A couple weeks later Teddy hung up from her daily call with Evelyn. Therapy was good but she had only had one appointment so far, talking to Evelyn having a mom who truly loved and cared about her felt good. For the first time in 20 years she had someone who wanted to be her mom and be there for her. Evelyn had wanted to mother Teddy for years but was waiting to be let in. Teddy was finally letting her in to that role.
"How's mom," Owen asked.
"Good," Teddy said, "a little bored."
"Aren't we all," Owen said.
"She wants to drive to Megan," Teddy said.
"If she's really careful," Owen said, "did she say anything about Megan?"
"She's bored," Teddy said, "I'm supposed to have tea with both in a couple hours. Megan wants to talk about babies."
"Have fun," Owen said, "you're okay with that?"
"I'm looking forward to it," Teddy said, "our friends here either never had or wanted kids or their kids are teenagers. There's only one couple with elementary age kids and they're moving to England."
"The first time I saw you pushing a stroller I assumed you were babysitting," Owen said, "I thought you would have told me if you had a baby or adopted."
"I had considered adopting after that night," Teddy said, "I was researching it when I found out about Allison."
There was a knock at the door and Owen went to answer it revealing a young soldier who frequently dropped off and picked up documents.
"Buvyer," Owen said, "we weren't expecting you."
"I have two large parcels from Seattle and a large one for LA," Buvyer said.
"Did it say who it's from," Owen asked.
"It's the military parcel service. The one from LA has Major M Hunt on the return label," Buvyer said.
"My sister," Owen said, "I'll bring them in."
"I can carry the last one up sir," Buvyer said.
"Thank you, private," Owen replied.
The young private liked his daily delivery to the chief of staff and deputy chief of staff. They were warm and kind when he brought them documents and paperwork. He still found it a shock to see the cornel in leggings most days.
"What's going on," Teddy asked, joining them at the door.
"It looks like mom and Megan sent packages," Owen said.
"They sent things," Teddy said, "for Allison's birthday and mine."
Owen saw notes on every side of the boxes , "wait for us to open. Have tea and a good snack."
"This one says to Owen, Leo and Allison," Teddy said reading the top box.
"Let me lift them," Owen said.
"There's one that says to Teddy and baby," Teddy said.
"This is the one from Megan it's for you and baby," Owen said.
Owen texted Evelyn, "what are you doing?"
Evelyn, "virtual baby shower. Teddy needs it."
Owen, "you and Meg?"
Evelyn, "our family. You can open the box for you and the kids the top layer is stuff you'll need. Go send Teddy to the bakery or something with the kids."
Owen, "I think she's napping."
Evelyn, "send her."
Owen walked into their room, "Teddy. Why don't you take the kids to the store and get treats for movie night. I don't know what you're craving and I need to call Riggs."
"I haven't been for a walk today," Teddy said, "but I really need that 45 minutes alone. Can you keep the kids?"
"Go walk and get movie treats," Owen said, "nothing to heavy don't try to carry the stuff for floats back again."
"Owen I'm fine," Teddy argued.
"I just want you to be careful," Owen said.
"I will be," Teddy replied, "its a flat paved walk to the store."
"Text when you get there," Owen said.
"Yes dad," Teddy replied. She was okay with the walk to the store on her own. She hadn't been alone other than to shower for almost three weeks. She needed the space and time.
Teddy grabbed her purse and slipped out before the kids noticed.
Owen opened the box from his mom and found a tin of her shortbread and blue baby shower decorations. He followed the directions from his mom to decorate the living room. He found Teddy's favorite chips in the box, the bbq ones they could not get in Germany that she loved and had begged Evelyn, Megan and Arizona to send her The ones she refused to share with Owen and the kids. He also quickly phoned for her favorite take out meal following the directions on the note. The next layer of the box had shirts for Allison and Leo that read big sister and big brother and one for himself with daddy on it. Owen quickly changed his shirt to the one in the box.
Teddy came back with bags of treats and looked around, "what's this?"
"Surprise," Owen said.
"What happened," Teddy asked.
"Allison, Leo," Owen called.
"What are they wearing," Teddy asked.
"Read it," Owen said crouching with them.
"Big sister, big brother, daddy," Teddy asked.
"Mom and Meg will be online in a few minutes," Owen said.
"I'm having tea with them," Teddy said.
"Teddy look around," Owen said, "mom and Meghan set a time to have tea with you. You got packages from them today. Look at the fireplace."
Teddy saw the it's a boy banner on the fire place and the treats on the island, "I don't get it."
"Mom and Meg wanted to make sure you had a shower for little man," Owen said.
Teddy began to cry.
"I need words," Owen said.
Teddy shook her head, "I don't have words. No one loves me like this. No one cares about me this much."
"Are these happy tears," Owen asked.
Teddy nodded.
"It looks like you need a hug," Owen said.
Teddy wrapped her arms around him. Owen held her close and kissed the top of her head.
"Better," Owen asked.
Teddy nodded into his shoulder.
"I guess I need a better shirt or a dress, " Teddy said.
"Go change I'll call mom and Megan," Owen said. He had been hiding gifts from other friends under Leo's bed as they had been dropped off.
Owen started the zoom call using the opportunity to hide the fact that it was more than his mom and Megan on the call. He knew Arizona was joining them as well as some of Teddy's friends here. Megan had used her connections through the military to find some of Teddy's friends here in Germany and around the world.
"Robbins," Owen said seeing Arizona.
"Owen," Arizona said.
"Hunt," Callie said.
"Torres," Owen asked.
"We're trying," Callie said, "where's Teddy?"
"Changing," Owen said.
"How's she doing," Arizona asked, "your sister sounded worried."
"We've had some ups and downs," Owen said.
Teddy came into the living room and stood behind Owen.
"Teddy," Arizona cheered, "look at you. You're adorable!"
"Round you mean," Teddy said.
"It's cute," Arizona said.
"Hunt what are you up to," Teddy asked.
"Happy baby shower," Megan yelled.
"Megan, Evelyn, did you do all this," Teddy asked.
"We wanted you to have a celebration," Evelyn beamed, "we love you sweetheart."
"Thank you," Teddy said as she scanned to see who was logged in. She saw Callie with Arizona, and some of her other friends that were local.
Owen stacked a few gifts near her and put some of Teddy's favorite treats in her reach with a cup of tea.
"He's spoiling you," Teddy's friend Bridget teased.
"He is," Teddy said, "I kinda like it."
"He should be," Evelyn said.
Hi They spent a while chatting and talking about kids and babies. Teddy enjoyed chatting.
"Present time," Megan cheered.
"It's too much," Teddy said.
"It's for your little man," Evelyn said.
Teddy started with the parcels Owen had placed on top the ones from her friends finding toys and baby clothes. Teddy opened the box from Evelyn to find two smaller boxes one marked for the shower the other marked for our next chat. In the box marked for her shower the smaller of the two and found beautiful hand made hats and blankets.
"Did you make these," Teddy asked.
"I did," Evelyn said, "you have no idea how long I've waited to do this. To make things for a brand new grand child."
"And you get two this year," Teddy said.
"Twins Teddy," Callie asked.
"No just one," Teddy smiled.
"Who," Bridget asked.
"Megan," Evelyn said, "her first."
"Megan when are you due," Bridget asked. She had served with Teddy, Owen, Megan and Nathan 14 years before.
"Halloween," Megan said.
"Congratulations," Arizona beamed.
They chatted for a while longer before the zoom call reached it's time limit.
Teddy quickly texted thank yous to everyone.
"You okay sweetheart," Evelyn texted back.
Teddy, "happy. Thank you."
Evelyn, "I wanted to do that for you."
Teddy, "we'll do that for Megan?"
Evelyn, "of course."
Teddy, "Allison and Leo want to go to the park. "
Evelyn, "enjoy your time with those two."
Teddy, "I will thank you again."
Teddy found everyone's shoes and the family of four walked to the playground before it was time for dinner and a family movie night.
After the kids were in bed Teddy and Owen curled up to watch their own movie.
"You doing okay," Owen asked.
"I'm good," Teddy said, "that was really good. I needed that."
"You did," Owen agreed, "celebrate little man."
"Six weeks and he's here," Teddy smiled.
"He is," Owen said, "Teddy what do I need to know? When Allison was born what happened?"
"I was at work when my water broke," Teddy said, "then about half an hour later I was being admitted and she was born 5 hours later."
"You were alone," Owen said.
"Yes," Teddy said, "I need you with me."
"I will be," Owen said, "how can I help."
"Don't leave me," Teddy said, "I was terrified and alone. I need you to be there and to hold my hands , talk to me. Rub my back. But you don't get to watch the exit. I need you at my head with me."
"I want to cut the cord and hold them right away," Owen said.
"Cut the cord but I want to hold him first. I had Allison placed on my chest right away and I want to do that for Daniel," Teddy said, "I want to hold him as he takes his first breaths. I want to feed him right away."
"How are we feeding him," Owen asked, "Leo only had formula."
"Allison I nursed until I went back to work then I supplemented with formula on long days," Teddy said, "I want to do the same with him. It's better for both him and I."
"That's your choice," Owen said, "what do you want to do?"
"I want to nurse him," Teddy said, "I liked that quiet time with Allison. Yes it hurt at first and when I had a clogged duct it was one of the most painful things I've ever had happen physically. But to have her right there in my arms looking at me. Her first month it was the only time she was happy being in my arms."
"In labour how do I help you," Owen circled back trying to stop her from avoiding the topic.
"Be there and don't leave me alone," Teddy said, "be there, hold my hands like you did when I lost Joshua. Just be there and tell me you're there. Remind me to breath."
"Should we watch some of those videos," Owen asked.
"No," Teddy said, "no more ptsd for you."
"I've been researching," Owen said, "he's the only one of our kids I'll see as a new born. The only one who I've gotten to be there for from the positive test."
"I know," Teddy said, "we'll figure out what I need at the moment. I had all these plans for Allison and what I wanted to do and as soon as I was in labor that all went out the window."
"You have to tell me," Owen said, "you have to let me know. Teddy I can't help if you don't talk to me."communicate."
"I'm trying," Teddy said, "I want to. It scares me. I've been on my own for so long I forgot how to let people take care of me. I don't remember how to be taken care of."
"Let me show you," Owen said, "let mom show you. Teddy, you're so good at taking care of everyone else and being there for me, our kids, mom, Megan. You have to let us take care of you two. That's what family does. You don't have to be the strong one with us. Teddy let me share the load and your fears. We're a family and a team. You and I have always been the best of friends don't keep me out of this."
"I can't fail you," Teddy sniffed, "I fail people. If I hadn't figured it out and yelled at Riggs that day him and Meg wouldn't have fought and she wouldn't have gone missing for 10 years, if I had listend to the first Allison she wouldn't have gone to work that day and been in the tower. If I had been more aware, a better doctor my dad wouldn't have had stage 4 cancer before it was diagnosed."
Owen cut her off, "Teddy those are hypotheticals you couldn't control that. Look at me. You don't fail people. You are the person that runs towards others when they struggle. How many times did you come or call because you knew I needed you. You are the most loyal, loving, compassionate person I know to everyone but yourself. If you could just show your self a tiny fraction of the love you show everyone else."
"I don't deserve it," Teddy whispered, "I didn't earn it."
"You do," Owen said, "you are amazing. I have been in love with you since we met almost 20 years ago. Love yourself, let me love you."
"It's scary," Teddy said.
"I know," Owen said pulling her closer to him, "Teddy I want you to trust it. You've done harder, scarier things, trust this. Trust us and our family. I love you."
"I love you two," Teddy said, "I'm trying to trust this. I want to. As we get closer to Daniel's arrival I'm getting scared. Can we do three kids."
"What did we day dream about," Owen asked.
"Owen those were day dreams to keep us sane," Teddy said, "we each said three kids. I always said two boys and a girl and you didn't care but you wanted three. I imagined them being our kids because I was hopelessly in love with you and well the timing was off. So I told you I wanted our kids to grow up together and be friends. To take camping trips with our families and go to the beach."
"I pictured our kids," Owen said, "I couldn't tell you but it was always our kids with your eyes and smile."
"Your hair and freckles," Teddy laughed.
"Teddy we have that," Owen said, "Leo and Allison are asleep in their beds. It feels like Daniel is having a party for one."
"Too much sugar today," Teddy said, "he's active."
"Okay enough gummy bears for you," Owen chuckled.
"I like him moving," Teddy said, "it tells me he's okay."
"But then you don't sleep because he's kicking you so you toss and turn all night," Owen said.
"That's called the last few weeks of this," Teddy said, "I'm only going to get bigger and more uncomfortable by the day. We're almost there 5 more weeks."
"You can do this," Owen said, "you're strong."
"The real work starts when we have 3 and no help," Teddy said.
"If we call Sarah for help we call," Owen said.
"I'm on 6 months maternity leave," Teddy replied, "you're taking 3 months parental. We can just be a family. And who knows with this pandemic what will happen."
"It has to end soon," Owen said, "there's the vaccine trial. I applied."
"You did what," Teddy said.
"I applied to be a vaccine trial candidate," Owen said, "the mRNA ones. The technology has been around for years. Its promising."
"I would do it but I'm not eligible yet," Teddy said, "then don't want to risk it with little man."
"You don't risk it," Owen agreed, "but I applied. I'm at the top end of their age bracket so we'll see."
"Do it," Teddy yawned.
"You're tired," Owen pointed out.
"You incubate another human," Teddy said.
"Come on Teds," Owen said standing up and pulling her to her feet, "let's go to bed."
They quickly brushed their teeth and culled up in bed together.