Tuesday after school Danika saw the blue truck in the pick up lane after school she ran towards it.

"Are they home," Danika asked, hopping into the passenger seat.

"They are," Owen said, "only about an hour ago. Teddy is exhausted so we need you to be independent tonight."

"I need help with the anatomy I missed yesterday," Danika said, "and the math."

"Let Teddy rest and ask me or Meghan," Owen said, "my mom brought dinner over."

"What's for dinner," Danika asked.

"Chicken, potatoes, veggies and salad," Owen said.

"How long is Meghan staying," Danika asked.

"Until she gets a job and her own place," Owen said, "is that okay? She might move into my place when the work is finished and rent the fire hall from me."

"I like her," Danika said, "but does she just tolerate me?"

"My sister likes you, she wouldn't have kept you home yesterday if she didn't," Owen said.

"Can I go to Breanna's Friday night," Danika asked, "it's her birthday party."

"We'll ask Teddy but Meghan or I can drive," Owen agreed, "Teddy's going to be tired for a few days and emotional."

"I thought the random crying would stop when she had the baby," Danika said.

"Not how it works, sorry kiddo," Owen said.

"Do babies really cry all night," Danika asked.

"She cried a bit last night," Owen said, "she's tiny, only six pounds and she can't eat very much at once yet so she gets hungry. Her stomach is about the size of a cherry or a grape."

"That's tiny," Danika said.

"She'll grow fast," Owen said.

At the house Meghan looked up from her research, "Teddy has anyone done an ACEs score on Danika?"

"What," Teddy asked looking at Meghan.

"Aces are adverse childhood experiences," Meghan said, "abuse, neglect, death of parents or caregivers, substance abuse in the home."

"All of those," Teddy said, "both parents are dead."

"Family illness," Meghan asked, "she was really worried about you being in the hospital."

"Dad had lung cancer when she was 7, I tried to explain but I don't think I did a good job," Teddy said, "I couldn't imagine putting Allison through what Dani's been through. I'm really praying that Allison never has to see what Dani has."

"You'll be here, you and Owen are healthy," Meghan said.

"And I'm 38, he's 37 we're not young for parents," Teddy said.

"And you have mom and I to help," Meghan said.

"Thank you," Teddy said, "it will be Dani I need the most help with while I get settled with Allison."

"Home work, driving," Meghan said.

"Yes," Teddy replied, "she's doing okay at school. Math is a challenge but we're working on it."

Allison began to fuss.

"I think I need to feed her. I'll go upstairs," Teddy said.

"Just stay where you are and be comfortable," Meghan said.

"Owen, Dani," Teddy said.

"Your boyfriend and sister," Meghan replied.

"Sister who will be an anxious mess," Teddy said, "raising two kids is hard."

"You have Owen," Meghan said, "and I am always happy to babysit and help. I'm not working, I need to be useful."

"No one needs to see my failure at this so I'm going to take her to our room," Teddy said.

Teddy slowly got up and took Allison upstairs to feed her. A couple minutes later Danika ran through the front door.

"Where's Teddy," Danika asked, "you said she would be home with Allison."

"She just took Allison upstairs to feed her," Meghan said, "come help me with dinner we need to warm it up. Dumb dumb Teddy needs you."

"Dumb dumb," Owen asked.

"She had your baby and you still haven't proposed," Meghan quipped.

"I will," Owen said, "when the time is right. Danika uniform off kiddo. You know Teddy doesn't like you sitting around in it at home."

"I spilled paint on myself anyway," Danika said.

"Again," Owen said, "you need scrubs for art class."

"Not my fault this time," Danika said.

"What happened," Owen asked.

"Emilia tripped and knocked over the containers," Danika said.

"Just put it on the dry cleaning pile," Owen said.

Danika followed Owen upstairs.

Owen knocked on the door to their room, "Teddy?"

"I'm just feeding Allison," Teddy said.

"Can I," Owen asked.

"Just you," Teddy said.

Owen slipped into their room.

"You okay," Owen asked.

"Really tired and sore," Teddy said.

"What can I do," Owen asked.

"Change our daughter when she's done," Teddy said.

"I haven't had enough time with her," Owen said, "you're being a baby hog."

"She's eating every 90 minutes," Teddy said, "I really want another nap."

"Dinner then go to bed early," Owen said.

"Her bath," Teddy said, "then I should have cocoa with Dani. Why do I feel like we suddenly have two kids."

"We do," Owen said.

"I know this isn't what you pictured," Teddy said, "raising my sister."

"Helping Meghan get back on her feet," Owen said.

"That's only a few months," Teddy said, "Danika is in ninth grade she might go away for college but she'll come back for summers and breaks."

"We have two girls to look out for," Owen said, "this is our family."

Owen took a seat on the bed beside Teddy and put his arms around her and Allison.

Danika bounded down the stairs.

"No Teddy," Danika asked Meghan.

"They're both upstairs," Meghan said, "homework while I heat up dinner?"

"I don't get my math," Danika said.

"Who helps you," Meghan asked.

"Whoever is home," Danika said, "Teddy is better at it."

"Can I look," Meghan asked.

"It's factoring," Danika said.

"We can do it," Meghan said, "I've put everything in the oven, go get your book."

Danika took out her textbook and binder out of her backpack and sat at the island. Meghan sat with her and showed her a different strategy for factoring that made sense.

"Dani," Teddy called as she came down the stairs.

"Teddy," Danika yelled, running to hug her, "your home."

"I'm home," Teddy said, "I'm not going anywhere. You can relax now. I'm home. You were okay with Meghan."

"You're not leaving," Danika asked.

"Just normal errands," Teddy assured, "groceries, picking you up from school, taking Allison for a walk. I'm home."

"To stay," Danika asked.

"To stay," Teddy promised.

"Can I see Allison," Danika asked.

"When Owen brings her down," Teddy said, "what were you working on?"

"Factoring trinomials," Meghan said, "FOIL."

"Do you understand it," Teddy asked.

"Meghan's way," Danika said.

"Other homework," Teddy asked.

"English response paragraph and a bones worksheet," Danika said.

"Finish your math and maybe I can sit with you to do your bones," Teddy said.

"What about Allison," Danika asked.

"She can spend time with Owen," Teddy said.

"Doesn't she need you," Danika asked.

"But so do you," Teddy said, "she can share when you're home. You're only home and awake with us a couple hours at night. You get home at 6:30 and are in bed at 9:30. She's with me all day when you're at school."

"I still think this schedule looks too long and like over training," Meghan said.

"She's been injury free all year," Teddy said, "a couple colds and ear infections and a bout of pink eye but that's kid stuff."

"Pink eye went through the whole school," Danika said.

"Which means surfaces aren't being cleaned," Teddy said, "use your sanitizer."

"I have been," Danika said, "half my class was home sick today."

"Wash your hands before you touch Allison then," Teddy said, "she doesn't have an immune system yet."

"Can I hold her," Danika asked.

"Finish your math and wash your hands," Teddy said.

"I'll sit with you for the last two," Meghan said, "you tell me your steps as you do them."

Danika did the last two problems with Meghan saying her steps out loud and looking to Meghan and Teddy for confirmation both nodded.

"I'm going to go sit for a few minutes," Teddy said.

"Dinner in about 10," Meghan said.

"Okay," Teddy said.

"Are you okay," Danika asked.

"Sore and tired," Teddy said, "it's hard work. This is all normal. Just finish that and help Meghan set the table."

Owen came down with a sleepy Allison in his arms.

"Dani," Owen said, "she hasn't seen you today."

"Come sit with me first," Teddy called from the couch.

Danika went and sat with Teddy and Owen put Allison in her arms.

"She's looking at me," Danika said.

"Give her a smile," Teddy said, "I think she likes when we smile."

"Hi Allison," Danika said, "are you happy to be home? Have your mom and dad shown you around?"

Teddy smiled seeing her sister talking to Allison.

"I'm your auntie Danika but I'm still a kid," Danika said, "your mommy is my big sister but she takes care of me two. It's just your mom and I on our side. But you're so lucky to have Teddy. She always comes and is always calm when things are scary and confusing."

"I always will," Teddy said, putting an arm around Danika.

"Can I read her a story," Danika asked.

"After dinner," Teddy said, "you need to eat first and finish your homework."

"Shes so cute," Danika said.

"She is," Teddy agreed, "you were that cute."

"I don't remember," Danika said.

"I had just finished my first year of Med school you were 2 days old and the cutest little peanut," Teddy said.

"Does she blink," Danika asked.

"Not like we do yet," Teddy said, "she's also not awake very long yet. Maybe half an hour or so."

"Can I give her a bottle," Danika asked.

"When she's ready and getting the hang of it, I told you what the plan is," Teddy said.

"I thought she could have one when she came home," Danika said.

"Not yet," Teddy said, "she's only 24 hours old. If Owen and I weren't doctors they would have kept me another night."

"Why is she so small," Danika asked.

"She's brand new," Teddy said, "babies are small."

"Its the first time I've gotten to hold a baby," Danika said.

"You were the family baby," Teddy said.

"People think you're my mom," Danika said.

"I'm old enough to be," Teddy agreed.

"Food," Meghan said.

"I'm going to take Allison and put her in the swing by the table," Owen said.

Owen took Allison back and Danika sprang up to help move the last few things to the table. Owen placed Allison in the swing and the baby began to cry. Teddy sat in her chair beside Allison and rubbed the baby's head trying to sooth her. When that didn't work Teddy picked her up.

"Teddy she won't learn," Owen said.

"She's only a day old, all she knows is me," Teddy said, "she was almost asleep I think."

"You need to eat," Owen said, "give her to me and I'll eat after."

"You two eat while it's hot," Meghan said, "I'll hold the baby."

"Meghan," Teddy said, "I can eat one handed."

"You tried that at lunch," Owen said, "you dropped food on her."

"It was hospital slop, not roast chicken and potatoes," Teddy said.

"Teddy," Meghan said, "you need to eat. I can hold Allison. I'm not really hungry."

"I have it," Teddy said.

"Allison has settled a bit," Owen said, "try putting her back."

Teddy gingerly laid Allison back in the swing and kept one hand on her. Owen dished up Teddy's plate and his own.

"Dani, you need to eat more," Owen said.

"I had a big snack we had cake for Ms. Anton's birthday," Danika said.

"No," Teddy said, "you need a proper dinner. Meat and veggies."

"Not hungry," Danika pouted.

"Are you doing your plate or am I," Teddy asked.

"Fine," Danika pouted, "no milk it's for babies."

"Okay," Teddy sighed, she was too tired to fight Danika on her food intake tonight.

They ate dinner and made small talk all three adults trying to get Danika to share about her day at school.

"How was rehearsal," Owen asked.

"Hard," Danika said, "they did final fittings of costumes."

"Everything okay," Teddy asked.

"It's costumes," Danika said, "they cast for the costumes they have."

"Does yours fit," Meghan asked.

"Just," Danika said.

"Eat your dinner," Teddy said, "they can alter."

"They don't," Danika said.

"I'll phone if it's a problem," Teddy said.

They continued with dinner.

"She's still asleep," Owen said.

"Don't move her," Teddy said, "I really need a shower I haven't had one yet."

"You shower," Owen said, "I'll watch Allison sleep and help with homework."

"I've got the kitchen," Meghan said.

"Is it a cocoa night," Danika asked.

"After home work and your shower," Teddy agreed.

"Just us," Danika asked.

"Allison," Teddy said.

"Yes," Danika replied.

"Home work kiddo," Owen said.

"Bone sheet doesn't make sense," Danika complained.

"Get it out and bring it to the coffee table," Owen said.

Danika sat at the coffee table with the bone sheet Owen cuddled Allison as he supervised Danika's homework. The two Hunts took turns helping and answering Danika's homework questions.

"Can I hold Allison," Danika asked.

"When you're in your pajamas," Teddy said, "shower and pajamas then you can hold her."

"I'm going," Danika said.

"That was better tonight," Meghan commented.

"I am aware of the trauma," Teddy said, "she's triggered. She goes to Brenda tomorrow. Owen you need to drive her."

"Why don't we both go," Owen suggested, "you might not be up to driving but you should go."

"What are the triggers," Meghan asked, "if I'm living here I need to be able to help. She's not okay."

"She's better," Teddy said, "some one she loves in the hospital seems to be hard for her. Medications lying around."

"How bad was it," Meghan asked.

"Boarding school 49-50 weeks a year," TEddy said, "left alone in the apartment for 2-3 days at a time so June could get high. Right now she feels safest with me."

"I asked her hoping there was a teacher or school counselor," Meghan said, "she said the two of you. Her other safe person is Owen. I want her to trust and feel safe with me."

"That she trusts Owen to be her safe person is news," Teddy said.

Owen brought a fussing Allison back to Teddy, 'I think she needs you."

"No judging," Teddy said glaring at Meghan.

"None," Meghan said, "is it almost cocoa time?"

"I'll make it," Owen said.

"I'll go read," Meghan said, "I hear that she just needs you."

"I'll probably tuck her in tonight," Teddy said.

"I did last night," Meghan said.

Danika came down with her wet hair in a braid and her cup cake pajama shorts with a pink tshirt.

"Now can I see her," Danika asked.

"She's eating," Teddy said, "come talk to me and tell me about the last couple days."

Danika curled up on the other end of the couch.

"Relax," Teddy said, "this is normal, it's natural. Get used to it. She'll need to do this for the next year."

"Then why do they have baby food," Danika asked.

"When she's about six months we can try," Teddy said, "right now you just relax. We'll have our cocoa and you can have baby cuddles before you go to bed."

"Julie called me fat in repotire today," Danika whispered.

"Is that why you didn't want dinner," Teddy asked.

Danika nodded.

"You're healthy," Teddy said, "she's bigger than you. I've met her."

"Why would she say that," Danika asked.

"To be mean," Teddy said, "sometimes girls are just mean."

"She says a lot of mean things,' Danika said.

"Like what," Teddy asked.

"She calls me dumb and fat and says no one wants me," Danika said hugging the pillow.

"I want you here," Teddy said.

"So do I," Owen said.

"I do two," Meghan said.

"And Allison needs her Auntie Dani," Teddy said.

"I hate Dani," Dankia said, "dad used to call me that."

"I'll try," Teddy said, "I've called you that since you were a newborn. It was always dad and my name for you. I miss him."

"I wish he could be here," Danika said.

"I want him to meet Allison and Owen and to see how much you've grown," Teddy said, "but I have to believe that he's watching us from heaven."

"Is he," Danika asked.

"I think so," Teddy said, "keeping us safe."

"It's hard to miss your dad," Meghan said sitting on the arm of the couch beside Danika while Owen took a seat on the arm by Teddy.

"I was seven," Danika said.

"Nine," Owen said.

"Six," Meghan added.

"But you have your mom," Danika said.

"She'll be there two if you let her in," Owen said.

"Too many people," Danika said.

"Now," Owen asked.

"Two new people it's too much," Danika said.

"We want you to get to know both," Teddy said, "Evelyn or Meghan first."

"Meghan she lives here," Danika said.

"Meg," Owen said, "can you help me with something in the garage?"

Meghan followed Owen outside.

"You're safe," Teddy said, "we can do Meghan first then slowly get to know Evelyn. Do you like Meghan?"

"I do,' Danika said.

"She's safe," Teddy said, "I have to do one more set of paper work with the social worker. I need to pick two people for my back up with you. Just incase. Are you okay if I say Owen and Meghan?"

"Her first," Danika asked.

"I can do that," Teddy said, "Allison is done. Do you want to hold her or do you need a hug?"

"Both," Danika said.

"No squishing her," Teddy said as she put an arm around Danika. Danika let her head fall on Teddy's shoulder.

"You're okay," Teddy whispered, "you're safe, we're home."

Danika sat up, "can I hold her?"

"You can," Teddy said, putting Allison in Danika's arms.