted as he answered.
"Eeyore you're back home," Megan said.
"After testing negative and being thoroughly disinfected," Owen said, "I can hold my kids and my fiance."
"When's the wedding," Megan demanded, it was her favourite thing to ask when she talked to them.
"After baby and the travel restrictions lift," Teddy called, "you do not want to see me in a wedding dress now."
"I can't see Teddy," Megan snapped, "just up Owen's nose. Take me to Teddy."
Teddy was sitting cross legged on the couch, Owen turned the Ipad to use the front camera and carried it over.
"Oh My God," Megan yelled, "it's really there! There's really a baby there. We talk every couple days, what the hell Teddy!"
"You see me and the kids," Teddy replied, "but he's here. He's getting big. 12 more weeks."
"You feel good," Megan asked.
"I'm good," Teddy agreed, "he's active and happy. Bigger than I was with Allison but that's supposed to be normal."
"Owen keep the camera where it is," Megan commanded, "Teddy stand up and turn sideways."
"You really want to see it," Teddy asked.
"Now Altman," Megan barked.
Teddy stood up and turned sideways to the camera.
"You look good," Megan said, "Teddy you are adorable and glowing."
"That's called sweat from chasing kids around," Teddy laughed.
"Where are the kids," Megan asked.
"Napping," Owen said, "I'm going to turn the camera back to the front one so we can sit at the island and talk."
"Hunt, when did you get to go home," Nathan asked.
"Last night," Owen chuckled, "after he kids went to bed. And she jumped me as soon as I was decontaminated."
"Decontamination before entering the house," Nathan laughed.
"All clothes from outside off in the entry, sanitize hands, straight to the tub or shower," Teddy said.
"Kids two," Megan asked.
"Anyone coming into this apartment," Teddy said, "we still go to the park for an hour a day and for a long walk between nap and dinner."
"She makes me rise off with the hose outside," Nathan said, "we actually set up an outdoor shower."
"Coming in off the beach it's nice," Megan said, "no sand in the house, get the salt water off. It's just a perk it works for decontamination. And you have to be more careful now."
"Haven't you two been more careful then we were because of Megan's meds," Teddy asked.
"We have news," Nathan said.
"You set a date," Teddy teased.
"We need to wait a while for that now," Megan said, "a few months. I'm pregnant due on Halloween."
"Congratulations," Teddy said, "how are you feeling?"
"Morning sickness was a joke right," Megan said.
"Not just in the morning," Teddy agreed, "it was more like most of the day with Allison. This guy it started when I went to bed and then would peak when I got up."
"Does mom know," Owen asked.
"Not yet," Megan said.
"You hid it from us you've known a while," Teddy said.
"I'm 10 weeks," Megan said, "still early to be telling people. With my history we weren't sure."
"Congratulations," Teddy beamed, "will you find out?"
"We don't know yet," Megan said, "you did for both?"
"I needed to know," Teddy said, "I had to have that information."
"I want it," Nathan said.
"Is it okay with your transplant," Owen asked.
"I'm being monitored every other week," Megan said, "I'm okay. There shouldn't be a problem."
"How did Faroke take it," Owen asked.
"So far he's okay," Megan said, "he's 13 so he understands. And we're quartinted."
"You two can't social distance I see," Teddy teased.
"Like you could," Megan replied.
"We just did over a month apart," Owen said, "I was in the COIVD ward for 3 weeks then she had me in a hotel for 2 after."
"Don't get any ideas," Nathan said.
"I need you here too much," Megan said, "I see you and Faroke."
"I see Owen and the kids," Teddy agreed, "home duty sucks."
"It does," Megan said, "chasing down supplies."
"It's almost impossible," Teddy said, "we got a shipment, it was supposed to be everything we needed. They sent me a video of unpacking it. It was all booties."
"At least you got that," Megan said, "test kits?"
"Using a european supplier," Teddy said, "I'm better to use european suppliers then american right now. The numbers though."
"It's getting worse," Megan said, "I'm really lucky we have the beach right here."
"The park is close," Teddy said, "but we have way more toys than we need, and I've bought more."
"Baby toys," Nathan asked.
"We had Allisons so a few baby boy things," Teddy said, "but for these two. Art supplies, playdough, more blocks then we need."
"We have Mr Among us and fortnight," Nathan said, "I took his devices yesterday."
"They think our ipads are for calling you and mom," Owen said.
"They get some TV time," Teddy said, "paw patrol so I can be part of a meeting. Wild Crats. It's all educational. I'm trying to find Mr Rogers and Sesame Street."
"Pacify with the TV when were in meetings," Megan said.
"Yes," Teddy agreed.
"Don't think I didn't see the one last week where Allison was in your lap before you turned the camera off," Megan laughed.
"She was having a tough day, missing Owen and just needed cuddles," Teddy replied.
"I didn't care," Megan said, "I almost said something to her but didn't know what the general would say."
"He knows Owen and I are engaged and have two almost three kids," Teddy said, "in any other setting it would be weird for you not to say something to Allison but with where we work we have to downplay the kids."
"Your office does not do that," Owen said.
"Okay I have lots of family photos," Teddy smiled, "they make me happy."
"They should," Megan said, "I always have Faroke and Nathan's pictures in my office. The one of all of us at Christmas."
"How is online school going," Owen asked.
"I pulled him from science," Megan said, "I'm better to do it myself. Eight grade and baking soda volcanos. I'm doing science and reteaching him math."
"We've heard people can't keep up with it," Owen said.
"It's a lot," Megan said, "but it's what he's asked to do and he will rise to the occasion."
"Your mom is trying to call me," Teddy said.
"Let it ring then I'll add her to this," Megan declared.
They quickly invited Evelyn to the conversation.
"I'm going to get the kids up," Teddy smiled, "Leo doesn't really nap now, it's more quiet time that he has to stay on his bed. Allison still sleeps."
Teddy stood up.
"Teddy sweetheart when did that happen," Evelyn asked.
"28 weeks," Teddy smiled, "he's growing like a weed."
"How are you darling," Evelyn asked.
"I'm really good," Teddy said, "a bit stir crazy home all the time but that's everyone."
"Go get the kids," Megan said, "I'll get Faroke."
Teddy walked into the boy's room first, "Leo go sit with Daddy. Grandma, Auntie Megan, Uncle Nathan and Faroke are on the ipad."
"Grandma," Leo yelled leaping out of bed and running to the kitchen.
"Hi Leo," Evelyn smiled as Owen lifted the little boy into his lap.
"Grandma," Leo beamed.
"I don't know how we'll do this with three," Owen said.
"Move to the table and put him in a chair," Nathan suggested, "you hold Allison or the baby."
Teddy came back with Allison in her arms, the little one still liked being cuddled and carried when she first woke up from a nap.
"Thats a sight for sore eyes," Evelyn smiled seeing Allison essentially sitting on Teddy's bump.
"Allison who's that," Teddy asked as they sat down.
"Grandma, annin gan," Allison said.
"Grandma, auntie Megan, Uncle Nathan and Faroke," Owen said pointing to each picture.
"How are all my grand kids doing," Evelyn asked.
"Our three are good," Owen said.
"Both of ours are excellent," Megan added.
"Both," Evelyn said.
"Mom," Megan beamed, "I'm 8 weeks. Due on Halloween."
"Congratulations," Evelyn said, "so I have to figure out how to get to Germany by mid august then leave the last week of September to quarantine so I can come help you in October."
"Go to Megans," Teddy said, "we're okay here. It doesn't look like we can get you here but you can get to LA."
"You wanted me there," Evelyn said.
"We do," Owen said, "but the numbers and this virus it's just not looking good mom. You'd be in quarantine for a month. It's not safe for you. You will be our first call and as soon as flights open up we will bring you out to come see the kids. And hopefully we're all together for Christmas with both babies."
"You'll bring yours here," Evelyn asked.
"Seattle or LA," Owen said, "all five of us."
"All four of us can go wherever," Nathan said.
"Seattle," Teddy said, "you don't want to do more than a couple hour flight with a two month old baby."
"Christmas at our house," Megan said.
"We will all be there," Teddy said.
"Grandma," Leo said, "I got a new dinosaur."
"Did you," Evelyn asked.
"I think we have every dinosaur that ever walked the planet," Owen chuckled.
"About that," Teddy smirked.
"Do we have more coming," Owen asked.
"Maybe," Teddy shrugged.
"Baby dinos," Leo asked.
"No the baby can't play with your dinosaurs," Teddy said.
"Do you have everything you need," Evelyn asked.
"We need some boy clothes," Teddy said, "I only bought really girly pink things for Allison and pink bedding. Meg have you started shopping?"
"Not yet," Megan said, "waiting for 12 weeks to start."
"Everything will be fine," Evelyn said, "are you feeling okay?"
"I've been throwing up," Megan said, "glad I'm working from home."
"That's working for you," Evelyn asked.
"I want to operate but it's not worth risking it," Megan said.
"Don't risk it," Teddy agreed, "we're really happy for you Meg and Nathan."
"We're excited," Nathan said.
"This is exciting," Evelyn agreed, "two babies this year. It's a bright spot in all of this."
"It is," Teddy agreed, "the kids keep me going."
"Wait till you have teenagers," Megan snapped.
"If you would give me my phone and ipad back," Faroke said.
"Monday for school only," Nathan said, "when you talk to mom and I properly for a week you can have them back."
"But," Faroke whined.
"8 days," Nathan said.
"Really," Faroke said, "but you get yours come on."
"Nine," Megan said.
The family continued chatting for a while until the little two got antsy and it was time for them to go on their pre dinner walk.