"I need an Alice in Wonderland costume," Danika said getting into the car.
"Why," Teddy asked.
"Halloween," Danika said.
"That's still two weeks away," Teddy said, "why Alice?"
"We're doing Alice in Wonderland for the costume contest," Danika said, "I'm Alice, Patrick is the Mad Hatter, Emilia is the Queen of hearts, Morgan is the cheshire cat, Chelsea is the White Rabbit."
"We can find you an Alice costume," Teddy agreed, "are you and your friends doing anything for halloween?"
Teddy thought, Halloween was in two weeks, she needed to talk to Owen. She was about to panic, if Halloween was in two weeks her period was almost two weeks late. But she was on the pill, she had missed a few being busy and forgetful but nothing to worry about she was 37 she would be 38 next month.
"Emilia wanted us to go trick or treating with her little sisters," Danika said, "can I go?"
"I don't see why not," Teddy agreed.
"It's a saturday," Danika said.
"So you can do the peds floor halloween event in the afternoon," Teddy said, "come get some volunteer hours. Play games and help out."
"I guess," Danika agreed.
"It was Webber's idea," Teddy said, "Patrick is helping invite the rest of your friends to get some of your hours done. You need 30 community service hours this year."
"We could," Danika agreed, "this isn't the way home."
"I was going to tell you as soon as you got in the car but you sprang the halloween costume on me," Teddy said, "we're going to Owens. His mom wants to see us."
"His mom," Danika said.
"Evelyn is nice," Teddy promised, "just be yourself."
"I have homework," Danika argued.
"Do your math there," Teddy replied, "your book report was handed in today so no english. What about anatomy?"
"Science and balancing chemical equations," Danika said, "I get it, I just need to do it.
"How much time do you need," Teddy asked.
"45 minutes for both," Danika guessed.
"You'll have time when we get home," Teddy said, "we won't be late."
"Okay," Danika agreed, "does Owen's mom know about me?"
"Yes," Teddy replied, "I've talked to Evelyn a few times when I needed parenting advice. This is as new for me as it is for you."
"You called your boyfriend's mom," Danika asked.
"I did," Teddy replied, "she raised two great people. Owen and Megan."
"When do I meet Meghan," Danika asked.
"You won't," Teddy replied, "she was captured in action about a year and a half ago. I wish you could Megan was a good friend of mine."
"What was she like," Danika asked.
"Kind, funny, larger than life," Teddy said, "she was an amazing surgeon."
"Was," Danika asked.
"The army has decided that she's missing presumed dead," Teddy replied, "just mentioning that she existed if she's brought up, but don't ask, it's really hard for Owen and Evelyn."
"But he's okay that you have your sister," Danika asked.
"Owen likes you," Teddy replied.
Teddy parked in front of Owens and let herself in.
"Owen," Teddy called up the stairs.
"Teddy," Owen called, "come up."
Danika followed Teddy up the stairs into the living room.
"Hi Danika," Owen said, "how was school?"
"It's school," Danika replied, "we started Nutcracker rehearsals today."
"What are you dancing," Teddy asked.
"Second cast as Clara and first cast as a party girl, snowflake, a mouse, angles and tea," Danika said.
"Clara for second cast," Teddy said, "you got it?"
"Second cast the matinees and when the schools come," Danika said, "not the big shows."
"We'll be there," Owen said, "I haven't seen the Nutcracker."
"We'll have to go twice," Teddy said, "first and second cast to see you do all the parts."
"You'd come twice." Danika asked.
"At least," Teddy promised.
The doorbell rang, Owen went to open the door greeting his mom with a hug.
"They're here," Owen said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Teddy," Evelyn smiled.
Owen led his mom into the living room.
"Mom," Owen introduced, "this is Teddy's sister Danika."
"This is the famous Dani," Evelyn smiled, "it's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Hunt," Danika replied.
"Evelyn," Evelyn corrected.
"Evelyn," Danika repeated.
"Evelyn," Teddy greeted with a hug.
"It's good to see you two sweetheart," Evelyn replied returning the hug.
"Dinner should be ready in a few minutes," Owen said, "I know it's a school night."
"Can I help," Danika asked.
"Do you want to set the table," Owen asked.
"I can," Danika replied.
Owen took out the dishes they would need and set them on the counter while Teddy went to help Owen in the kitchen.
"We're not going to panic," Teddy whispered.
"About what," Owen asked.
"I'm two weeks late," Teddy replied, "I'll take a test tomorrow."
"What if," Owen asked.
"Then we have a lot to figure out," Teddy replied.
"If," Owen asked.
"We work it out," Teddy said, "and I will need you. Owen if this is what it we think it is I will need you."
"Are you okay," Owen asked.
"I just figured it out on the drive here when Danika asked me about a Halloween costume," Teddy said.
"You feel okay," Owen asked.
"I do," Teddy said, "Owen I'm worried I need you to be calm for me. If you panic I will."
"If you are," Owen asked.
Teddy whispered, "then we have a baby."
"Two kids," Owen said.
"Essentially," Teddy agreed.
"So I won't bring out any wine tonight," Owen said, "we both work early so water is good."
"That will work," Teddy replied, "what do we need to finish?"
"Lasagna needs to come out of the oven, I need to slice the garlic bread and put the salad on the table," Owen said, "I know dressing on the side for the ballerina."
"Thank you," Teddy said, "she appreciates that."
"I have cesar or balsamic dressing," Owen said.
"I'll take things to the table," Teddy said.
She walked into the living and dining area and saw Danika talking with Evelyn. The warm motherly woman seemed to know how to get the shy teen out of her shell. Danika was telling Evelyn about school and her friends.
"Dinner," Owen said, putting the lasagne on the table.
Everyone found a spot and they dished up dinner.
"Dani more lasagne please," Teddy prompted.
"Teddy," Danika argued.
"We're not arguing about this here," Teddy said, "you need to eat. What was lunch today?"
"Turkey and cranberry wrap with squash soup," Danika said.
"Your favourite lunch," Teddy said.
"It's the best soup the school makes," Danika replied.
"Does your school do a hot lunch," Evelyn asked.
"It's a boarding school, they do all meals and snacks," Danika said.
"You boarded for a while didn't you," Evelyn asked.
"Four or five school years," Danika said.
"Do you like being home with Teddy," Evelyn asked.
"Most days," Danika replied, "sometimes I miss the after study hall games or the prank wars."
"So being with your friends all the time," Teddy clarified.
"Emilia never lived on campus, neither did Morgan," Danika replied, "and Patrick was moved off campus as well."
"Who is Patrick," Evelyn asked.
"My boyfriend," Danika blushed.
"The chief's nephew," Owen said, "Dr. Webber is raising Patrick."
"Must be the healthiest two in the school," Evelyn said, she could see something was up with Owen and Teddy. Teddy had been tense when she came in but they had been in the kitchen alone and now Owen appeared anxious. Evelyn wondered what was going on.
After dinner and desert Teddy drove home and sent Danika to the office to do her home work.
Owen texted, "are you okay?"
Teddy, "fine."
Owen, "what can I do?"
Teddy, "until we know nothing."
Owen, "I want to help."
Teddy, "until we know you just need to be calm. I need you to be calm. I'm going to run and pick up a test for the morning."
Owen, "do you want me to bring one over?"
Teddy, "I need a couple other things so I'm going to go. Leave Dani doing homework."
Owen," do you want me there?"
Teddy, "I can do it. I will let you know either way."
Owen, "I want to be there every step of the way."
Teddy, "I know you do."
Owen, "I will be there for you no matter what."
Teddy, "I know you will be. If this is what we think it is I have a very serious talk to have with Danika. One I've been putting off."
Owen, "figure this out first. Do it tonight."
Teddy, "running to get a couple things."
Teddy stuck her head into the office, "Dani. I have to go get a couple things I didn't realize I was out of. Are you okay to finish your homework I'll be half an hour."
"I'm fine," Danika said, "home work and shower. I'll start the kettle for cocoa when I'm done."
"Thank you," Teddy said, "I'll be back soon."
Teddy grabbed her purse and drove to the closest drug store, she grabbed what she needed and went home, she dropped the bag on her bathroom counter when she heard crying.
Teddy walked to Danika's room and found her sister curled up in a ball sobbing.
"Dani," Teddy asked, "what's wrong?"
"It's mom's birthday tomorrow," Danika cried.
"You miss her," Teddy stated.
Danika nodded.
Teddy laid down beside Danika, "I know you miss your mom. Her birthday will be hard, it's okay. Do you want to stay home tomorrow, come to work with me, go to school?"
"School," Danika said.
"Tell me about your mom," Teddy said, "choose a happy memory."
"Last Christmas," Danika said, "she came to the Nutcracker and we went out for dinner after. She came just her, no friends, no boyfriend just mom. We went for dinner after the matinee."
"Favourite Christmas tradition," Teddy asked.
"Seeing the company do the Nutcracker and going for hot chocolate," Danika said.
"Decorating the Christmas tree and building a gingerbread house," Teddy said, "will you do those with me?"
"What about Owen," Danika asked.
"Some things," Teddy said, "but he'll spend Christmas with his mom and you and I will have our day. But Thanksgiving first."
"That's a thing," Danika asked, "I haven't had thanksgiving since daddy."
"At school," Teddy asked.
"We all eat together and they make a turkey dinner," Danika said, "they decorate the cafeteria."
"I want to try making it this year," Teddy said, "have a few people over."
"Stop distracting me," Danika said, "I miss my mom."
"I know you miss your mom," Teddy said, "what can I do?"
"Maybe on the weekend we can take her flowers," Danika suggested.
"We will," Teddy agreed. She knew it was an hour drive each way but if it would help Danika to feel better they would do it.
"With sunflowers," Danika said.
"Were those her favourite," Teddy asked.
"She always grew them on the deck," Danika said.
"We might be late for sunflowers," Teddy said, "but gerber daisies have a similar shape. Go have your shower then let's go to bed."
"Okay," Danika agreed.
Teddy texted Owen, "I'll do that in the morning. It's june's birthday tomorrow. Dani is a mess."
Owen, "just do it once she goes to bed."
Teddy, "I'll sit with her for a while until she's asleep."
Owen, "let me know."
Teddy, "I will. I'm scared."
Owen, "we'll be okay."
Teddy, "I can't be a mom."
Owen, "we don't know yet. We'll be okay. Do you want me to come?"
Teddy, "I'll see you in the morning. I have to get Danika calm."
Owen, "meet you in your office?"
Teddy, "see you in the morning."
Danika walked into her room, "Teddy?"
"Do you want me to sit with you until you fall asleep," Teddy asked.
"Please," Danika whispered.
"Okay get into bed," Teddy said.
Danika crawled into bed and Teddy sat on the edge, "close your eyes."
"I miss my mom," Danika whined.
"I know," Teddy said, "I miss mine two. Right now you're going to close your eyes. I'm going to stay right here. I'm not going anywhere Dani. You're safe. I'm here. I love you."
Teddy noticed Danika's breathing had slowed and was becoming even. She was asleep. Teddy waited a few more minutes until she was sure Danika was asleep then quietly stood up and tip toed out of the room. She walked into her bathroom and read the directions on the box. She was 37 almost 38, she couldn't believe she was doing this, but this was Owen. She was with Owen, it would be their baby, he was her best friend and now her boyfriend. Owen would be there. It would be a lot to figure out, but they could do it. It was Owen.
