Owen stretched out beside Teddy in bed softly stroking her side. She had finally fallen asleep but every time he stopped she began to wake up again. This was something new he had learned about her in the last few months that when she was completely tired or overwhelmed it was his physical presence that calmed her. He knew she was miserable. It was now nine days past her due date and she was done with being pregnant. They had seen the doctor the day before and their son looked good and was in a good position. It was time to wait.
Owen paused when he heard her whimper in her sleep. Under his hand he felt the side of her bump tighten. He continued his gentle stroking her side keeping up the rhythm that seemed to soothe her. Propping himself up on his elbow he softly kissed her temple.
A while later Teddy whimpered again.
"Owen," Teddy whispered, "this feels like contractions."
"You've been whimpering in your sleep," Owen said, "how can I help?"
"That was helping. Can you keep doing that," Teddy asked.
"I can," Owen said, "anything else?"
"Stay with me," Teddy said.
"I will," Owen replied, "do you want me to call Sarah to come be with the kids?"
"Maybe," Teddy said, "it's just having someone around. I want to do this just you and I and move around the apartment when I need to. I should check on the kids."
"It's one am Teddy, they're sound asleep," Owen said, "I could start timing."
"There's an app on my phone," Teddy said.
"I'll download it so I'm not getting you to log in over and over," Owen said.
Teddy replied," it's just my thumb print to log in."
"And I'm not going to worry about asking you over and over," Owen said, "you don't need to worry about that. Your job is to stay as calm and relaxed as possible."
"That won't happen," Teddy declared, "I tried with her."
"This time will be better," Owen said, "I'm here you're not alone."
"This is how it started with her," Teddy said, "I was doing paperwork and was getting these sporadic contractions. I didn't know what they were at first. They were so spread out I didn't think they were the real thing. But he's late and I just need him out. My body can't do this anymore."
"Breathe and relax," Owen coaxed, "look at me Teddy. I'm here, I'm right with you."
She whimpered again and gripped his arm.
"That was a lot stronger," Teddy panted.
"This is it," Owen said, "little man will be here soon. Relax and close your eyes."
"Can we move to the window seat," Teddy asked.
"We can," Owen said, "do you need help up?"
Teddy slowly sat up and waited for Owen to help her to her feet. She leaned on him and they walked to the window seat.
"Can we sit here with tea," Teddy asked.
"I'll make it," Owen agreed.
He quickly made tea and sat with her in the window seat.
"This is so slow compared to her," Teddy whined.
"Do you want to try walking around," Owen asked.
"Will you hold my hand," Teddy asked.
"Of course I will," Owen replied.
They slowly paced the living area Owen letting Teddy take the lead and do what felt best to her.
"Call sarah," Teddy panted looking at Owen.
"What's going on," Owen asked.
"My water broke," Teddy said, looking wide eyed.
"Time to go," Owen asked.
"Soon," Teddy agreed, "get Sarah here."
"It's 6 the kids will be up soon," Owen said.
"We need out of here before I get to the screaming swearing part," Teddy said, "they can't see that."
"I'll call Sarah," Owen said.
Leo padded into the living room.
"Mommy up," Leo asked.
"I can't lift you right now," Teddy said softly, "come give me a hug."
Leo walked over, "some one peed on the floor."
"I'll clean it up you sit with mom," Owen said.
Owen called Sarah while wiping up the fluid on the floor.
"Mommy's sad," Leo said.
"I don't feel very good again," Teddy said, "your going to stay here with Mrs Sarah and daddy and I are going to the hospital. When you see us again you'll get to see your baby brother."
"Daddy," Allison yelled.
"Bring her here," Teddy said fighting to keep her voice level.
"Teddy," Owen asked.
"I want my babies," Teddy said.
Teddy sat back in the window seat and both kids sat on either side of her.
"I love you two so much," Teddy said, putting an arm around each of her kids.
"Mommy sad," Allison said.
"Mommy's tummy hurts," Teddy said, they had agreed that they would always be honest with the kids, "soon Mrs. Sarah is going to come stay with you and daddy and I are going to the hospital."
"Hospital," Allison said.
"Yes," Teddy said, "we're going to go and then the next time you see us your baby brother will be here."
"Brother," Allison said for the first time.
"Yes," Teddy said, "his name is Daniel."
"Daniel," Allison said tapping Teddy's stomach, "come out."
"Soon," Teddy said, "but I need a doctor to help me so we have to go soon."
"Daddy is a doctor," Leo said.
"He is," Teddy said, "so am I but we need a different type of doctor."
Sarah knocked on the door and Owen let her in.
"Okay it's time for mommy and I to go," Owen told Allison and Leo.
"I need a hug," Teddy told her kids.
They both hugged her and she kissed the tops of both of their heads.
"I love you so much," Teddy told her kids.
Owen helped her up and to the car.
In LA Megan was arguing with the general on the phone.
"Sir I can not be transferred to Germany now," Megan argued, "I'm 5 months pregnant. I'm due October 31."
"We need you in Germany doing trauma surgery and running the trauma department," the general said, "the officer who was running it is being transferred due to misconduct. Altman refuses to have him there, he's been dismissed."
"I'm honoured you thought of me but I can't move my family now," Megan said.
"It's not a choice Hunt," the general said, "you'll be working directly with Colonel Altman and Major Owen Hunt. You'll be with your brother."
"It's not that," Megan said, "medically I'm high risk. I haven't left my house since March except for medical appointments. I'm a transplant recipient on anti rejection medication."
"I was unaware you were on anti rejection medication," the general said, "we will be transferring you to Germany later. Following the birth of your child."
"Sir can we relook at this when I return from maternity leave," Megan asked, "I have a 13 year old son who I adopted while I was hostage in Iraq. Moving Faroke would be traumatic for him. Is there work in Germany for my fiance?"
"Fiance," the General asked.
"Dr. Nathan Riggs he's a cardio surgeon," Megan said.
"I'll call Altman and let her know he's available she's been looking for a good cardio person for a while," the General said.
"She's my sister in law," Megan said, "she's on maternity leave."
"Major Hunt you are being transferred effective January 1st you report when your maternity leave is up," the general said.
"I can not travel internationally in the middle of a pandemic due to my own status as a transplant recipient," Megan said, "I need to discuss this with my family and medical team."
"We need you there," the general said, "we've uncovered some issues and Altman won't keep the perpetrators in that hospital."
"So you're placating her by bringing me in," Megan asked.
"We've let three surgeons go," the general said, "and moved 4 others."
"She's my sister and I like working with her," Megan said, "sir respectfully moving to Germany would be the worst possible thing for my son."
"You have to move," the general said, "effective January 1st and you can start working when your maternity leave ends. I will put you in touch with Altman."
"I have her personal number," Megan said, "it's not a good day to call her."
"You have your orders good by Major Hunt," the general said.
"Good bye sir," Megan replied.
She dropped her phone on the couch and shouted ,"FUCK."
"What's wrong," Nathan asked running into the room.
"We have orders," Megan said, "Germany."
"When," Nathan asked.
"January 1st," Megan said, "with a two month old. Start when my maternity leave ends."
"I guess we're with Owen and Teddy again," Nathan said, "keep our kids with their cousins."
"I can't move pregnant or with a newborn in a pandemic," Megan shouted.
"Breath," Nathan said, "is it confirmed?"
"That was the verbal," Megan said, "they'll send the written orders. We're going to Germany."
"But I have friends here," Faroke shouted hearing that."
"I have orders," Megan said, "We're going to the same hospital as Uncle Owen and Auntie Teddy."
"I just made friends," Faroke yelled, "then we've been locked in the house."
"This is what's hard about what your mom does for work," Nathan said, "your mom is an amazing surgeon and officer and she's needed in Germany. We have to go where the army tells us."
"Why do we have to go," Faroke said, "can't some one else?"
"They say I'm the only one," Megan said, "that Auntie Teddy is doing some amazing work training and mentoring other women for leadership and they want me to be part of that. Its a chance for me to work with her to change the culture. To make it safer for other women. So that others won't have the things happen to them that happened to me and Teddy."
"What happened," Faroke asked.
"Men were disrespectful and expected things from us," Megan said, "with Owen being our CO it was marginally better for me because I could threaten to tell him and they were afraid of him. He was a real hardass back then. We called him Major Diamond because he was so uptight."
"Is that why I can't have a girlfriend," Faroke asked.
"That is because you're 13," Megan said, "Uncle Owen and I didn't get to date until we were 16 that's fair."
"Do we have to move," Faroke asked.
"It sounds like it," Nathan said, "but we'll know people."
"Mom will know people," Faroke said, "I'll have my baby sibling and baby cousins."
"What time is it in Germany," Megan asked.
"9 hours off," Nathan said, "calling to tell Owen and Teddy it's a girl?"
"It's 8:30 am here so it's about 5:30 there," Megan said, "I'll call."
She grabbed her phone again and tried to face time Teddy first but it just kept ringing. She tried Owen next and his phone did the same.
"No answer," Megan said looking confused.
"Has she had their baby yet," Nathan asked.
"No he would have called me," Megan replied.
"I wonder," Nathan said.
"I'll text," Megan said, "the only reason they would both ignore us is if Teddy is in labour."
Megan texted Owen, "no one's heard from you today everything okay?"
Owen, "Teddy in labour since early this morning. Exhausted and refusing any pain relief."
Megan, "hug her for me and let us know. Happy for you."
Owen, "I will. Tell mom please."
Megan, "I will."
Teddy sat in the bed groaning, "why is this taking so long? She was less then half this time."
"Different baby," Owen tried, "that was Meg. she sends a hug."
"They found out yesterday," Teddy remembered.
"She didn't say," Owen replied, "what can I do Teddy?"
"Get your son out of me," Teddy yelled.
"He's coming," Owen said, "how can I help in this moment?"
"Can we try the swaying thing again," Teddy whimpered.
"Okay up you come then," Owen said, helping her up. Teddy wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her weight on him. He put his arms around her and started to slowly sway them from side to side. Owen kept whispering gentle words of encouragement in her ear. He knew she was exhausted and had enough. He noticed she began to bend her knees, almost squatting.
"What's going on," Owen asked.
"This feels good," Teddy said, "I'm going with it. Can we try holding on to the bed doing this and you keeping pressure on my lower back?"
Owen moved the bed up as high and it went giving her something solid to lean on he kept gentle pressure on her lower back as she bent her knees and rocked her hips.
Finally after midnight Taves came in.
"Ma'am we need to check you again," Taves said.
"Now," Teddy panted.
"Now," Taves said, "you can leave your feet flat on the bed like that I have enough access."
Teddy nodded. And let the OB do her exam.
"You're at ten so when you feel the urge you can push," Taves said.
"Owen," Teddy whined.
"Okay," Owen said, "it's okay. When your ready."
"I'm so tired and I miss our kids," Teddy whined.
"Little man is almost here," Owen said, "deep breath and when you're ready."
Teddy's whole body curled forward as she pushed the baby out. Exhausted she fell back on the pillows.
Owen brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her temple as she clung to his hand.
"I can't," Teddy sobbed.
"You can," Owen said, "you've got this. Teddy, you have this. I love you. I've been in love with you since we met. You are the strongest person I know. You're so close, he's almost here.
"I'm so tired," Teddy whined.
"I know you're tired," Owen said, "you have this. Teddy one more. You're so close. I love you. Daniel is so excited to meet you and see your face. Come on, give it one more."
Teddy gave another push.
"The heads out," Taves said, "one more like that and he's here:"
Teddy pushed a final time and the little boy slid from her body.
Taves lifted him onto Teddy's chest.
"Hi," Teddy whispered, "hi Daniel. I'm your mommy. You are a beautiful little man. "
The baby cried and tried to move his head.
"Hungry already," Teddy said, "let's get you some food."
"Major Hunt," taves said, "are you cutting the cord sir?"
"Thank you Taves," Owen said taking the scissors from the OB.
Owen cut the cord breaking the connection between Daniel and Teddy. The doctor finished what she needed to do.
"No tearing," Taves said, "you are bleeding more than I would like so I'm going to monitor that."
"Bleeding," Owen asked, "how much?"
"Enough,"'Taves said, "I'll monitor. This happened with her last delivery and it stopped on its own. But she needed a unit of blood."
"Stop the bleed," Owen commanded, "get control of it now."
"Yes sir," taves said she thought it would resolve on its Own quickly but her boss wanted medical intervention to stop it. She worked quickly and in moments had the bleeding stopped.
Owen sat beside Teddy on the bed and put his arm around her kissing the top of her head. With his other hand he stroked Daniel's foot.
"Teddy he's perfect," Owen said.
"He is," Teddy sighed her body giving into her exhaustion.
Owen steadied her holding Teddy close.
"Hungry right away just like his big sister,"'Teddy added.
"Daniel William Hunt-Altman," Owen said, "I'm your daddy."
"Do you want to hold him," Teddy offered a few minutes later when it was clear Daniel was done eating.
"Yes," Owen said. He tenderly lifted the tiny boy from Teddy's arms and held him close studying the tiny face that already had green eyes, Teddy's eyes.
A couple hours later Owen face timed his mom.
"Owen what's going on," Evelyn said when she picked up, "we haven't heard from either of you since yesterday. Is Teddy okay? The kids?"
Owen angled the phone to look into the bassinet, "meet meet your grandson. Daniel William Hunt-Altman. 2:30 this morning. He's 7 pounds 4 ounces. A whole pound bigger than Allison was. 20 inches long. Hes healthy."
"He's gorgeous," Evelyn beamed, "how's Teddy?"
"Also asleep," Owen said, "that was nearly 24 hours she's exhausted."
"Everything go okay," Evelyn asked.
"Minor bleeding so they've given her a unit of blood," Owen said, "she's exhausted. I knew she was strong. I didn't know she was that strong. Mom Teddy is stronger than anyone else I know. How did she do that?"
"Hard labour," Evelyn asked.
"Long and she was in pain and tired," Owen said, "how is she so strong. She wouldn't accept pain meds."
"For your son," Evelyn said, "he's beautiful."
"He already has Teddy's eyes," Owen said.
Teddy groaned, "who is that?"
"Hi sweetheart," Evelyn said, "just me. How are you feeling?"
"Sore," Teddy admitted, "exhausted."
"Like you got hit by a bus," Evelyn said.
Teddy agreed, "exactly."
"Okay sweetheart rest," Evelyn said, "snuggle your little Daniel. Owen showed him to me already. He's gorgeous. Snuggle and let Owen take care of you. Everything go okay?"
"Little bit of bleeding but she stopped it and gave me a unit of blood," Teddy replied.
"You rest sweetheart," Evelyn said, "you look like you need a good sleep."
"He's here," Teddy said, "I just want to look at him."
"I know," Evelyn smiled, "he's gorgeous. I can't wait to come and hold him when this all opens up."
"As soon as it does," Teddy said, "we want you to hold him and see him."
"I will," Evelyn said, she could see Teddy needed a mom in this moment, "you did well Teddy, Owen said you were really strong."
"I couldn't have done it with out him," Teddy said, "he kept me together."
"Lean on him," Evelyn said, "let him take care of you and you still call me daily."
"Have you heard what Megan's having," Teddy asked.
"You two call her when you're ready," Evelyn said, "but first it looks like Teddy you need some sleep, food and a shower."
"Shower and food first," Teddy replied.
"Do that sweetheart and rest," Evelyn replied.
"I'll make sure she does," Owen promised.
Daniel began to fuss.
"I'll let you two enjoy that beautiful little man," Evelyn smiled, "I love all of you."
"We love you too," Teddy replied.
"We love you mom," Owen added before Evelyn hung up.
"Can you pass him to me," Teddy asked.
"I can," Owen said, "I don't want you moving too much yet."
"I'm okay," Teddy said, "this happened with Allison. They kept me for two nights. You'll have to go home to the kids tonight. It's okay. We're okay."
"Teddy," Owen said.
"We'll be fine," Teddy said, "I have nurses here and Allison and Leo need you."
"When should they come visit," Owen asked.
"After lunch," Teddy said, "give us a bit more time with Daniel."
After more snuggles, another feeding and a diaper change Daniel fell asleep in Owen's arms. Teddy laid on her side and watched them, seeing Owen bond with their son that was half of each of them. She was happy, this was the life she wanted.