They were settling into a new routine with Owen having moved into Teddy's apartment, the house was sometimes chaotic with two toddlers running around and leaving toys everywhere. Teddy was folding laundry as Leo tried to take things back out of the basket.
"Leo," Teddy said, "you need to leave daddy's work clothes in the basket."
"What is he doing," Owen asked.
"Taking your uniform out of the basket and trying to put your jacket on," Teddy said.
"Let him," Owen said.
"I'm trying to fold laundry," Teddy sighed.
They looked back at Leo and he had Owen's jacket on.
"Where's my phone," Teddy asked.
"Counter," Owen said before passing it to her.
Teddy snapped a photo of it and put it in their family chat with Evelyn, Meghan and Nathan with the caption "playing dress up in Daddy's uniform"
"One day," Evelyn said.
"Just like daddy," Meghan typed, "he's grown again."
"He is," Owen said.
Teddy noticed movement on the other side of the couch she spun and yelled, "Owen she's walking."
Owen switched his phone into camera mode and filmed Allison walking to Teddy.
"Come here baby girl," Teddy called as Allison walked towards her.
"Mama," Allison said.
"Come on baby girl your walking come to mommy," Teddy coaxed.
Allison toddled into Teddy's arms.
"I got it," Owen said before posting the video for their family to see.
"Wow," Nathan said.
"Look out you two," Evelyn added, "give that little peanut a kiss for me."
"She's gotten so big," Meghan said.
Owen snapped another picture of Teddy hugging the two kids but just shared it with her.
"I'm printing that," Teddy said, "I don't have a good one of me with the two of them in my office."
"You have our first hike," Owen said.
"I have the four of us, me with one or the other, the kids but not me and the kids," Teddy said, "I like this one."
The picture was cute with Teddy kneeling on the floor in front of the fire place with both kids in her arms smiling at them with them smiling back at her.
After dinner that night Teddy printed the photo and cut it out ready to tuck in her purse for the next day to put up in her office. They spent the afternoon playing with the kids and getting ready for the week.
Monday morning they dropped the kids at daycare and walked to work. Teddy sat in her office going through paperwork when her secretary appeared at her door.
"Ma'am," the young soldier said.
"Yes," Teddy replied, "what is it corporal?"
"Dr Williams to see you ma'am," the corporal said.
"Bring her in," Teddy replied. She put her papers away and checked she looked okay.
Teddy stood and went to the door.
"Claire," Teddy asked.
"Teddy," Claire replied
"Come have a seat," Teddy said, showing her old friend into her office.
Claire took a seat, "so you did join the army. You were practically a socialist when we met."
"I had to avenge her," Teddy replied.
"We all did," Claire said.
"Your here to teach for the week," Teddy asked.
"Me and Clara," Claire said.
"What have you been doing," Teddy asked.
"We have a small practice in her hometown," Claire said, "I had to get out of New York it hurt too much."
"One reason I left, " Teddy agreed.
"Have you been in the army the whole time," Claire asked.
"Five years, then three in Seattle and back here 7 years," Teddy said.
"The kids in the pictures," Claire asked.
"Mine," Teddy smiled, "two and a half and just over a year. Leo and Allison."
"Allison," Claire asked, "you named your daughter Allison."
"She was my best friend," Teddy said.
"I knew," Claire said, "I knew the whole time."
"I'm sorry," Teddy said, "I regret how we handled that. That was wrong Claire I'm sorry. It's one of the two things I regret most in my life."
"You loved her," Claire said, "how could I be mad at someone who loved her. I forgave both of you a long time ago. Does your husband know?"
"Not my husband," Teddy said.
"But the man in the pictures," Claire said.
"Owen," Teddy replied, "the chief of surgery here. He's Allison's father. We've known eachother since I left New York."
"Not Leo's dad," Claire said.
"Leo is Owen's son," Teddy replied, "he's adopted."
"Have you been together long," Claire asked.
"Four months now," Teddy replied, "it's a long story. He didn't even know Allison existed until he came here to work for me."
"What," Claire asked.
"We had a night together and then when I found out I took time off and almost quit then went to see him in Seattle. He was back with his ex wife and they had Leo and another foster kid," Teddy replied, "I left. He never called me back or emailed so I didn't think he cared. His sister knew Allison exists and is her guardian if anything happens. I had to have a plan if I got sent back into the field."
"How did you tell him," Claire asked.
"His first day working here I had him for dinner and introduced Allison to Daddy," Teddy replied.
"How did he take it," Claire asked, "how old was your daughter?"
"Nine months and he just hugged us," Teddy said, "some discussions but he always wanted kids. I always wanted kids."
Claire examined the photos by the desk again, "both those babies could be yours."
"We are a family," Teddy agreed, "we're happy. You'll meet Owen soon. You'll work with him as well. Tall redhead Major Hunt."
Owen, walking past to go to his own office stuck his head in the door, seeing she had a guest he kept it formal, "Colonel Altman."
"Come in Owen," Teddy said, "Owen this is dr Claire Williams. Claire major Owen Hunt he's a trauma surgeon."
"It's nice to meet you. I've heard lots of stories," Owen said.
"Door please," Teddy commanded.
Owen closed the door and pulled the second chair to the end of the desk, Teddy subtly reached to take his hand. Owen smiled seeing the pictures of their family on the wall by her desk, new born Allison, the kids in the snow, their first family hike, Owen with the kids in the pool, the four of them with his mom, Owen, Teddy and Meghan all in uniform from her visit. It was the two from the day before of Teddy and the two kids and Leo in Owens jacket that made him happiest today. The wall beside her desk looked like any moms office.
"Are you two happy," Claire asked.
"We are," Owen said, "your here for a week Dr. Williams?"
"I am," Claire confirmed.
Teddy's phone rang on her desk and she saw the daycare number.
"Hello," Teddy answered.
"This is Diana from the day care," the voice said, "we need some one to get Allison and Leo."
"What's wrong with the kids," Teddy asked.
"Both have slight fevers Allison 100 and Leo 99," Diana said.
"One of us will come and take them home," Teddy replied, "thank you for calling."
"Are the kids okay," Owen asked.
"Fevers," Teddy replied, "they need to go home. One of us has to go."
"You should," Owen said, "she'll only want you."
"I'm lecturing at 3:30," Teddy said.
"My last surgery is at noon," Owen said, "I can leave at 2:30 and trade you."
"I can walk them down, it's only ten minutes and the fresh air is good," Teddy said.
"Can I help," Claire offered.
"Your lecturing," Teddy said, "Owen will show you to the lecture hall. I'm going to go get the kids and get them settled."
"Are you okay," Owen asked.
"I'll let you know when I see the kids," Teddy replied.
Teddy gathered her things and let her secretary know she was going to get her sick children from daycare but to call her if anything urgent came up.
Teddy jogged to the day care and signed both out at home she settled Leo on the couch with a sippy cup of water and Peppa Pig. She sat in the chair and fed Allison knowing that would help build up her immune system and bring the fever down. Teddy was on the fence about giving them medication yet.
Owen scrubbed out and called Teddy, "how are the kids?"
"Still warm but eating and drinking," Teddy said, "I haven't given them anything yet. I'm on the fence."
"Just do it he'll need it to nap," Owen said.
"I will," Teddy said, "I'm her human soother right now."
"I can get some one else to take my surgery," Owen said, "come home and help."
"They're okay," Teddy said, "fluids, rest, cuddles."
"I'm passing it to a fellow and coming home," Owen said, "you sound stressed."
"I'm fine," Teddy lied.
"I'm just going to update the chart and come home," Owen said, "half an hour. Do I need to get anything?"
"Apple juice," Teddy said, "I just gave Leo the last of it."
Owen finished his chart and signed out explaining that his children were sick but to call if needed. He grabbed the juice on the way home as well as one of Teddy's favourite snacks.
"What's wrong," Owen asked as he came in.
"Her fever is coming down," Teddy said, "she's super clingy it's like having a newborn again. I tried to put her in the crib."
"I'll take her you go grab water and a snack," Owen said.
Owen scooped Allison out of Teddys arms when she went to stand Leo whispered, "mommy don't leave."
"I'm just going to the bathroom, I'll be right back," Teddy assured, "2 minutes Leo. I will be right back, I always come back I promise."
Owen took Teddy's spot on the couch.
"I want mommy," Leo whined.
"She'll be right back monster," Owen said.
Teddy returned from the washroom and brought her waterbottle to the couch. As soon as she sat down Leo crawled into her lap. Soon the two kids were asleep in their parents arms.
"Are you sure you're okay," Owen asked.
Teddy leaned back against the arm of the couch holding Leo and asked, "what have I told you about the first Allison?"
"That she was your best friend, the best friend you had until you met me," Owen said, "you lived with Allison and Claire. Allison was in the second tower. I think you were half in love with her. You used to talk about her the same way you would talk about Henry."
Teddy took a deep breath, "I was. Looking back now I was looking for anyone who could make me feel seen. I had just lost my parents and was totally alone. I had Claire and Allison. Honestly she was my best friend that yes I experimented with a couple times when we were drunk."
"You named our baby after your fling," Owen asked.
"I named her after one of the two best friends I've ever had," Teddy said, "a boy would have been Daniel Owen."
"Why," Owen asked, "why would you choose Allison?"
"She was my best friend," Teddy said, "she cared about me when I was totally alone. Without my Allison I would never have enlisted, never have met you, or gone to Seattle, never come here, we wouldn't have our Allison."
"I think you told me years ago or it came out in a game of never have I ever when we were drunk," Owen said, "it sounds familiar."
"I don't think there's anything I haven't told you," Teddy said.
"I know," Owen said, "I know you. You always wanted to name your daughter Allison."
"I did," Teddy said, "now your going to panic and get mad at me and go back to Seattle and take both kids."
"I'm here," Owen said, " I'm not going anywhere. I don't like thinking of you with anyone else."
"You can't talk there," Teddy said.
"I know," Owen said, "you're panicking."
"Just a little," Teddy admitted, "I can't lose you. I can't lose our kids. Everyone leaves me. Anyone I love disappears."
"I'm not going anywhere," Owen said, "Teddy look at me. This is our life, us and our kids."
"If I had known Claire was coming I would have passed it off," Teddy said, "but its a week."
"And you could stay home with sick babies," Owen said.
"One of us is tomorrow but I have a nine am meeting with the general," Teddy replied, "I have to. And I know he got our form so I have to be there. I have to tell him about Allison and that she was born almost a year before you were working here. He was trying to get me to tell him her father's name to make sure someone hadn't taken advantage of me. General Smith thought someone had pushed me because as far as he knew I was a widow who didn't date."
"That was eight years ago," Owen said
"I know," Teddy replied, "almost nine but it was easier. Henry was considered for a boys name. But it was our son and Dan Mooney, was a big influence for us and taught both of us so much."
"Daniel is Leo's middle name," Owen said, "I gave it to him when I adopted him."
"Owen I don't want to face Claire but I think I have to," Teddy said.
"Do you want me there," Owen asked.
"I don't think that will help," Teddy said, "she saw our kids."
"You have a lot of pictures up now," Owen said.
"I like having my family there," Teddy said, "and it makes me less intimidating."
"What do you want to do about Claire," Owen asked.
"We should talk," Teddy said, "but I don't want to. She's caught up in 9/11, enlisting, people getting blown up, Megan. She's tied up with a lot of my triggers. I can't go there Owen. It's not good for me, you or the kids it's not healthy. She's here for a week."
Teddy's phone buzzed on the table and she answered it, "hello?"
"Teddy it's Claire," Claire said.
"Hi," Teddy said, "how did you get this number?"
"One of your surgeons," Claire replied, "how are your kids doing?"
"Asleep now," Teddy replied, "both running low grade fevers, probably just a virus but I'll keep them home tomorrow."
"The other soldier that was in your office this morning is their father," Claire said.
"Major Hunt," Teddy replied, "Owen is their dad. He just got home."
"Can you do a drink with me tonight," Claire asked.
"I don't know," Teddy said, "both are really clingy."
"Can he stay with them," Claire asked.
"Not today," Teddy said, "I need to be with my kids."
"I still can't believe your a mom," Claire said, "you could hardly keep plants alive."
"Right now I have a two year old sleeping on me who cries if I stand up to get him more apple juice," Teddy said.
"Before I go home," Claire asked.
"I don't know," Teddy replied, "I might be able to do coffee between meetings. We like to be home with the kids at night."
"Your partner can stay with them," Claire said.
"Not tonight," Teddy said, "sick babies need their mom."
"Will you be able to see my lecture tomorrow," Claire asked.
"It depends on the kids," Teddy admitted, "I'll try. I have a meeting at 9:30 with my CO and a surgery I bumped today so we'll see."
Allison began to cry, hearing the baby Claire said, "it sounds like you're needed. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll come find you " Teddy said before hanging up.
"Your meeting her," Owen asked.
"Coffee at work," Teddy decided, "maybe later in the week. We'll see how the kids do."
"I'll stay home," Owen said.
"Allison will want me," Teddy said.
As Teddy stood up off the couch to go get Allison Leo began to cry. Owen scooped the toddler into his arms and began to whisper to him. Teddy brought Allison back to the couch and soon both kids were curled up against her.
Both Owen and Teddy spent Tuesday home with sick kids. Both had gotten worse Monday after dinner. Both parents felt bad leaving sick kids home with the other so instead of switching off they called in and explained why.
Wednesday morning Teddy pushed the stroller to day care on her own as Owen had an early surgery.
"Teddy," Claire called seeing Teddy on the road and jogging to catch up.
"Claire," Teddy said.
"Can I see your Allison," Claire asked.
"This is Allison and Leo," Teddy said.
"I never thought I would see you with a double stroller," Claire said, "they're very cute."
"Thank you," Teddy said, "I hope she gets some of Allison's spirit."
"Tell her about who she was named after," Claire said.
"I will," Teddy agreed, "this is day care I can meet you at the hospital you're with me on my first surgery."
"I can wait," Claire offered.
Teddy signed the kids in and nervously met her old roommate.
"Hands full," Claire asked.
"Owen had an early surgery," Teddy said, "we both stayed home with them yesterday."
"Teddy why did you do it," Claire asked.
Teddy looked shocked.
"I joined the army to help save the people avenging her death," Teddy said, "honestly I was vulnerable and lonely and not thinking clearly at all."
"And since you left," Claire said, "we all left New York all our friends."
"Army then to Seattle and I married a great guy but he passed 18 months after we got married so I came back here and I've been here about 8 years now, " Teddy said.
"So," Claire said.
"That was a one person thing," Teddy replied choosing her words carefully.
"I said it the other day I can't be mad at someone who loved Allison," Claire said, "you names your daughter for her."
"My Allison reminds me more of her auntie Meghan, Owen's sister than anyone," Teddy said, "Owen knows why I named her Allison."
"He didn't help pick names," Claire asked.
"We weren't exactly together at the time," Teddy said, "he didn't know until a few months ago when he came here to work for me."
"You hid your baby," Claire asked.
"Its a long story," Teddy said, "I have a few things to do before our surgery I think your teaching right away?"
"I am," Claire replied, "we haven't operated together in years."
"Decades," Teddy replied, "it's different here. A lot of yes ma'am and no ma'am. Good surgeons though or they will be."
"Your Owen what is he," Claire asked.
"Owen," Teddy replied, "damm good trauma surgeon, the best I've ever seen. My right hand running this place."
"Away from here," Claire asked.
"Boyfriend, father of my children," Teddy said, "we live together. Our place is small but it works for us. Kids stuff everywhere a mountain of laundry to fold by my couch but I wouldn't change it. Leo keeps playing dress up in our uniforms."
"That must be precious," Claire said.
"It is," Teddy replied, showing Claire the picture.
"That is cute," Claire said.
They had reached the hospital and Teddy turned to go to her office, "see you later."