Three days later.
"That's it Meg," Nathan coaxed, "we're almost there."
"We're," Megan yelled, "I don't see you pushing a child out of your body."
"I know your exhausted," Nathan tried, "not much longer love."
"You don't know," Megan sobbed. She had been in labour nearly eighteen hours and was rapidly running out of energy. Nathan now understood what Owen had meant when he said it was the hardest thing to do to watch your fiancé in that much pain and knowing that in order for it to end it would have to get worse for her.
"Almost there major Hunt," the OB coaxed.
"Megan," Megan whined.
"Okay Megan your almost there. I see their head," the OB tried, "on the next contraction give me the biggest push you can."
Megan screamed and pushed with all her strength.
"Good," the OB said, "one more."
Megan pushed a final time and the OB lifted the baby to Megan's chest.
"She's perfect," Nathan whispered.
"Hello Cassandra," Megan said, "Cassie, I'm your mommy."
"She's gorgeous," Nathan repeated.
"I love you little girl," Megan whispered, "daddy and I waited so long for you."
"Thank you," Nathan whispered, sitting beside Megan and putting his arms around both of them.
"Dr Riggs, are you going to cut the cord," the OB asked.
"I will," Nathan said, standing up and cutting the connection between Megan and the baby.
"We'll get you a bottle," the nurse said. She had seen in the chart that the baby would get a bottle right away and after reading Megan's history and the medications she was on knew it was the right choice.
Settled with the bottle Megan held her daughter close and fed her her first meal.
Teddy's phone rang in the middle of the night.
"It's Riggs," Teddy said.
"Speaker," Owen yawned.
"Riggs," Teddy said.
"Did I wake you," Nathan asked.
"It's fine," Teddy said, "I just put Daniel back down. What's going on?"
"It's a girl," Nathan said, "Cassandra Evelyn Riggs- Hunt."
"How is she, how's Megan," Teddy asked.
"Perfect and exhausted," Nathan said, "almost 20 hours in labour and no pain meds."
"I'm fine," Megan said.
"Megan," Teddy said.
"We'll talk when we go home," Megan said.
"You're completely worn out and feel like you've been run over," Teddy said.
"I think I felt better after my transplant," Megan admitted.
"Let Nathan and your mom baby you. It helps," Teddy said, "and take a shower. A shower really helps."
"Mom said that," Megan replied.
"She told me," Teddy answered, "Cassandra tell me all of it."
"Six pounds five ounces 19 inches she's healthy," Megan said, " no complications. She liked her first bottle."
"Has she looked at you yet," Teddy asked.
"Right away," Megan said.
"Can we see her," Owen asked.
Nathan angled the phone to get a better look at the baby's face, "this is Cassie."
"She's perfect," Teddy sighed, "Allison made that face."
"She's beautiful," Owen said, "it looks like Meg is about to fall asleep."
"Too excited to sleep," Megan said.
"Sleep," Teddy encouraged, "let her sleep on you, it's the best feeling."
"You let them all in our bed all the time," Owen teased.
"Cuddles are good," Teddy replied.
"We're going to let you get to know Cassie," Owen said.
"Congratulations," Teddy beamed.
"Thanks," Megan said, "we'll see you in a couple weeks."
"We will," Teddy said, "I'll help you with getting settled."
"After quarantine," Megan said.
"Only a week here with negative tests," Teddy replied, "enjoy Cassie and we'll see you soon."
They said their goodbyes and hung up.
Teddy saw an email on her phone from her brother.
Dear Thea,
Faith and her family can not find out I'm writing to you yet. After the holidays I would like to talk to Faith about working it out with you. I've suspected the TBear account was you for a few years but you didn't give enough clues for us to know for sure. Your kids are beautiful. Could you send photos of you and Owen? I've googled you over the years and kept tabs on you and all the awards you've won and research you've done. I'm proud of you.
We have 13 kids now. I'm not sure what dad would think. Mom would tell me she doesn't agree with me but she's always on my side. Joshua is now 23 and working as a plumber, William is 21 and doing his electrical apprenticeship, Sarah is 19 and wants to go to nursing school, Max is 18 and looking at joining the army, Bryn is 17 and just finished her GED, Carly is 15, Zack is 14, Austin is 11, Grace is 10, Hannah is 8, carter is 6, Brett is 5 and Hope is 3. I can't believe your oldest is only three. You have fun years ahead with them. Sarah found the pictures from mom and dad's and has been asking about you. You only got to meet Will, Josh and Max.
I should have believed you 25 years ago about Paul. It was in the news a few weeks that he had been charged with spousal abuse. I keep thinking what if a man did that to one of my girls. I'm sorry Thea. I don't understand why most things refer to you as Teddy we always called you Thea. Grandpa used to call you his Teddy bear because you were so gentle.
Life here is good. Always hectic and something going on. Business is going well. I'm hoping one of the boys will join me. We have a few defense contracts right now that will go for the next few years which have allowed me to expand the shop and buy better equipment. Faith is always busy homeschooling the kids.
I can't say I will ever understand your decision to join the army but it seems to have worked for you. I'm having a hard time with Max wanting to enlist. Thank you for reaching out. Please send some more photos of your family and let me know next time you're nearby. Please send your address as well. Only use this email as it's my private one that Faith doesn't know about.
Love,
Jordan
Teddy read the message again and looked at the photo of the large family.
"That's a big family," Owen commented.
"13 kids," Teddy said, "I only got to meet the oldest three Josh, Max and Will. Faith was threatened by me."
"You're so scary Altman," Owen teased.
"I was different then," Teddy said.
"You were when we met," Owen said, "I like the evolution of Teddy Altman."
"You met me at one of my lowest points," Teddy said, "I had nowhere to go but up."
"And now," Owen asked.
"The best I've ever been," Teddy said, "I don't know if I actually want to see Jordan or just email or facetime."
"Whose older," Owen asked.
"I am by 10 minutes," Teddy said, "they thought we were both boys. They didn't have girls' names picked out, they were so sure."
"So Theodora," Owen asked.
"Theodore," Teddy laughed, "change the last letter."
"They just changed a letter," Owen said, "you didn't get your own name."
"Thea," Teddy replied, "Teddy wasn't just a camp name my grandpa called me Teddy Bear."
"You loved your grandpa," Owen said.
"It might have been the bigger influence in choosing Teddy," Teddy said, "it's 2:00 we could get a couple hours of sleep now."
As soon as they spoke Daniel began to fuss. After a quick snack he settled back to sleep.
They fell back asleep and were woken by Leo crawling into their bed around 6, he was their early riser while Allison would sleep until nine or ten if they let her.
"Mommy," Leo whispered.
"Good morning Leosaurus," Teddy smiled with her eyes still closed.
"Mommy wake up," Leo said.
"Should we make breakfast for daddy and Allison," Teddy asked.
"Fancy toast," Leo asked.
"We can have french toast," Teddy agreed. She knew french toast was Leo's favourite breakfast.
"Boo berries," Leo asked.
"Maybe," Teddy replied, "I think there might be a few blueberries left in the freezer."
"Boo berries and butter," Leo said.
"You're my fruit and veggie monster, Leosaurus," Teddy said as she got out of bed and led him to the kitchen.
Seeing Allison, Teddy sent her to the master bedroom , "go wake up daddy without yelling."
Allison pounced on Owen, "daddy, daddy wake up."
"Hi princess," Owen said, opening one eye.
"Wake up," Allison repeated.
"Where are your mom and brothers," Owen asked.
Allison pointed to the kitchen, "there."
"Should we go see them," Owen asked.
Daniel began to cry in his bassinet.
"Daniel is here," Owen said, "mommy must have let him sleep when she got up."
Owen picked up the tiny boy and carried him to the dresser to change him. With Daniel changed and in a clean onesie Owen walked into the kitchen with him on his shoulder.
"Good morning," Teddy smiled.
"What's for breakfast," Owen asked, seeing Leo on the step stool stirring.
"Boo berry waffles," Leo cheered.
"Blueberry waffles are my favourite," Owen smiled.
"With bacon," Teddy smiled.
"My favourite," Owen agreed.
"How's he doing," Teddy asked.
"He's good," Owen said, "just needed to be cleaned up."
"Hungry," Teddy asked.
"Not yet," Owen said, "he's really alert."
"He's starting to get fun now," Teddy said.
"He smiles and makes noises," Owen said, "you okay with breakfast?"
"You okay to get the kids dressed," Teddy asked.
"Okay you two," Owen said, "let's get dressed. Daniel is in a clean onsie"
"No," Allison pouted.
"Come on princess, let's go get a princess dress," Owen said.
"Belle," Allison asked.
"We can get the Belle dress," Owen agreed. He had laughed and rolled his eyes when Teddy had ordered the princess dresses for Allison with a picture of the princess on the top and the skirt in the same colour as the princesses dress but it was all Allison would wear they had the entire collection.
"I'm helping mommy," Leo said.
"I can put the waffles in the waffle maker you go get dressed," Teddy said, kissing the top of his head, "thank you for being my big helper."
"Bat man," Leo asked.
"We can find your batman shirt," Owen agreed.
Teddy finished making breakfast while Owen got the kids dressed. After they finished eating Teddy's Ipad buzzed.
"Megan," Teddy greeted, "how are you doing? How's Cassandra?"
"I'm exhausted and Cassie is the sweetest," Megan said.
"Are we going with Cassie," Teddy asked.
"Cassie," Nathan echoed.
"Has she met her big brother," Teddy asked.
"He's in love and pretending to be too cool," Megan replied.
"Teenagers," Owen joked, "Megs you okay?"
"Exhausted," Megan said, "but mom and Nate are hovering."
"Enjoy it," Teddy said, "are you eating?"
"I have," Megan said, "not super hungry, I'm too tired."
"I'm always starving," Teddy said.
"But we're using formula," Megan said, "you need more energy than I do."
"Still recovering and healing," Teddy said, "can we see her again?"
"Yes," Megan said, "Nate, can you move the ipad."
"Allison, Leo," Owen said, "auntie Megan is on the Ipad with your new cousin."
"Cousin," Allison asked.
"Her name is Cassie," Megan said, "here she is."
"Pretty doll," Allison said.
"She is gorgeous," Teddy agreed, "Allison, that's a baby like Daniel. She's going to move here soon and you can play with her in 6 weeks."
"Six weeks till we see you," Megan sighed.
"We're pretty much packed," Nathan said, "shipped a bunch of stuff then once we shipped everything but the bare essentials for the next few weeks Meg went into labour."
"That last stressor," Teddy said, "Allison I finished my last big meeting before I was on leave and had just finished the last few paperwork things when my water broke. I was relaxed enough. Daniel I don't know."
"We shipped it to you," Megan said.
"We know you're in our building," Owen said, "a floor down. I can get your keys from the building manager."
"It's furnished," Nathan said.
"Do you want us to put your boxes in your place or get you organized," Teddy asked.
"Some help," Megan said.
"Of course," Teddy smiled, "we'll do that."
"And mom," Owen said, "and we'll feed everyone while you're in quarantine."
"Mom," Faroke asked.
"Yes buddy," Megan asked.
"Can I show Allison and Leo Cassie," Faroke asked.
"When we move to Germany," Megan said, "but you can carefully pick her up and hold her."
"We'll let you go," Teddy said, "Meg you look exhausted. Get some rest. She's perfect. K can't wait to hold her."
"Soon, we'll see your little man," Megan said.
"Christmas eve," Teddy promised.
"Congratulations again Meg and Nate," Owen said, "relax and enjoy."
They ended the call and began to clean the mess the kids made in the kitchen during breakfast.
"Can you clean up," Teddy asked, "I haven't fed Danny in a while he has to be starving."
"He hasn't cried," Owen said.
"I'm just going to take him into our room and try," Teddy said, "right now I'm not comfortable."
As if on cue Daniel began to cry.
"After this park time," Teddy suggested.
"I'll get everyone cleaned up and organized," Owen agreed.
"Don't rush it Hunt," Teddy replied, "I need a shower."
"I'll do the kitchen and living room, you have Daniel then your shower," Owen said.
They finished getting ready for the day then walked to the park.
"What do I say back to Jordan," Teddy asked.
"Send the photos," Owen said, "what about that one from August of you and I?"
"The one where I'm like 38 weeks pregnant and massive," Teddy asked skeptically.
"We look happy in it," Owen said.
"We need one of the five of us," Teddy said.
"We do," Owen said.
"I kind of want to send a response," Teddy said, "and that old picture of you and I in the desert. I know it's before we were together but it's us and we're happy in it."
"After a soccer game and you're on my back," Owen asked.
"Yes," Teddy said.
"Do that one," Owen said.
"And the one from August where you're behind me and we both have our hands on my stomach," Teddy said.
"I'll take a few of you with the kids," Owen said.
"We have that one Dianna came and took in August with the older two with us," Teddy said, "she's talented we could ask her to come do some with the 5 of us."
"Let's do that soon," Owen said, "have one framed for mom when she gets here."
"Get Meg to do one in a week or so with her family so your mom can have them up," Teddy said, "she's moving into the cat lady's place."
"How did you work out having everyone in our building," Owen asked.
"Military owns the building and military families get priority," Teddy replied.
"I didn't know that," Owen replied.
"Our place is my favourite one I've ever lived in and I've moved a lot," Teddy said.
"Why," Owen asked.
"A lot is that it's ours," Teddy said, "you and me. Our kids. It's where we're building our family. Where you danced me around the kitchen after I told you about Daniel. But i'll always love my first place here, it's where I brought Allison home and you came back to me, where Allison took her first steps and Leo started calling me mommy."
"We had a lot of firsts there," Owen agreed, "we still have lots to go."
"We do," Teddy agreed, "Megan's family for Christmas, watching our kids and their cousins grow. Spending more time with your mom. Reconnecting with Jordan."
"When you facetime or talk to your brother I want to meet him," Owen said.
"I'll need you with me," Teddy said.
"I will be there," Owen agreed.
"He's hiding from his wife but I want you involved," Teddy said, "no secrets Owen. i've done the secrets thing and it made me miserable."
"Christina and Amelia kept secrets," Owen said, "It just hurt all of us."
"We will make decisions together," Teddy assured, "we are a team now."
"They why don't you want to celebrate," Owen asked.
"Third marriages," Teddy shrugged, "do we really need to. I've been to two of yours."
"And I only saw one of yours," Owen said.
"The one that was meant to be nothing and ended up being something," Teddy said, "I didn't even wear a dress."
"Lets do a small one," Owen said, "a proper one. One for us. Not New Years in our living room with a justice of the peace."
"Then we have to wait for this pandemic to end," Teddy argued, "I just want us to be married. This you and I our kids is our forever and I want to make it real."
Owen held her close with Daniel in the carrier between them, "Teddy this is real. Us, our kids, this is the most real it has ever felt. Teddy, I'm not going anywhere. You won't lose me if we wait. I want this to be special for us and for our family because we've waited 20 years for us."
"It's a long time," Teddy said.
"You said I was your best friend," Owen said.
"I loved you," Teddy replied, "I always have and always will. I love you in ways I have never loved another person and those feelings scare me."
"It scares me two," Owen agreed, "I didn't know I could love someone this much."
"We can wait," Teddy agreed, "if we start planning."
"We can start planning," Owen agreed.