Owen led Leo off the plane in Germany. He didn't know what had possessed him to take another military position or one in Germany but here he was with his two year old adopted son. He knew he would have to work with Teddy and he hoped he could fix what had happened eighteen months before.
Teddy sat at her kitchen table and sighed seeing the name of her new deputy the one person she hadn't wanted. When she had said Hunt she had really meant Megan. Owen was her ex best friend and the father of her daughter a child he knew nothing about. Owen had no idea Allison existed she had never been able to tell him. When she had shown up at his house in Seattle he had a family with Amelia and being sick of being his second choice she had gotten back on the nice flight to Germany determined to do it alone. Sure she had tried to call him but when she called Amelia or teenage she learned from Megan was named Betty would answer and she would hang up. She thought he was done with her. At least as Owens CO she could remain detached and keep him at arms length. The one perfect night that should have brought them together had driven an insurmountable wall between them not ever their daughter had been able to break that down.
Owens cab pulled up in front of the building where he had found an apartment for his six month trial period. He would look for something else if he got the job and chose to stay. He had been told that his new CO had gone through 6 deputies in the last 18 months. He was unsure why he hadn't been given the name or rank but he would sort that out on Monday. Suddenly he recognized the building. This was Teddy's building. He paid the cab driver and carried his bags and Leo inside. Walking up the stairs he discovered that his apartment number 5 was in the same landing as Teddy's number 3. Owen noticed a stroller on the landing beside Teddy's door. She must have friends with kids he thought.
Teddy shook her head while she was looking forward to having a deputy who was an excellent surgeon she wasn't sold on Owen. Even a year ago she would have welcomed him with open arms now she had just figured out her life with out him. Once he saw her and they met in her office at 7:30 Monday he would know. He would do the math that Allison was his. She felt guilty she hadn't told him but would deal with that Monday. She had asked he not be told who he would be working for until they met. Being down two trauma suregons and a cardiothroatic surgeon she had requested Megan's transfer and would make an offer to Riggs as soon as Megan's orders were confirmed. Only Megan knew about Allison. Teddy knew asking Owens sister to hide his daughter from him would be to much but Megan didn't know about Owens 24 hours in Germany and Teddy had never revealed the father. When Megan asked if Teddy knew anything about the sperm donor Teddy gave vague details, tall, red hair, educated, never enough to reveal or give Megan a clue it was Owens baby. She knew if Megan put it together, Megan would be in the next flight to Germany probably with Owen. But someone Teddy trusted had to know of Allison's existence and Teddy had needed a name for if something happened to her where Allison would go. Megan had readily agreed to be Allison's god mother and to be there for her if something happened to Teddy. It gave Teddy peace of mind to know that Allison would be with family.
Teddy's phone rang.
"Megan," Teddy answered.
"Teddy how's my favorite niece," Megan asked.
"Napping," Teddy said.
"How's the nanny search," Megan asked.
" I found a good a little over qualified but that's okay. It's temporary until her teaching credentials come through," Teddy said, " Canadian girl married to an American surgeon. She has a masters in early childhood education. Kindergarten teacher. Her resume and references are excellent. Her school was really sad to see her go."
"How long do you get her," Megan asked.
"Six months," Teddy said, "but Allison can go to day care then so it's okay."
"How are you," Megan asked.
"Same old," Teddy said, "how's Faroke?"
"He's good," Megan said, "loving school this year his teacher is really good. He's doing well at school."
"You should come visit," Teddy said, "bring Faroke out to see me over the summer."
"Maybe," Megan agreed, "you know Owen took another army position in Germany."
"I know," Teddy said, "another reason to come see me. Finally meet Allison."
"She has my middle name and I haven't met her yet," Megan said.
"Her hairs getting pretty red " Teddy admitted.
"The pictures you sent yesterday she looks like you," Megan said, "I'd say strawberry blonde."
"She needs to meet her auntie Megan," Teddy said, "I'm not flying with an infant."
"I'll talk to Nathan with both you and Owen over there we should come visit," Megan said.
"How's Riggs," Teddy asked.
"Good," Megan replied.
They continued chatting until Allison began to cry Teddy said goodbye to Meghan and went to pick Allison up.
"Hi baby," Teddy smiled, "let's get you cleaned up and go for a walk."
Owen looked around his furnished rental. It wasn't his taste and he needed a lot of Leo's things but they were being shipped and should arrive that week.
"Let's find a park little man," Owen said putting Leo's rain coat on. Stepping onto the landing he noticed the stroller was gone. Maybe on their way back from the park he would knock on her door.
Teddy pushed the stroller through the streets talking happily to Allison as they walked through the center of the small city. Teddy popped into a few shops as they walked greeting the people she had gotten to know in the last seven years. She tucked her purchases in the basked under the stroller. This was a perk of the stroller and it was easier to carry her shopping. Across the road she spotted a man she knew and her heart skipped a beat. She turned the stroller down a small lane towards her favorite bakery. She couldn't face Owen. Not yet. Not with their daughter.
Owen saw her across the road at least he though he did. He had always known when Teddy was close something about him just knew. That was her. Her blonde hair loose and her black coat. What he didn't understand was the stroller. He had seen one by her door but Teddy didn't have kids. Maybe she was helping a friend out, she had always liked and wanted them but hadn't had the opportunity to have one. She was smiling at the child in the stroller and talking to them when she suddenly darted down a side street almost an alley.
"Play," Leo called pointing to the play ground at the end of the road.
"We can go play," Owen agreed and took Leo to the playground and watched him play with a few other kids not caring that only one other little boy spoke English. They would both need to learn German and fast.
Teddy thought Owen could have been heading for the park so took another route home bypassing the playground she wasn't ready to see him yet. Monday. 36 hours. She needed to figure out what she was going to tell him.
Owen took Leo home and stopped at the roast chicken place he had been to with Teddy almost two years before for dinner. They ate quickly and he put his son to bed. Owen took out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote a quick note. He stepped onto the landing and slid it under Teddy's door. He hoped it was still Teddy's.
Teddy,
I know its been nearly two years and you haven't called or emailed. I miss you. I know I hurt you and I messed up. I'm sorry. I love you. I have no number for the amount of times I've sat down to write to you or to try to call and I freeze knowing how much I hurt you. I know sorry isn't enough. I will do anything to make it up to you. I need my best friend, my favorite person on the planet back. Teddy you are still my favourite person. I love you and I miss you.
I'm sure you can tell I'm in Germany, in your apartment building by the way this arrived. I took a new job with Medical Command in Germany, the same hospital you're at. I don't know who I'm reporting to yet and won't until monday. They say my new CO is tough and hasn't liked any of the deputies they've had in the last two years. I'm looking forward to seeing you at work again and hopefully being friends again. I didn't come alone. After I came to see you I decided to make my dream of fatherhood a reality. I adopted a son, his name is Leo. Teddy, he is a wonderful little boy and I want you to meet him. He turned two last month. I'm here on a six month trial and have rented an apartment in the same building as yours. I didn't realize it was your building until we arrived today. We're in number 5 right across the landing if you wanted to say hello. Come by any time.
Teddy I know I should have put you first 20 years ago. Teddy it's always been you. I was just to stubborn to see it. I love you. I miss you. Please believe that I am incredibly sorry for what happened that night and the way we left things. I would spend the next 100 years making it up to you just to hear your voice again.
Love,
Owen
Teddy saw the paper under her door and picked it up. She slumped down against the wall and read it once, twice, three times. He still loved her, he missed her. But she had hidden their daughter from him for eighteen months.
Owen walked back to his apartment and saw Leo still asleep. It was only about noon in California so he called Megan.
"Eeyore," Megan greeted, "how's germany?"
"Good," Owen said, "I think I saw Teddy in town."
"You think," Megan asked.
"I didn't talk to her," Owen said, "I havent in almost 2 years."
"You haven't talked to Teddy in how long," Megan asked. Teddy hadn't told her about that neither had Owen and she had chosen to stay out of their always complicated quasi relationship.
"Eighteen months," Owen said, "I tried to call her a few times after that night but she wouldn't answer."
"That night," Megan asked, "Owen what happened?"
"Eighteen months ago after Amelia and I ended it the first time I flew to Germany to see Teddy," Owen said.
"Did you have sex with Teddy," Meghan asked.
"Megan," Owen snapped.
"Yes or no dumb dumb," Megan said.
"I showed up at her place, told her I loved her and it was finally our time then yes we did," Owen said.
Megan froze on the other end. Teddy's baby was almost 9 months. If Owen was there 18 months ago Allison was Owen's she had to be. Teddy said the father wasn't around and didn't know that she was okay on her own. But it was Owen's baby? Allison was really her niece, that's why Teddy had asked Megan to be her guardian if needed. Megan had been confused when Teddy said she hadn't asked Owen but thought Teddy wanted a little girl to have a mom figure.
"Megan," Owen asked,
"You need to talk to her," Megan said.
"I've tried she didn't return my calls," Owen said, "but it's the same hospital so I can try to find her at work."
"Do you know where she lives," Megan asked, "we talk I have her address from doing Christmas cards."
"How is she," Owen asked, " I have her address. It's the same building as mine, across the landing actually. It was a nice place when I went to visit."
"It's beautiful," Megan agreed, "we facetimed earlier today. She looks good. Content."
"I slipped a note under her door," Owen said, "telling her I'm here and that I miss her. I apologize."
"Fight for her Owen," Megan said, "like you've never fought before. You both need to talk. You need to be honest with her about your feelings and about Leo."
"She always wanted kids," Owen said.
"She'll like Leo," Megan assured, "but you haven't talked in months and you don't know what she's been doing. I know she got a promotion she's really in charge."
"So I'm probably answering to her," Owen said.
"Maybe," Megan agreed.
"My CO is a surprise," Owen said, "I meet them Monday at 7:30."
"Try to talk to Teddy before then if your on the same floor," Megan urged.
"Do you know anything about her life," Owen asked.
"She's busy," Megan said, "it's Teddy. She keeps busy always has."
"I thought I saw her pushing a stroller when I saw her in town earlier," Owen said, "she saw me and ducked down an alley."
"Talk to her Owen," Megan said.
"You know something," Owen said.
"You have to talk to Teddy," Megan said.
"She ran away from me," Owen said.
"Then go knock on her door and stay there until she talks," Megan snapped, "I don't get why you let her get away 18 months ago."
"Because I said something careless and hurt her. She threw me out, Megan , she didn't want me," Owen snapped.
"Undo it," Megan groaned, "I thought the point of this was so you could be happy. You adopted a baby, got therapy go get your best friend back. Owen you have to work it out."
"Can you help me," Owen asked.
"I don't know if I can this time," Megan admitted.
"Can you try," Owen asked.
"I told her you're in Germany," Megan said.
"What did she say," Owen asked.
"I think she knew you were coming, she didn't seem shocked," Megan replied.
"Is she okay," Owen asked.
"She's Teddy," Megan replied, "even if she wasn't she wouldn't tell us. She has a cousin living in England. Amanda I think. A few years younger. I think they see each other."
"She's talked about Amanda over the years," Owen said, "math professor I think."
"Yes," Megan agreed, "Teddy only tells me the good things."
"I met Amanda years ago," Owen said, "when Teddy was living in Seattle. Amanda was at UW."
"I've seen her in the background of a couple facetime calls," Megan said, "Teddy was at Amanda's."
"Megan your hiding something," Owen said, "is Teddy sick? What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong," Megan assured.
"Leo is crying I have to go," Owen said.
"Talk to her," Megan urged, "love you Owen."
"Love you two Meg," Owen said, "say hi to Faroke and Riggs for me."
"I will," Megan promised, "give Leo a kiss from auntie Megan."
"I will," Owen said, "talk to you soon."
"Soon," Megan said before hanging up.
She walked onto the deck and looked out at the beach.
"How's Owen." Nathan asked standing beside her.
"In Germany," Megan said, "he saw Teddy but she ran from him."
"Does he know about Allison," Nathan asked.
"They haven't talked in 18 months," Megan said, "I knew they had a fight but not like that."
"18 months how old is Allison," Nathan asked.
"Almost 9 months," Megan said, "he told me why they fought or are fighting. 18 months ago he flew to Germany professed his love for her then he said something stupid and she kicked him out."
"Is Allison," Nathan began.
"I think it's possible," Megan said, "Teddy was never the type to just sleep with anyone. She hasn't said much other than the dad doesn't know about Allison. She said he's taller than her, red hair and educated."
"It's your brother," Nathan said.
"Allison's middle name," Meghan said.
"What," Nathan said.
"Allison Eloise Altman," Megan said, "Teddy said for her two best friends ever."
"Aren't you her guardian if anything happens to Teddy," Nathan said.
"Teddy said she wanted someone who could be a mom for her," Megan said, "Owen did say they slept together."
"Does he know about Allison," Nathan asked.
"No," Megan said, "I don't think she knows about Leo. He's living in the same building as she is. They'll see each other sooner than later."
"Work," Nathan said.
"Exactly," Megan said, "I want to ask her if Allison is Owen's. But why would she lie to us?"
"We don't know but I think so," Nathan said.
"It hadn't crossed my mind," Megan said.
"Do you have pictures," Nathan asked.
"Teddy sent me two yesterday," Megan said.
Megan showed Nathan the pictures.
"She looks like Teddy," Nathan said, "but is her hair reddish?"
"Teddy thinks so," Megan replied.
"I don't see any Hunt in her," Nathan said.
"Neither do I," Megan said, "but Teddy made her father sound like it was a one night stand."
"If he was there for one night it was," Nathan said.
"She would have told us," Megan said.
"Aren't you auntie Megan," Nathan said.
"I said that because it's Teddy's baby," Meghan said, " I need to send a couple things to her. I guess I should send some things for Leo two."
"Care packages," Nathan said.
"Yes," Megan said, "maybe send some treats for Owen and Teddy."
"Put things in the wrong boxes," Nathan said, "make them talk to switch it."
"Devious," Megan said, "that would require more time."
"You still could," Nathan said, "it would be funny. The more we force them together?"
"I told him to talk to her," Megan said, "he has to try first. Then I'll intervene. Teddy invited us to visit."
"We could visit," Nathan said.
"See Leo, Owen and Teddy," Megan smiled, "finally meet Allison."
"Plan it for when school's out," Nathan said, "I'll book flights you talk to Owen or Teddy."
"I will," Megan agreed.