The morning of the wedding the house was too quiet for Teddy's liking. Megan had stayed with her Allison and Cassie the night before with all of the boys and men going to Evelyn's. Evelyn had instead that Teddy and Owen be apart the night before the wedding.
"You're dressed and showered already," Megan asked when she wandered into the kitchen.
"The girls are eating," Teddy smiled, "you needed to rest."
"It's your wedding day. I'm supposed to do all this for you," Megan argued.
"Megan, you haven't been feeling great still," Teddy said, "I can get the girls up and fed. They woke me up looking for breakfast anyway. I had two giggle monsters crawling into my bed."
"Allison still crawls into your bed," Megan asked.
"All three," Teddy said, "they're getting better about only on weekends. They come in to wake us up with stuffed animals and blankies."
"And my brother goes for it," Megan asked.
"We won't get this for much longer," Teddy shrugged, "Leo less and less."
"He's in Kindergarten," Megan clarified.
"Yes," Teddy said, "kinder then he turns six in January. I'm not ready for this."
"This time next year two go to school," Megan said.
"Is Faroke looking forward to going back to LA," Teddy asked.
"Most of the time," Megan said, "it's just new friends again."
"Highschool though," Teddy said, "starting 9th everyone is new."
"It will help," Megan agreed, "he's not super thrilled about another baby."
"He's 14," Teddy said, "he's not going to be. He sees diapers and babysitting."
"And grumpy mom," Megan said, "stressed out dad."
"That was with Cassie," Teddy replied, "looking at your transfer. You'll be settled in the beach house well before this one comes."
"I'm already getting a belly," Megan groaned.
"I did way faster with Daniel," Teddy said, "but he was my third. Maybe it's twins?"
"Twins," Megan said.
"Your mom is a twin," Teddy replied, "it runs in families. We wondered with Daniel because I gained weight really early."
"He was a big baby," Megan said.
"Bigger than Allison," Teddy said.
"Twins," Megan thought out loud.
"Don't think about it," Teddy said, "you see some one when you get to LA."
"I've had one ultrasound though," Megan said.
"I remember a case a few years ago just before Owen came to see me," Teddy said, "they did the first one but the second twin was hiding some how then at the 12 week one found it."
"That's in 2 weeks," Megan said.
"Don't think about it now," Teddy said, "breakfast? The girls have eggo waffles, yogurt and fruit."
"I'd be good with that," Megan agreed.
"I'll just do yogurt and fruit," Teddy said.
"Your still doing no carb," Megan asked.
"I always watch," Teddy said, "I have for years. I'm always aware of what I'm eating."
"But then you devour whole pizzas." Megan teased.
"When I've been in the OR without a break all day yes," Teddy said, "I can't eat like that everyday anymore, not unless I run 5 miles a day."
"You're a runner though. You've always liked to run," Megan said.
"I do," Teddy agreed, "honestly it's my me time sometimes."
"That's all the me time you get," Megan asked.
Wait till you have three 5 and under," Teddy shook her head.
"Three yes," Megan agreed, "but not all little at once. We're trying to get Cassie potty trained and in a big girl bed not a crib."
"We didn't move Danny's crib," Teddy said, "he just came here to a big kid bed."
"That would work," Megan said, "don't give her a choice."
"She's so sweet though," Teddy smiled.
"Both girls are," Megan agreed.
"You thinking another girl," Teddy asked.
"Boy," Megan thought aloud.
"Either way you have two of one and one is out numbered," Teddy said.
"I'm thinking me as a teenager, I can't do two of those," Megan said, "mom wanted to kill me so many times. I had an attitude, was a smart mouth, thought I knew everything."
"Past tense really," Teddy teased.
"Can you imagine me as a teenager," Megan asked.
"No," Teddy said, "I was a rebel."
"You went to college and med school," Megan said.
"So did you," Teddy said, "we're not the worst rebels."
"But after Owen did it," Megan said, "I was expected to do the same."
"Look at me and Jordan," Teddy said.
"He's coming today," Megan said.
"Yes and is pissed I'm walking on my own," Teddy groaned.
"It's your choice," Megan said, "and your not a kid."
"I'm not a child," Teddy said, "today is about Owen and I and our family."
"It is," Megan agreed.
"We should start getting ready," Teddy said.
"You shower I'll clean up after the girls," Megan said.
In Evelyn's kitchen Owen leaned against the counter chatting with Evelyn.
"Leo no fruit punch," Owen scolded.
"Please," Leo begged.
"No buddy not today," Owen said, "we'll have enough treats later."
"Wheres mommy," Daniel asked.
"At home," Evelyn said, 'your mom and Allison had a sleep over with Auntie Megan and Cassie."
"Mom can you watch them so I can shower," Owen asked.
"Go shower Owen," Evelyn said, "I'll make these two breakfast. I know no sugar."
"Thanks mom," Owen said, "it's finally happening."
"Your longest engagement," Evelyn said.
"Yes," Owen said, "Mom I should have proposed to Teddy 15 years ago."
"We all know that now," Evelyn said.
"We could have had this so much sooner," Owen said.
"Hindsight is 20/20," Evelyn said.
"I still don't know how she took me back even as a friend after that," Owen said.
"Your beautiful kids," Evelyn said, "you both knew. Owen I think you've loved her since before you brought her home the first time. You said she was Megan's friend but we all knew."
"I know," Owen said, "I was totally in love with her."
"I saw that then," Evelyn said, "but it's time. The two of you, your kids."
"It is," Owen agreed.
"Go shower," Evelyn said, nudging Owen towards the stairs, "I have your boys."
Owen walked upstairs to shower. He showered and shaved before putting on jeans and a tshirt, he would change to his suit just before the wedding.
At the church Teddy and Megan were in the small room getting ready. Cassie was back with Nathan and Allison sat quietly in a corner with an ipad.
"Teddy you look stunning," Megan said.
"I'm old," Teddy said.
"Gorgeous," Megan said, "you look happy."
"I am," Teddy smiled.
"Ready," Megan asked.
"I am," Teddy beamed, "this is right."
"It's been right for years," Megan agreed.
"I'm ready," Teddy smiled, "can you check on him?"
"I'll go," Megan said.
Megan went to check and saw that Owen was waiting at the alter.
"He's ready," Megan said.
Nathan helped get the there Hunt-Altman kids lined up as the ring bearers and flower girl.
Teddy took a deep breath watching her children go down the aisle towards Owen then Megan. Once Megan reached her spot Teddy took a deep breath and made her way to Owen. Reaching the alter she took both of his hands. Owen leaned forward and kissed Teddy's cheek. They both rested their foreheads against each other trying not to kiss before the pastor said they could.
"I love you," Teddy whispered.
"I love you too," Owen said.
The pastor started the service.
"The couple has chosen to write their own vows," the pastor said, "Teddy you can go first."
"Owen," Teddy smiled squeezing his hands, "where do I even begin. 20 years ago I met this buttoned up trauma surgeon that was so sure of himself and what he was doing it nearly drove me insane! Then i got to know you and work with you, you became my best friend. The best friend I could ever ask for. You've never tried to fix me or change me, you were just you. You've been the person that makes everything real, my first call in a crisis, the person I wake up in the middle of the night to celebrate an absolutely perfect surgery, the one I can count on to be there always. Time zones and distance never mattered for us, we we're always connected. Then almost 5 years ago you came to see me and tell my you loved me, which lead to Allison. Little did I know the next time you knocked on my door we would have both Allison and Leo. Our six month experiment of could we be a family has turned into the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life. You and our three kids are the best things that have ever happened. 5 years ago I would have laughed if you told me I would have three kids, preschoolers in my 40s! But we did it Hunt. Owen we did it, that family we used to sit in the sand and dream about, the white picket fence with a swingset in the back yard and picnics on the grass. You've given me everything I dreamed about but never expected I would have. You have made me happier and feel more loved then I ever thought was possible. I have loved you for 20 years and I will love you for the next 100. I love you."
"Owen," the pastor prompted.
"Teddy," Owen beamed, "again 20 years is a long time to get to know some one. I think you know me better than anyone ever has. The day I met you. You were a bit shy, definitely the new girl but there was something in your smile and the way you took charge of your patient that drew me to you. Then we started talking, really truly talking, it was the first time I had those deep conversations with some who really listened to me. Teddy you've always been there to hold me up when things go wrong and have crossed the globe to be by my side when I needed you. You've celebrated with me and given me the most precious gifts of my life, our kids. Teddy I have loved you from the moment we met and wish I had been brave enough to recognize it sooner. I have loved you for 20 years and will love you with every breath I have. Had someone told me when we met that we would be here today I would have laughed but nothing has ever felt so right. Like you said we did it Altman, that day dream to keep us sane it's here and I get to share it with you. We have it all Teddy, the white picked fence, three kids and almost a puppy. I love you and I can't wait for our next adventure."
The pastor took over from there, "do you Theodora Grace Altman take Owen Robert Hunt to be your lawful husband in sickness and health, in good times and bad until death do you part?"
"I do," Teddy beamed.
Owen took her ring from Leo and slid it in Teddy's hand with her engagement ring.
"Do you Owen Robert Hunt take Theodora Grace Altman to be your lawful wife in sickness and health, in good times and bad until death do you part," the pastor asked.
"I do," Owen smiled.
Teddy took his ring from Daniel and sipped it on Owens ring finger.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Washington," the pastor said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Owen kissed Teddy passionately to the applause of their family and friends in the small venue.
They walked out hand in hand with the three kids following after them like little ducklings.
After photos and dinner Megan got up to make a toast.
"Okay you two dumb dumbs," Megan teased, "only took 20 years and three kids to get here. I'm so happy for you. I watched as you two became friends to the point of finishing each other's sentences 20 years ago. Teddy you were the one person who could make him crack a smile and you got him to laugh you'll have to tell me your secret one day. Owen you pulled her out of her shell slowly with that steadiness that you've always had being someone that we can all depend on. Then I disappear for a decade and come home and you two confused me. I'd watch you and how you leaned on eachother and I knew we all knew there was something special. Fast forward a couple years Owen is back in the army and being transferred to Germany. Then he's there less than 48 hours and I get a text of the four of them, Owen, Teddy, Leo and Allison saying that Owen had two kids, he left Seattle with one they doubled in 48 hours. You two worked it out, your kids, the wonderful little monkeys that they are gave you the kick in the ass I had been trying to give you both to figure it out already. You worked it out and I'm hearing, he's moving in, we're engaged. Almost three years ago. But another baby, a global pandemic and a move back to seattle and your finally married. I have never been so happy for either of you. Yes I tease and call you dumb dumbs but it's only because I love you. I love both of you so much and seeing you happy today and together. Teddy you make him see the good and what's possible and call him in it when he's being major diamond. Owen you ground her and give her stability and comfort. Congratulations both of you! To Owen and Teddy!"
In a rare outspoken moment Evelyn got up, "I know I'm surprising both of you. Owen, my son my baby boy, I know you have three kids of your own but your always my baby boy. I look at you today and I see a different man, a man who is at peace and happy someone who has found the strength to go after all of his goals. Teddy you are my daughter and have been from the first time you came home. Watching you I see indifferent woman than the one I met 18 years ago, I see someone who is confident and self assured and with so much love for her family. Teddy you have been there for me and our family though so much always putting others first and being someone those around you can rely on. The two of you have always been an incredible team professionally and as friends but watching you become parents and raise three beautiful children together I see a true connection. You two have one of those once in a life time loves, the kind in novels and made for TV movies. But your connection runs deep both of you you've built a solid relationship for yourselves getting to know each other so completely. I've seen the sentence finishing or passing the other something before a word was spoken you two are in synch and truly connected. I'm very happy for both of you today."
Nathan stood up for the final toast, "so these two. You used to confuse the crap out of me. Then having you as neighbors for the last 18 months I get it. Seeing the time you two put in day to day listening and talking to each other understanding how the other is thinking. It's not something you stopped because you we're together or put on hold because you have three kids you listened and worked together. Watching you two work is so smooth and choreographed it could be a dance. And that carries over into bei at home. You are setting an amazing example of a true connection for your family. Owen you've been my brother for years and Teddy you're stuck with me now Altman. I could make a raunchy best man speech here but I won't these two don't need it and my fiancé beat me to the punch teasing them. I'm happy for both you you. Congratulations!"
They spent the rest of the night mingling and dancing, Teddy slowly swaying in Owens arms as the night wore on. Taking turns to dance with their kids and finding a way to dance as the family of five.
At the end of the night after the last guest had left Owen whispered, "so Mrs Hunt should we go to our hotel room?"
Teddy kissed him, "I've been waiting for you to ask."
They made their way to the elevator and pressed the button for their floor; they barely made it to their room before Owen began to undo the zipper at the back of Teddy's dress.