Danika ran into the house after her last day of summer session, "I'm Free! I'm Free!"
"You are," Teddy smiled, "snack then do you want to do some errands with me?"
"What sort of errands," Danika asked.
"You wanted a few new books, I need a new book and we need a few fun things to take camping," Teddy said, "Owen is home and we're going to let Allison nap. Meghan only picked you up because she was on her way home from the hospital and you were on her way."
"What sort of fun things," Danika asked.
"Your choice," Teddy said.
"We had a frisbee when I went with Em's family," Danika said.
"We can do that," Teddy smiled, "and we have a soccer ball in the garage. Owen and I have been playing with it when we're both home."
In the county social workers office a young social worker knocked on his supervisor's door, "Craig do you have a minute to talk about one of my kids?"
"Which case," Craig asked, "John have a seat."
"Danika Altman," John said, "I've been on the case for 14 months and want to close it out but I have a couple new concerns."
"Run down the facts for me," Craig said, "what's the new concern?"
"Danika is a 15 year old girl. Her mother passed away last May and her father in 2000. Currently her older sister has custody and originally I thought it was a good match. The sister was single and she's educated," John said.
"What does the sister do for work," Craig asked.
"She's a heart surgeon," John said, "she came out here to be with Danika after leaving the army even though her life and connections were in New York. There is money left by their father in trust so that's not a concern. The sister goes by a nickname and introduces herself as Teddy. Teddy got Danika's medical stuff sorted out quickly, even making sure an elective surgery was done to stop chronic ear infections, glasses, braces, all of it. I was aware a few months ago that Teddy was seeing someone and Danika knew the man. Then when I checked in in March Teddy was clearly pregnant and the man had moved into the house with them."
"This all sounds good," Craig said, "Danika, where does she go to school?"
"Park Ridge ballet," John said, "private. Teddy had been covering her school fees since she started there in fourth grade boarding at age nine."
"My Emilia goes there," Craig said, "I know the family. Danika is Emmy's best friend. What's your concern?"
"Teddy would like to put her boyfriend Owen Hunt as a guardian for Danika legally and Owen's sister as their back up," John said.
"Emmy goes to their house all the time, our families have had dinner together. Danika sleeps over," Craig said, "I see no reason to deny giving Owen guardianship if he wants it."
"It's the sister's boyfriend," John said, "what stability is that for Danika?"
"Teddy and Owen have a two or three month old daughter," Craig said, "they are really focused on making a calm stable home environment for both girls. Danika calls them Teddy and Owen but they parent her they both do. A couple months ago Emmy and Danika went to a friend's birthday party and things got out of hand. I was dealing with a safe haven baby at the hospital and Jen was home alone with the kids. Danika trusted Owen enough to call him to come get her even though she was supposed to sleep over. Owen and Teddy put their 4 day old baby in the car late at night and picked up not only Danika but Emmy and another of the girl's friends and took everyone home safely . They spoke to each parent and let them know they were getting the kids and why. Does that sound like a couple who isn't committed to ensuring Danika's safety?"
"Her sister living with the boy friend, what moral example does that set," John asked.
"Again I've seen them socially," Craig replied, "they are a good couple. They've known each other for years. Danika is seeing a healthy adult relationship between two adults who care for eachother. I trust them more than any other set of parents or guardians on our caseload. We've talked about parenting philosophy. John I trust them so much Emmy is going camping for four nights with them. Danika came to the cabin for five days with us."
"What are you saying," John asked.
"I'm saying stop stressing the Altman's out," Craig said, "Danika is in good hands. Sign off on it. I know Teddy wants to plan a trip to Mexico for their family, the school is taking a trip to Disney for the kids to perform next May."
"So give them what they want," John asked.
"I've seen them for a year at school things and picking up the girls," Craig said, "she's safe. Treat it like an adoption, sign off then hands off."
"I'll call Teddy on Monday," John agreed, "I just need to finish my background check on Owen and Meghan."
"Military surgeons," Craig said, "they're good. Meghan picked Danika and my Emmy up from school the other day and took them to the beach for a bonfire and skimboarding. Teddy was going to do it but Allison the baby was really fussy so instead of disappointing Danika, Meghan went. I think they had more fun with Meghan. If Teddy and Owen are the parents, Meghan is the cool aunt."
Teddy and Danika got in the car to go do their errands, Teddy liked having just Danika in the car sometimes, it was when they could talk more openly then if Owen was around.
"Six weeks off," Danika asked.
"Five," Teddy replied, "but you're off."
"Patrick has to go to his parents," Danika whined.
"What's going on with you two," Teddy asked.
"I don't know," Danika said, "he's never been a real boyfriend, we only kissed a couple times."
"Is he a friend," Teddy asked.
"He is," Danika said, "it's the group of four of us and the other boys at school tease him."
"What do they say," Teddy asked.
"They call him gay," Danika said, "but it's a lie."
"What do you do," Teddy asked.
"I tell them that it's not okay to call people that," Danika said, "but it doesn't help anything. Why do people think it's so wrong?"
"I don't know," Teddy said, "love is love. Look at Arizona and Callie at work."
"I like them," Danika said, "Arizona is nice and Callie can be funny when she comes over."
Teddy asked, "Does it matter that they're both women?"
"No," Danika said.
"What would it matter if Patrick was," Teddy asked, "would you stop being his friend?"
"No Patrick is Patrick," Danika said, 'sometimes he gets me more than my other friends. They all have moms and dads. His mom and dad never see him."
"That's the problem with boarding at school," Teddy said, "and why he was moved this year as well. It's healthier for him to be with Richard and Adele and you to be with me and Owen."
"Does Owen really want to be on the school papers or is that you," Danika asked.
"He offered," Teddy said, "I've called John the social worker. We're going to name Owen as your second guardian."
"Will they be okay with that," Danika asked.
"Emilia's dad is the supervisor," Teddy said, "you don't think Craig will approve it."
"Have you talked to him," Danika asked.
"Not yet," Teddy said, "I asked John for his supervisors name today when I called about some other things he's dragging his feet on."
"Like what," Danika asked.
"Letting me get your passport," Teddy said, "I want to do your's and Allison's at the same time."
"Why do I need one," Danika asked.
"We're planning a trip to Mexico over Christmas break and Owen really wants to go to a conference in November in Whistler I thought that the four of us could go because it's over your Thanksgiving break and you could do some ski lessons."
"Can the social worker still decide I can't live with you," Danika asked.
"It's always possible until I have the final papers," Teddy said, "but highly unlikely. We could fight it. Your stability will be the priority."
"Have you heard if mom had any relatives," Danika asked.
"Not yet," Teddy said, "sweetheart I don't even know if they would know your mom had been married."
"Or that I exist," Danika said.
"That two," Teddy acknowledged. Teddy knew the social workers had looked for other relatives and she prayed they didn't find one who would be considered capable enough to parent Danika. When she had shared her fear with Owen he had told her they would have never met Danika and would be strangers where as Teddy had been involved since Danika was an infant.
"Do you know why my mom didn't talk to her family," Danika asked.
"I didn't put much effort into getting to know your mom," Teddy said, "I was in med school when they got married and had you then residency, my fellowship and in New York. She was only six years older than me. It was awkward for both of us. My stepmother was almost my age. Her and I steered clear of each other I only came around to see you and dad. Then when we lost dad June made it harder for me to visit or call."
"But I had my phone," Danika said.
"Once you were boarding and in fifth," Teddy said.
"Did mom know you called every week," Danika asked.
"I don't know," Teddy said, "it was my phone plan and linked to my credit card so when we had long conversations I just paid it."
"You," Danika asked.
"I told your mom I would do school fees and dance shoes," Teddy said.
"Why," Danika asked.
"Because I wanted to make sure you could do what you wanted," Teddy said, "make sure you could dance. I wanted to keep all the doors open for you. And I'm the only person who can touch that and only for your education until you're 21."
"Why," Danika asked.
"To make sure you were taken care of while I was away," Teddy said, "we've talked about this. Are you okay?"
"I guess," Danika said.
"Somethings bugging you," Teddy said, "I know you. You're over thinking something."
"I heard Owen talk about moving," Danika said.
"I said not now," Teddy replied, "one day we might but not now. I like our house, it's home. It's the first time I've felt at home since dad left my mom."
"Why does he want to move," Danika asked.
"Owen wants to be closer to his mom," Teddy said, "a bigger house. I bought that for you and I. Owen and I were just figuring out what we wanted to be but he was on the back burner. He'll always be second to you and Allison. You come first."
"Me," Danika said sounding shocked.
"Tied with Allison," Teddy promised, "yes your my sister but it's complicated."
"Are you my sister or my mom," Danika asked, "you act like more of a mom then my mom ever did."
"Both," Teddy said , "your my sister but I act like your mom sometimes. We've figured it out."
"Jillian compared our family to shameless," Danika said.
"We ignore her," Teddy replied, "she doesn't know and is ignorant."
"Her sister goes to UW and buys alcohol for her and her friends," Danika said.
"Not going to happen," Teddy declared, "you're not legal. But I wanted to talk to you about something Owen and I have been discussing."
"What," Danika asked.
"We'd like to get married," Teddy said, "not now he hasn't proposed. I kinda thought he would before I had our daughter but who knows."
"What would change," Danika asked.
"Nothing really," Teddy said, "we would still be our family. We'll go to work, you go to school and Allison to day care. We'll still do our weekend things. It's just that Owen would be my husband instead of my boyfriend. Still your brother in law."
"Does that change him being on school papers," Danika asked.
"It would make it easier," Teddy said, "it's just an idea right now."
"Do you want to get married," Danika asked.
"I do," Teddy said.
"Then why didn't you before," Danika asked.
"Waiting for the right guy," Teddy said.
"Is owen," Danika asked.
"I would have had him move in if he wasn't," Teddy said.
"Even with Allison," Danika asked.
"If he wasn't the right guy she would have been created," Teddy said.
"How," Danika said.
"Because you only sleep with guys you love and could see yourself spending forever with," Teddy said.
"How do you know," Danika asked.
"Because he'll make you feel safe, loved and like the only woman on the planet," Teddy said, "if your not sure it's not right."
"Then why do some girls at school talk about it," Danika asked.
"Some kids talk to make themselves sound cool," Teddy said, "we've talked about being safe and you should be in a relationship for a while."
"We're you," Danika asked.
"Owen and I hadn't dated long," Teddy said, "but I knew him for five years before. I met him when I went away."
"Were you together before," Danika asked.
"No," Teddy said, "he was my best friend. Like you and Patrick. People always assumed more. Even Meghan."
"Meghan has a boyfriend," Danika said.
"Nathan. What do you think," Teddy asked.
"He's okay," Danika said, "he's loud."
"Both of them are," Teddy agreed, "you like quiet."
"That's what I miss about just us," Danika said.
"I know," Teddy said.
"Allison screams less now," Danika said.
"We've all adjusted," Teddy said, "Meghan is talking about moving to Nathan's."
"Like Owen moved in," Danika asked, "another baby?"
"No," Teddy said, "they want to be together. It's the next step. I'm 38 Owen is 35 Meghan is only about 32 or 33. Any one of us could be your parents."
"I don't need parents, I have you and Owen," Danika said.
"You do," Teddy agreed.
"Is Meghan coming camping," Danika asked.
"And Nathan," Teddy said.
"Do Emilia's parents know," Danika asked.
"They do," Teddy said, "they all met at our bbq. You wanted a frisbee, you have a kite and sand toys in the garage, the skim board and your life jacket. Any thing else you thing would be fun?"
"Do we have any of those noodle things like in the Webber's pool," Danika asked.
"We can get some," Teddy said, "do you and Em want them in the lake?"
"That would be fun," Danika said.
"Nathan is bringing his canoe," Teddy said, "and Owen picked up a blow up row boat."
"Em's dad taught be to paddle at their cabin," Danika said.
"Water toys, portable air pump that plugs into the truck, snacks and treats," Teddy said, "what type of treats does Emeila like?"
"We don't get many treats," Danika said, "ice cream and cocoa at our house and her mom makes cookies."
"Smores," Teddy suggested.
"Yes those were good," Danika said, "can you make rice crispy squares?"
"I will," Teddy said, "did you like those in your lunch this week?"
"Yes," Danika said.
"You could probably make them," Teddy said.
"Is it easy," Danika asked.
"No stove or oven needed," Teddy said, "just the microwave."
"Can you show me," Danika asked.
"I will," Teddy said, "let's get these errands done. Then what's your schools out dinner choice?"
"Chinese," Danika asked.
"We'll order on our way home," Teddy said as she got out of the car.
