A couple days later Teddy sat in her office waiting for a phone call to start.
"Colonel Altman," her secretary appeared at her door.
"Yes corporal," Teddy replied.
"There's a Dr Christina Yang asking for you ma'am," the secretary said.
"Bring her in," Teddy replied.
"Yes ma'am," the secretary said.
Moments later Christina appeared in the door.
"Christina," Teddy smiled standing up from her desk.
"Teddy," Christina greeted enthusiastically.
Teddy met her old student in the doorway with a hug, "it's good to see you."
"It's good to see you two," Christina agreed.
"Sit," Teddy commanded.
"Still bossing me around," Christina teased.
"I'm the colonel," Teddy replied, "what brings you here?"
"I finally had some time off," Chrisitina said, "Mer isn't up to travelling with her kids so I came here to surprise you. I need it after the last couple years."
"The last couple years have been something else," Teddy agreed.
"How did you guys make out," Christina asked.
"I worked from home then was on maternity leave through the worst of it," Teddy replied.
"Maternity leave," Christina said, "you have two kids now?"
"Owen and I have three," Teddy replied, "Leo is 4, Allison is 3 and Daniel is 1."
"Three," Christina said, "so Owen is still here?"
"His office is next door," Teddy replied, "we have three kids."
"Is he doing okay," Christina asked, "are you and him?"
"Engaged," Teddy replied, "for two years now."
"And staying with the army," Christina asked.
"For now," Teddy agreed, "we're in a good place for our careers. We like military work."
"I actually came to talk to you about something personal," Christina said.
"Oh," Teddy replied, "what can I do Christina?"
"How did you manage being a single mom with Allison and running a hospital," Christina asked.
"It was a challenge," Teddy admitted, "why are you asking?"
"I'm pregnant," Christina said, "I found out a couple months ago."
"Does anyone know," Teddy asked.
"Mer does," Christina said, "she's going to come out in February with her kids and Cormac."
"How far along," Teddy asked.
"16 weeks," Christina said.
"The dad," Teddy asked, instantly concerned for her friend and student.
"Not in the picture," Christina asked, "and not in the he's my best friend but I didn't tell him way."
"Christina," Teddy said, "you'll let us know if you need anything?"
"Us," Christina said.
"We will both help," Teddy replied, "both Owen and I have single-parented Owen might not take this well though. Does the dad know?"
"He does," Christina said, "it was a casual thing. I'm wondering if you have a cardio surgeon for a few months for me? Just to take over my surgeries."
"Don't you have more than I do," Teddy asked.
"I need someone who can command," Christina said, "three months."
"Only Nathan Riggs, but my brother in law won't go," Teddy replied, "he's my only non military cardio surgeon."
"Brother in law," Christina asked.
"He's engaged to Megan Hunt," Teddy replied, "they have two kids. He's a cardio attending and she's my head of trauma."
"Owen isn't head of trauma," Chrsitina asked.
"He's chief of surgery," Teddy replied, "that was before we were together when I took Cheif of Staff. Megan was my request."
"When Allison was a baby how did you do it," Christina asked, "you were alone. I remember seeing her only a couple months old."
"I saw you when I was pregnant with her," Teddy replied.
"You wouldn't drink with me," Christina replied, "I could always count on you to have a few drinks."
"It's only a few months," Teddy replied, "I hardly drink anymore. Owen and I might have a glass on the weekend when the kids go to bed or if we have people over but with kids you don't really drink."
"Mer says the same thing," Christina said, "but as soon as it's out of me I'm having a glass of wine."
"I said the same thing, she was 6 months old before I did," Teddy replied, "hire help ahead of time. You need someone to come do house work for you the first couple weeks while you're exhausted and getting to know them."
"I'm hiring a nanny," Christina said.
"We have one on call but the kids go to preschool and daycare most days," Teddy replied, "Leo will go to the school on the base in the fall for kindergarten."
Teddy's secretary appeared in the door again, "ma'am there's a Jordan Altman here for you."
"Tell my brother I'll talk to him later," Teddy replied, "I'm in a meeting."
"Brother," Christina said.
"We hadn't talked in 20 years then he appeared about a week ago," Teddy replied, "it's good. Yang, don't worry about my twin brother."
"You're a twin," Christina gasped.
"Fraternal, I'm older," Teddy replied, "his name is Jordan."
"Christina," Owen said looking surprised , letting himself into Teddy's office, he was the only person who would just walk into her office.
"Owen," Christina greeted, they were on okay terms now.
"What brought you here," Owen asked.
"I needed to talk to Teddy in person," Christina replied, "so I showed up demanding a meeting with her."
"How long are you in town," Owen asked.
"Today," Christina replied, "it's an easy trip back to Zurich, I was just in Berlin."
"What brings you here," Owen asked, he sometimes found it a bit odd that his fiancé and ex wife were friends but at the same time he had introduced them 15 years before when he was dating Christina. Teddy and Christina had become friends instead of teacher and student after Christina moved to Zurich. They had run into each other at conferences and would have a few drinks and catch up then over the years became friends. Christina, according to Teddy, had been one of the first to know Teddy was expecting Allison.
"I was on my way home from a meeting in Berlin and decided to stop here and see Teddy," Christina said, she knew that revealing why she wanted to talk to Teddy could be touchy territory.
"We haven't seen you since February of 2020," Owen agreed, "how's Zurich?"
"Good," Christina said, "busy and about to get busier."
"Expanding Klausman," Owen asked.
"Always," Chrisitna agreed.
"Should we all do drinks later," Owen suggested, he would never love Christina, had never loved Christina the way he loved Teddy but he still respected Christina.
"Why don't you come over and see the kids," Teddy said to Christina, "I'll order take out."
"My train leaves at 6," Christina replied.
"Yang," Teddy asked.
"Teddy I'm fine," Chrisitina said, "you haven't been my teacher in 10 years."
"You'll always be my student and I get to care about you," Teddy replied, "are you doing okay?"
"Better now," Christina said, "I'm talking to Mer."
"Then why did you come see us," Teddy asked.
"I haven't seen you in like 2 years," Christina said, "but if you can run a whole hospital with three I can do it with one."
"One what," Owen asked.
"Baby," Christina said.
Owen turned and walked out of Teddy's office. Teddy jumped to her feet, followed him into his office and closed the door behind her. Owen flopped in his chair while Teddy sat on his desk.
"That now," Owen said, "after she killed our baby?"
"That's why she came to see me," Teddy said, "I was going to tell you as soon as we were alone. Owen, you can be mad."
"She killed our baby, a child I wanted," Owen said looking dejected.
"I know," Teddy said, "I was there for the whole thing. I know how much you wanted that baby. How much you've always wanted kids."
"I thought I was over that, it's 10 years ago," Owen growled.
"I know," Teddy said, "it can still bother you. It wasn't easy for you."
"It ended our marriage," Owen snapped.
"I know," Teddy said, "she hurt you in ways I could never imagine with that. Owen, we can ask her to leave. She's not here professionally."
"Did you ever consider," Owen started.
"No," Teddy said, "Allison, Daniel, Joshua the moment I knew they were growing I wanted and loved them. Owen it was never a thought in my mind to do that to my babies to our babies. Our kids were always going to be our kids."
"Always," Owen asked.
"Always," Teddy promised, "our kids, our family are the best things I've done. Do you want me to go ask Christina to leave?"
"I'll be okay," Owen said.
"I'm surprised," Teddy said, "she did grow up eventually."
"Can you go then I'll come," Owen asked.
Teddy slipped off his desk and wrapped him in a hug, "breath major."
"They'd be 11 now," Owen mumbelled.
"I know, Joshua would be 10," Teddy replied.
"Taylor," Owen whispered, "I named them Taylor in my head because it's unisex."
"Taylor and Joshua are together in heaven," Teddy whispered, "breathe and take your time. I'll go get rid of Yang."
Owen nodded into her shoulder before letting go of Teddy.
Teddy strode back into her office, "Yang."
"He didn't take that well," Christina said.
"No," Teddy admitted, "my schedule is packed today. I really can't do a social visit."
"You want me to leave," Christina asked.
"I don't know why you came to see me," Teddy replied, "you could have called or emailed. You've never wanted my input on your personal life before. You know Owen and I are engaged and have three kids. You know how he would feel about your baby. I'm happy for you and you'll figure it out I would say tell the dad."
"I was just looking at all the photos," Christina said.
"I like having our family photos up," Teddy replied, "Christina you need to go."
"Why," Christina asked.
"You know why," Teddy replied, "call or email me but don't just show up here. Not after that."
"I didn't think I wanted kids then," Christina said, "I didn't want one until now. Teddy you can't hold it against me."
"My Fiancé is hurt, it's something that will always affect him," Teddy replied.
"He always told you more than he told me," Chrsitina whined.
"He's my person," Teddy replied, "seriously I have a surgery in 30 minutes so you need to go."
"Can I scrub in," Christina asked.
"No," Teddy replied, "I'm supervising a resident, she's doing it all."
"Teddy," Chrsitina tried.
"Goodbye Dr Yang," Teddy replied.
Teddy's secretary appeared at her door again, "ma'am."
"Yes corporal," Teddy replied, "can you show Dr Yang out."
"I've been sent to get you for a community case," the secretary replied.
"What happened," Teddy asked, shifting to work mode.
"Factory accident," the secretary replied.
"Where are they," Teddy asked.
"On route," the secretary replied.
"I'll meet them in the pit," Teddy replied, "have the Hunts ready."
"Trauma teams were paged," the secretary replied.
Teddy grabbed her scrub cap and began running for the emergency room.
Teddy worked though the factory accident with Owen she knew he was off the whole time.
As they scrubbed out Teddy suggested, "why don't you get the kids ans go home?"
"What," Owen asked.
"Your head isn't here Owen," Teddy said, "your angry at Yang. Go get our kids, hold our babies and enjoy them. I'm sending you home."
"Teddy," Owen said, "she just caught me off guard. It would be 11 years next week."
"I don't know Owen," Teddy replied, "you almost took Mooneys head off for a simple mistake. He dropped a suture. Go home amd get it together."
"Please Teddy," Owen tried.
Teddy took both of his hands in hers, "I'm not saying this as your CO. Owen I'm saying this as your fiancé your head isn't in the game today and that's okay. I think you should go home. Get the kids and go to the park, go home on your own and wallow, go for a run. Take the rest of the day for you to process that. Don't tell me your okay. Owen I know you're not."
"I'm going," Owen said habit his head.
"Hey," Teddy said hugging him, "your okay Hunt. Owen your okay, we're okay the kids are good."
Owen held Teddy close and nodded.
"I'll go," Owen whispered.
"I'll see you at home," Teddy agreed.
"Were you meeting Jordan," Owen asked.
"I don't want to," Teddy replied, "I'd rather be with you and the kids."
"You should see your brother," Owen said.
"I'd rather have you," Teddy said.
"I'll be with the kids," Owen replied.
"Are you sure," Teddy asked.
"Go find out why he's really here," Owen said.
"Okay," Teddy said taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders.
"Don't let him intimidate you," Owen said, "your Teddy Altman."
A couple hours later Teddy walked through the street to the restaurant where she was to meet her brother. She had run home and changed but chose to leave her hair up.
"Sargent Dyer," Teddy called seeing the younger woman walking down the street with a stroller.
"Hello ma'am," Julia greeted.
"Is this Brynne," Teddy asked.
"It is ma'am," Julia smiled.
"May I say hello," Teddy asked.
"She's grumpy today but you can," Julia smiled folding back the top of the stroller.
"Hello gorgeous," Teddy smiled at the baby, "Julia she's beautiful."
"Thank you ma'am," Julia smiled.
"Julia what have I said about calling me ma'am when we're talking about kids," Teddy asked gently.
"Sorry Teddy it's a hard thing to do because you're you," Julia said.
"Another mom is another mom," Teddy reminded, "there's not enough of us here."
"Teddy," Jordan bellowed.
"Excuse my brother," Teddy said to Julia.
"You have a brother," Julia asked.
"Twin actually," Teddy replied.
Jordan approached.
"Sargent Julia Dyer this is my brother Jordan Altman," Teddy introduced, "Jor this is one of the most promising cardio suregons ive ever seen she will be great."
"Ma'am," Julia said.
"I'm seeing Yang levels of greatness," Teddy said.
"I heard she was here today," Julia said.
"Social call for Owen and I," Teddy answered, "we trained her in Seattle."
"You trained Christina Yang," Julia asked.
"She was my resident for three years," Teddy said, "all her first solos were with me, transplant, valves, the Altman method I've published she was my resident on the first. She was my right hand in the OR. I can train you to be I can get you to the same spot she was as a resident and fellow if you stick with me."
"So no more babies," Julia asked.
"If that's what you want we will work with it," Teddy said, "I wish I had my three sooner."
"Brynne is enough," Julia said.
"The first one is hardest," Teddy replied, "when they're this little it's a lot. She is beautiful."
"Thank you," Julia smiled, "she's getting big."
"They grow fast," Jordan commented.
"Says the man with 13 kids," Teddy teased.
"I know you disagree with us," Jordan said.
"Julia we should go," Teddy said, "I promised my brother dinner."
"Have a good night ma'am," Julia replied.
"You as well," Teddy answered.
Teddy and Jordan walked quietly to where she had planned for them to have dinner, it was a quieter restaurant off the beaten path.
They made quiet conversation about their kids and spouses. Jordan realized that while Teddy wasn't formally married to Owen they were in every sense a married couple.
"Jordan why did you come," Teddy asked, "something isn't right."
Jordan took a deep breath, "I needed to see you before…"
"Before what," Teddy asked.
"Thea I have colon cancer," Jordan said.
"How bad," Teddy asked.
"Stage two," Jordan said.
"What are they doing," Teddy asked.
"Nothing," Jordan said, "Faith doesn't know. I wanted to see you and your family and spend some time with Max."
"Is it treatable," Teddy asked.
"They suggested surgery and chemo but," Jordan said.
"Do it," Teddy said.
"We're not insured," Jordan said, "I can't afford it."
"Let's see what we can help with," Teddy replied.
"Thea," Jordan said, "it's my escape. I don't know what Faith and the kids will do but I can't keep living the way I do."
"Let me make some calls," Teddy replied, "I have connections. Klausman is one of the best research institutions in the world and I trained their director. Yang would help us out. We have connections at Grey Sloan in Seattle."
"Can you," Jordan asked.
"I can't operate," Teddy replied, "Owen possibly. Jordan you can get help and the care you need is possible. Let me help."
"Faith, the kids," Jordan said, "I can't stay in that life anymore."
"I can help," Teddy said, "give me a few days. We'll take emergency personal leave and come home with you and get it set up."
"If I leave faith," Jordan asked.
"We'll help," Teddy replied, "but who do you have for support there? I can take a couple weeks to get you set up."
"My older kids," Jordan suggested.
"You have to tell them," Teddy said, "I want to see the tests and talk to your doctor."
"I've chosen palliative care," Jordan said, "Thea I want to be with mom and dad."
"No," Teddy said, "it's treatable. You're too young. We're too young."
"It's what killed dad," Jordan said.
"20 years ago," Teddy said, "at least let me talk to Klausman. Yang is a bit annoyed with me right now but we can get help."
"How," Jordan said, "Thea I can't tell my wife. You are the only person who knows."
"You're my twin," Teddy said, "we can work this out. Owen and I can help. Jordan, I'm a doctor. I can't leave you now and let you give up. There are ways."
"What ways," Jordan asked.
"Let me call some friends to see if someone will do your surgery," Teddy said, "get you on a trial for the rest."
"I can't ask you to after I shut you out," Jordan said.
"I'm offering," Teddy said, "have you looked into Medicare or Medicaid?"
"We're eligible," Jordan said.
"Take it," Teddy answer.
"Its wrong," Jordan said.
"No," Teddy said, "we've been here long enough to be part of their heath care system and the military one. Germany, all of europe healthcare is a right, Canada. Jordan take the help and get treatment."
"What about George," Jordan asked.
"You're getting the help you need to live," Teddy said, "Jordan fight to live. Fight for your family."
"George won't like me taking help," Jordan said, "he didn't even like when Faith had a few of the kids in the hospital."
"Jordan," Teddy said.
"We have nothing if we go against him," Jordan said, "we own the business but not our land, not the shop."
"Jordan take the help," Teddy replied, "we can help you and Faith find somewhere to rent. How many of the kids are at home?"
"Ten," Jordan replied.
"Can anyone move out," Teddy replied, "over 18?"
"Sarah and Bryn," Jordan replied.
"What are they doing," Teddy asked.
"Sarah is trying to get into nursing," Jordan said.
"I have a way," Teddy replied.
"What Max did," Jordan asked.
"Yes," Teddy replied.
"How do I tell her," Jordan asked.
"Just tell her it's an option and give her my number," Teddy suggested, "do they have jobs? Could they be roommates?"
"Yes," Jordan said, "Thea is there a chance? This is what killed dad."
"Dad was stage 4 when he was diagnosed," Teddy said, "this is stage 2. Jordan take the chance and the options."
"How," Jordan asked.
"You talk to your doctor and do the paperwork," Teddy said, "you call me for any questions. Owen and I will come out when you have your surgery and talk to the surgeon and explain things to Faith. Help her with your kids."
"Thea," Jordan said, "I was an ass to you."
"It was a long time ago," Teddy said, she reached for her brothers hand, "Jor I forgive you. I forgave you a long time ago. I know everything that happened that year wasn't easy for both of us and we dealth with it our own ways. I forgive you. Jordan you're my brother, we're twins, I knew you from the moment we first existed. I love you and I forgive you."
"Thea," Jordan said.
"We're family," Teddy said, "that year was hard. Grief makes people do things they wouldn't otherwise."
"I shouldn't have pushed you away," Jordan said, "I'm sorry Thea."
"I stopped fighting two Jor," Teddy replied, "I shouldn't have stopped."
"I miss them," Jordan said.
"I do two," Teddy agreed, "I want mom to hold my kids and read to them. Dad to sing to them."
"They know," Jordan assured, "Thea they would be so proud of you. When I saw you the other day I didn't recognize you. Max pointed you out to me."
"We've aged," Teddy said.
"I've aged," Jordan said, "you haven't."
"I have," Teddy said, "different lives."
"Did I make the right choice," Jordan asked.
"I don't know," Teddy replied, "that's for you to decide. I am always here how ever you need."
"Thank you," Jordan said.
"It's getting late," Teddy said, "I should go kiss my kids goodnight and tuck them in. You need to go tell Max."
"Thank you for being here," Jordan said.
"I'm here and we will get you the help you need," Teddy replied, "use my name to get pushy if you have to. Tell them to call me."
Teddy paid for dinner and they hugged good night.
Teddy walked into her apartment and helped Owen tuck in the kids.
"How was Jordan," Owen asked, "did you learn why hes here?"
"Colon cancer, stage two," Teddy said, "I convinced him to get help and accept medicaid and medicare."
"Not insured," Owen asked.
"No," Teddy said, "and 10 kids at home."
"We can help," Owen said.
"I've told him we would," Teddy said.
"You want to go," Owen said.
"I've offered," Teddy said, "we will go if they ask us to. My brother is stubborn, we'll help how he wants us to."
"We were there with Megan," Owen said, "you flew to Seattle for us. If you want to be by Jordan's side through this we will go. We will take the time and our kids and go."
"Thank you," Teddy replied.
"What ever happens we will do this as a team," Owen said, "we will be together."
Teddy nodded and Owen pulled her into his arms and held her.