Two weeks later the family of four walked through their neighbourhood. Again the kids scampered ahead stopping at street corners for their parents.
"I heard more about the adoption," Owen said.
"What do I have to do," Teddy asked.
"They want us legally married," Owen said.
"So we have to wait," Teddy asked.
"We do," Owen said.
"It's just not fair to him," Teddy said, "Leo is our son. What are we going to do with last names?"
"Leo is Hunt," Owen said, "and Allison is Altman. Could we hyphenate all three somehow?"
"Hunt-Altman," Teddy asked, "or do we switch Allisons and have all three be Hunt?"
"But your last name," Owen asked.
"Professinally now it would be stupid to change it," Teddy said, "and three Hunts would be confusing. It's not weird for moms to have different last names from their kids. I don't want Allison to be the odd one out and not have the same last name as her brothers."
"We need to be the same for all three," Owen said, "I love the idea of Hunt but don't want you to feel left out."
"Allison and I are the last Altmans that I know of," Teddy said, "the name dies out with me if we change hers."
"Or do we keep it alive by hyphenating," Owen asked.
"It would be nice," Teddy said, "hyphenate all three though."
"All three," Owen agreed, "another thing we should look at bank accounts. How do we want to make it work?"
"What have you done before," Teddy asked. She had thought they could leave it until after the wedding. Her mom had taught her to keep her accounts or at least an account separate from any man to make sure she had her independence and wasn't reliant on a man to provide for her.
"Amelia and I kept it totally separate and I had joint accounts with Christina," Owen said, "your thoughts? What did you do with Henry?"
"Henry and I had a joint household account for things like rent and food," Teddy said, "but kept separate personal accounts for spending. We each put a comfortable amount into the house account."
"So a family account but you had your shopping money and savings he didn't know how much was there or have access ," Owen asked.
"Yes," Teddy said, "but we had a huge income difference. I made at least 5 or 6 times what he did. So the joint account and credit card for what we did together made sense and if we had kids I would have put more into that account. You and I don't have the income difference issue the same way. I like an account for rent, food and kid stuff but having our own accounts for spending and our own savings."
"Do you want to do that," Owen asked, "create a house account and put both of our names on it?"
"We could once we can go into banks again," Teddy agreed, "this system of splitting bills for house and kid stuff is getting frustrating. One account for food, rent and kid stuff would be helpful. And our incomes are closer."
"How do we set that up," Owen asked.
"We go into the bank together and do it but I'm not doing it until they reopen and our little man is born," Teddy declared.
"How's our little man," Owen asked, changing the subject.
"Getting cramped I think," Teddy replied, "he's moving but it's not the big whole body movements. And I feel like his feet are by my ribs."
"Check up tomorrow," Owen said.
"Once a week now until he's born," Teddy said, "this feels so different than his sister."
"Why," Owen asked, "what feels different?"
"He's a bit more active and I'm bigger for sure," Teddy replied.
"And never more beautiful," Owen replied, brushing a stray piece of hair out of her face.
"Mommy come slide," Leo called from the top of the playground.
"Leo I can't climb up there right now," Teddy said, "I can push you on the swings."
"Please," Leo begged.
"It's not safe right now," Teddy said, "I'll watch you then push you on the swings."
Owen was playing with Allison on the spinner making the two year old giggle and watching Teddy interact with Leo. He knew that until recently she was on the playground with the kids but as their youngest got bigger and she got more uncomfortable she had stopped climbing around with them.
"So it is true," a man said approaching Teddy.
"Captain Alexander," Teddy said, "you need to continue on your way."
"What did Hunt knock you up again," Dave asked.
"Captain, leave my fiancé alone," Owen commanded.
"He finally proposed when you're having his third child by the looks of it," Dave said.
"You have orders that you are not to speak to me or be within 20 feet of me Captain," Teddy replied, "you are violating both."
"Hiding at home behind the pandemic to hide your pregnancy," Dave said.
"Leave Captain," Owen repeated, "you need to leave and stop sexually harassing cornel Altman."
"Or what? You're just her puppet," Dave said.
"Owen call the general," Teddy snapped, "I'll get the kids and meet you at home."
"Third report captain," Owen said, "this means disciplinary action."
"Just because she let you knock her up again," Dave hissed.
"I have loved Altman for 20 years. I know her better than I know myself," Owen said, "we have three children and will get married when this pandemic finally ends. She is my best friend and favorite person. You this constantly chasing and harassing her after she's told you no many times is sexual harassment and it will not be tolerated."
"We're off duty," Dave said.
"Harassment will not be tolerated at any time You're done here," Owen said, "start preparing for a transfer because I will be recommending it as your chief of surgery."
"She can override you," Dave said.
"That's the thing. We back up each other's decisions," Owen said, "and I will be intern chief of staff during her maternity leave."
"What," David spluttered.
"Go home captain," Owen said, "you're dismissed."
Owen turned on his heel and jogged to catch up with Teddy and the kids. She was visibly shaken.
"Home then we'll talk," Teddy said.
"Home then I'm calling the general and reporting that again," Owen said.
"It happens more than you think," Teddy said, "guys in the military especially have a hard time with powerful women. Meg and I talked about it. It happens."
"If we're going to change the culture we have to make a stand," Owen said, "this would not fly anywhere worse and it's time it stops happening here."
"Owen, I'm 9 months pregnant. I don't want to fight him," Teddy said.
"I'm taking all of our staff and doing a workshop or something on this because it has to stop. Young women shouldn't be scared," Owen said, "I've seen young girls running away from boys. That's not okay. What if it was Allison?"
"How do we change the culture," Teddy asked.
"People like you and Meg speaking up," Owen said, "calling guys on it. We have to call guys on it every time we hear it to show them it won't be tolerated."
"I can add it to next week's meeting," Teddy said, "and I want to check in with each of my young female surgeons and doctors here about it. But is it sexist to meet just women?"
"For this no," Owen said, "give them a platform to feel safe to talk about it."
"There was no one for Megan and I," Teddy said, "the most that was ever said to me was Dan."
"What did Dan say," Owen asked.
"Don't let him push you around because you're a woman," Teddy said.
"Dan would be really proud of you," Owen said, "chief of staff."
"And kick our asses for only figuring this out in the last couple years," Teddy said.
"The three kids and naming the youngest after him would win him over," Owen chuckled.
"Probably," Teddy agreed, "we're taking his son Jason as an intern. He's here and in quarantine. I've had a teams meeting with him. He looks just like Dan."
"What type of intern," Owen asked.
"Surgical, he wants trauma like his dad," Teddy said.
"I'll teach him myself," Owen said, "Dan taught me more in two tours than I learned in med school and residency combined."
"I know," Teddy said, "we'll teach Jason. It was on my list today to assign new residents and interns to attendings. I wasn't going to place you and I. I wanted you to oversee."
"Doesn't mean we can't mentor him," Owen said.
In Seattle, Evelyn was standing in line at the post office trying to balance two boxes. Another woman noticed the address on one.
"Grandchildren in the military," the woman asked.
"Children," Evelyn said, "you?"
"My daughter is a surgical resident in Germany," the woman replied, "and my son is in LA."
"My son is chief of surgery and my daughter in law is Chief of staff in Germany. My daughter is a trauma surgeon in LA," Evelyn said, "I'm Evelyn Hunt."
"Michelle Dyer," the woman said, "Hunt? Both my kids talk about a major Hunt."
"They're mine," Evelyn said, "then Colonel Altman is my daughter in law."
"Julia said she hasn't seen Altman in a while and was really liking learning from her," Michelle said.
"Teddy's having their third baby in about three weeks," Evelyn said, "and their oldest has asthma so she's been working from home with the pandemic."
"This pandemic is something else," Michelle agreed, "I need to get to my Julia but I can't. She needs her mom."
"I need to get to Teddy then Megan but I can't," Evelyn said, "it's hard. I should be used to it. Mine have been military most of their adult lives. I was an army nurse. But it's never easy being away from your kids when you know there's danger."
"How do you deal with it," Michelle asked.
"This. I love facetime, I can see my kids and grandkids. I still send treats I know make them happy. Owens peanut butter and salt and vinegar chips, Teddy's pancake mix and bbq chips, Megan's shortbread. I talk to them daily in some form. They still need mom more than ever. This pandemic is hard on them. The losses and sickness their seeing. They're trained for catastrophic injury, they can usually handle that but this virus no one knows how to handle."
"Julia is having her first baby," Michelle said, "I want to see my grandchild. My daughter is struggling and needs me."
"My daughter and daughter in law are both pregnant," Evelyn said, "and I can't get to either. I call them every day at the same time and we talk. We facetime and I have them show me how much the baby is growing. They still tell me all about it. I wish I got to feel them kick and hug the moms but they would be in LA and Germany anyway. That wouldn't change. A couple weeks ago we had a virtual baby shower for Teddy and we have one at the end of September for Megan. You find ways to be there. I had mine in Iraq for years and I emailed, called, sent care packages and spoiled them when they came home."
"She needs another woman, a mom," Michelle said.
"Do you know if she's said anything at work," Evelyn asked.
"She has a meeting with Altman today she thought Altman would be understanding," Michelle replied.
"Teddy, Colonel Altman, is a mom of three she will understand," Evelyn said, "and her kids are her whole world."
"How long have you known her," Michelle asked.
"20 years," Evelyn replied, "she was in Iraq after 9/11 with my son and daughter. Teddy is my daughter in law technically but she's my daughter. Does Julia have someone there with her?"
"Her boyfriend," Michelle said.
"And is he supportive," Evelyn asked.
"He's a nice guy," Michelle said, "I only met him briefly when I picked her up from the airport for Christmas. But they were distracted saying goodbye to their COs, a couple in their 40s I think, who were trying to juggle two little kids."
"That was Owen and Teddy," Evelyn said, "with Leo and Allison. Set a time every day to call your daughter. Send her treats and baby things. You still get to do all that. Then once these travel restrictions lift either you can fly to her or she can come home to you. You have to make sure she doesn't go into the soldier mindset and forget to let people love and care for her. All of mine need to be reminded that they don't have to be the strong one all the time and that they can be loved and cared for. That they need to be loved and have mom involved."
"Next," the clerk called.
"It was nice talking to you," Michelle said.
"You as well," Evelyn replied, smiling behind her mask.
Evelyn placed her packages on the counter and explained what they were to the clerk.
"Thank you for your support," the clerk said, "I was in Operation Iraqui Freedom."
"My kids were involved as well," Evelyn said, " thank you for your service."
"We'll get these to them as quickly as possible," the clerk said.
"Thank you," Evelyn replied.
Getting inside Teddy sat down to start her afternoon teams calls with her cardio teams. She still liked to keep on top of them and kept in the loop for when she returned to the OR.
"Sargent Dyer," Teddy said when the younger woman picked up her call.
"Ma'am," the young woman replied.
"Your email said you could only address the issue with me," Teddy said, getting straight to the point.
"Yes ma'am," the woman replied.
"Let's make this more comfortable for you," Teddy said, "you can call me Teddy instead of ma'am if that makes you feel better. I'm alone. I know we're not supposed to do calls in bedrooms but putting the computer on the dresser and sitting on the bed works for me to be alone. I apologize if you hear children. I have a 2 and a 3 year old. What would you like me to call you?"
"Thank you Teddy," the woman replied, " my name is Julia."
"Julia what's going on," Teddy asked as she turned on her camera.
"I need to inform you as chief of staff that I'm pregnant," Julia said.
"Congratulations," Teddy smiled, "is everything alright? How far along?"
"12 weeks and it all looks good," Julia said.
"You look worried, what can I do," Teddy asked.
"I want my mom," Julia admitted.
"This is my third and so do I," Teddy said, "call her everyday. Use FaceTime or zoom and talk to her daily. I talk to my mother in law daily and it helps. I'm going to make sure your not in COVID wards because we just don't know."
"Thank you," Julia said. She hadn't expected the woman to be so supportive right away; this was the most demanding boss she had ever worked for.
"You have to let us know what you need," Teddy said, "obviously staying away from the COVID wards. See your OB. Do you have support here?"
"My boyfriend," Julia said.
"He's supporting you," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Julia replied, "he's wonderful."
"Good," Teddy said, "let me know if you need anything at all. Hunt and I are here to help. I do have a couple questions I have to ask you due to policy reasons."
"Of course," Julia said.
"Is your boyfriend military," Teddy asked.
"He is," Julia replied, "Sargent Chris Rooney."
"You know were doing a big crack down on sexual harassment," Teddy said, "I'm sick of it happening. This is consensual?"
"Yes," Julia said, "I was the one that started flirting with him and suggested we live together."
"I'll send you some forms to fill out," Teddy said, "then return them directly to me."
"Thank you for taking the time to talk to me," Julia replied, "I know you're busy."
"Any time," Teddy said, "if you need something please let me know. You're a good surgeon and we can make you great. You and your little one will be great."
"Thank you ma'am," Julia smiled.
"Any time," Teddy said, "we have a cardio meeting in an hour. I'll see you then. Water and eat something before please take care of yourself."
They finished their call and Teddy walked back into the living room.
"Mommy," Allison yelled, running towards Teddy.
"Hi baby girl," Teddy said, "I just had a meeting Daddy couldn't hear."
"Classified meetings in our bedroom," Owen said.
"I only have one of those a week and starting this week you're going to be in on them with me," Teddy said, "still don't like that you're only getting a month now."
"I know," Owen said, "I wanted more time with you and the kids two."
"Tea," Allison asked, pulling at Teddy's summer dress.
"We can have a tea party before my next meeting," Teddy agreed.
"Cookies," Allison tried.
"We can have a cookie," Teddy agreed.
Allison brought the tea pot from her tea set over and Teddy filled it with apple juice.
Teddy carried the tiny teapot and cookies to the coffee table.
"Princess table," Allison demanded.
"I can't sit at the little table now," Teddy said, "we'll have our party here."
"Princess party," Allison tried.
"Go get the crowns," Teddy said.
Allison ran to the toy box and took out two princess tiaras and put one on Teddy's head.
"Mommy pretty," Allison smiled.
"You look very pretty in your tiara," Teddy smiled at the little girl.
Teddy sat with Allison and they had their tea party giggling and playing. This was one thing Teddy liked about working from home. She could take a few minutes mid day to play with Allison and Leo then work a bit more after they went to sleep or had their naps. Her days were different now and she liked them but she did want to operate and be hands on with patients.
After finishing their work days Teddy and Owen made a pot of tea when the kids were in bed.
"Two more weeks of work," Teddy sighed, "I'm ready to be done."
"I know you are," Owen said, "how can I help?"
"Right now," Teddy asked.
"Sure," Owen said.
"I don't know," Teddy said.
"What can I do now," Owen asked, "tonight?"
"My back is really sore," Teddy complained.
"Do you want me to massage it," Owen offered.
"Please," Teddy said.
"The whole thing or is one spot worse," Owen asked.
"It all hurts but my lower back is the worst," Teddy said, "I feel like he's shifted."
"Probably getting ready," Owen said.
"Three weeks," Teddy said, "are we ready?"
"We have everything we need," Owen said, "and we're us, we can do anything."
"Three kids," Teddy said.
"Three," Owen said.
"I'm done after this," Teddy declared, "mid 40s is old to be having babies."
"Do we want to look into permanent options," Owen asked.
"Something more reliable than the pill because apparently I'm not good at taking that," Teddy said, "I was careful then there's you and I felt safe and loved really loved and I forgot to be careful because I love you. For the first time ever I felt loved. You are the first person to make me feel loved like that."
"I love you," Owen said, "I always want you to feel safe and loved with me."
"I do," Teddy said.
Owen kissed her shoulder, "just relax. Breathe Teddy. Relax and let me hold you. I love you."
"I can't turn my mind off," Teddy said.
"Focus on my hands," Owen said, "feel the pressure and the warmth."
Teddy began to talk as Owen massaged her back, "I'm going to have this baby and you'll never find me attractive again. My body changed after Allison and I was just starting to feel like myself when you came here. I still had stretch marks from her and they'll be even worse now. I felt like a marshmallow person for months after she was born and I don't know how I'm going to do it with three kids. It was hard enough to find time to work out and get back into shape with one. A walk is not enough to go from this to meeting fitness standards. I have to be running and lifting weights and there's no time and it was hard. I never got back to where I was. If I can't lose all the baby weight, what happens?"
"You buy new clothes," Owen said, "order new uniforms. Teddy, your body does not impact how much I love you. I like the changes."
"You do," Teddy asked.
"I do," Owen assured.
"How I hate it," Teddy cried.
Owen ran his hands over her stomach, "because this is where our babies grow and you gave me a gift I never thought would happen. Teddy I love you I always have. I fell in love with your mind and your personality. Yes I've always been attracted to you. It's who you are that I'm in love with. Your sense of humor, that you're the only person who can call me on my shit and see the real me. Teddy I love you for who you are and all sides of you."
"I don't feel like me," Teddy cried.
"It's okay," Owen said, "I'm here. How can I help?"
"You can't," Teddy said.
"What can I do to make this easier," Owen tried.
"This," Teddy said, "just hold me and don't leave."
"I won't," Owen promised. He gently pulled her back so she was leaning against his chest and his arms were around her.
"Kiss me," Teddy whispered, "really kiss me."
Owen tilted her chin up and gave her a passionate kiss. She returned his kiss and slowly turned so she was facing him straddling his lap.
"It's okay," Teddy whispered, "it's safe."
"I want you," Owen whispered.
"I need you," Teddy purred.
"Are you sure," Owen asked.
"Be gentle but it's safe," Teddy replied, "I need this."
"I miss you," Owen said before kissing her again.
"Please," Teddy.
"Bed," Owen asked.
"Yes," Teddy whispered. She hadn't realized until they were kissing how much she wanted him. She didn't think she need it until now. She had put aside the idea of him touching her like that until well after the baby came. But kissing him like that she needed him. She was missing more than cuddles feeling his skin against hers.
He helped Teddy to her feet and she followed him to their room.
Teddy pulled him close to her once the door to their room was closed and kissed him again.
Early the next morning Teddy woke up to cries of "mommy, mommy."
"I'll get her," Teddy said.
Teddy walked into Allison's room, "why are you up so early baby girl."
"Mommy up," Allison demanded.
"Up you come," Teddy said lifting her up and holding the little girl close.
"Mommy," Allison said, "love you."
"I love you so much baby girl," Teddy said kissing Allison's curls.
"Mommy kiss," Allison said.
"Do you want more kisses," Teddy asked.
"Ya ya," Allison cheered.
"Shh," Teddy said, "we can't wake up daddy and Leo."
"Wake baby," Allison asked.
"He's awake," Teddy said, "do you want to say good morning?"
"No," Allison said, "mommy story."
"Let's get a book and cuddle in our chair," Teddy said. She knew this would be the last days of having Allison as her baby.
"Unicorn," Allison tried.
"We can get the unicorn book," Teddy said, "do you want a cup of milk?"
"Yes," Allison said.
"You find your book and I'll get some milk," Teddy said. She walked to the kitchen and filled Allison's favourite pink unicorn sippy cup with milk.
Teddy sat in the cozy chair, the one she had spent hours soothing and feeding Allison in and sat back waiting for Allison to bring the book over. Allison climbed up in Teddy's lap with her book and took the sippy cup that was offered. Teddy read the unicorn story quietly to Allison pausing between pages to hug the tiny girl tighter and run her fingers through the silky blonde curls.
"Mommy," Allison said, "when baby?"
"A few more weeks," Teddy said, "not long."
"Kitty no baby," Allison said.
"No kitties," Teddy said, "too many people to have a pet. Maybe when you're bigger you can have a kitty."
Allison thought for a minute.
"I bigger," Allison beamed.
"You get bigger every day," Teddy said, "my first baby. You made me mommy."
"Mommy happy," Allison said.
"I'm very happy," Teddy said.
Allison put her arms around Teddy's neck and kissed her mom. Teddy held her close and rubbed the little girls back the same way she had as an infant. Teddy closed her eyes, she was happy, she was truly happy. Two years before when she was sitting in this chair in her old apartment, the one that had sheltered her when she had fled to Germany. Teddy had spent hours alone holding Allison and rocking the little one. Without thinking she began to slowly rock the chair, getting into a gentle rhythm.
"Mommy," Allison whispered, "love you."
"I love you too," Teddy said, continuing to rock and hold her little girl.
Owen stood in the bedroom doorway and watched smiling at Teddy and Allison. They looked relaxed and happy in the cozy chair together rocking slowly. Allison's eyes half closed as she nuzzled into Teddy's neck and Teddy whispering something for only Allison to hear.