Two weeks later a very tense Teddy and Owen led a terrified Danika into the social workers office.
"I don't want to do this," Danika complained.
"We don't want to be here either," Teddy said.
"It's a visit," Owen said, "one hour. You meet these people and we can go."
"We come with you," Teddy said, "Allison is with Evelyn, we're all here together."
"I'm scared," Danika said.
"We know," Teddy said, "we get to come in with you and Mr Kandler is there. You will not be alone."
"I don't want to," Danika said, "can I chose not to?"
"Not today," Teddy said, "come on Dani we'll go together. This is just one of those hoops we have to jump. I didn't expect this either."
"After this we have a couple errands to run," Owen said.
"What," Danika asked.
"Honors math needs a graphing calculator and those are hard to find," Teddy said, "you have to pick the color. If I still had mine you could use it but I got rid of it after med school."
"This isn't like the calculator you used last year," Owen said, "these are a couple hundred dollars and you have to take care of it."
"We only had to replace that one because I got it in fifth grade," Danika said.
"Honors math, English, science and French," Teddy said, "I'm proud of you."
"Does that get me out of today," Danika tried.
"No," Teddy said, "nice try."
"I had to," Danika said.
Craig joined them in the lobby, "the whole family came today."
"Allison is with Owens mom," Teddy said, "how does this work."
"We're going to let you decide who you want to talk to Danika," Craig said, "and for how long. You are free to go at any time. If you don't feel comfortable you tell us."
"How many strangers," Danika asked.
"Three," Craig said, "your aunt and grandparents. They're excited."
"Can Teddy and Owen come with me," Danika asked.
"I thought they would today," Craig said, "Danika this is about you and what feels right to you."
"Can I still go home with Teddy," Danika asked.
"Yes," Craig said, "and you're sleeping over tomorrow with Emmy right?"
"Swimming at the Webber's first Patrick is back " Danika said.
"That will be a good day," Owen agreed, "Richard has missed having everyone around."
"He seems like a man who likes his peace and quiet," Craig commented.
"Richard is calm and steady in any situation," Owen said, "he loves young people, teaching and mentoring. They weren't able to have kids so having Patrick with them is good."
"The uniforms are you replacing them," Craig asked.
"Shirts and sweaters," Teddy said, "what looks worn or is stained. I did all new everything last year and Danika hasn't grown much so her skirts and blazers fit. We'll get the new leotard colour. I'll replace as things get damaged or wear out and look sloppy. She doesn't need all new everything right now."
"That's what we were thinking," Craig said.
"I'm allowed a heel on my shoes now," Danika said.
"One inch," Teddy said, "you could or I'd rather you wear flats like the ones you've had."
"Those are baby shoes," Danika said.
"Later," Teddy said, "we'll find a compromise."
"We should go in," Craig said, "Danika are you ready?"
"No," Danika said, "the only thing I'm ready for is to go home."
Teddy bent to look at Danika in the eye while the teen had grown slightly over the last year Teddy doubted she would be much taller. Danika's head came to her sister's shoulder but June had barely been 5 feet tall so it wasn't totally surprising.
"Danika you can do this," Teddy said, "I'm coming with you so is Owen. Your okay were okay."
"There's a special mirror in that room," Craig said, "it looks like a mirror in the room but I sit in another room and can see it. If you would feel better I can turn on the intercom and hear it. It's your choice Danika."
"I can do it if Teddy and Owen come," Danika said.
"Okay," Craig said, "legally your supposed to have a social worker or medical professional present for this."
"Teddy and Owen," Danika said.
"It's a grey area because they're your legal guardians," Craig said, "the Garneaus know I will be behind the glass. I'm letting you know I have to be there."
"Okay," Danika replied.
"I'll introduce you then step out," Craig said.
In the visitation room June's sister and parents sat on one of the couches.
"What's taking so long," Helen asked.
"He did say she can be shy," Jennifer said, "mom she doesn't know us. June didn't tell her we existed."
"That's insane," James snapped.
"June wasn't in her right mind when she fell for William," Jennifer said, "her and I were living together. She started seeing her older married boss. I don't know if he saw her before or after his divorce the time line is unclear."
"And our granddaughter has been with Williams other daughter for the last year," Helen said.
"I've spoken to Teddy on the phone," Jennifer said, "she's only two years younger than me."
"So she's at least been with an adult," Helen said.
"Yes," Jennifer said, "I'm not going for custody of Danika. Blake and I can't afford another child."
"What if we did," James said.
"It could be a fight," Jennifer replied, "Teddy has had custody for over a year and was supporting Danika long before that."
"Why weren't we contacted," James said.
"I don't know," Jennifer said, "what I know is Danika didn't know we exist. Teddy was already on all of her school stuff. Maybe William had set something up before he died for Danika? Maybe he planned for her to go to Teddy?"
"What time of name is Teddy," James growled, "Danika is a strange one two."
"William I guess," Jennifer shrugged.
Craig knocked then opened the door.
"Danika," Jennifer said, rushing to the door.
"Have a seat," Craig directed.
Danika saw the strange woman rushing at her and ducked back behind Teddy.
"You're okay," Owen said.
"Jennifer, Helen, James," Craig said, "this is Teddy, Owen and Danika."
"Hello," Owen greeted reaching to shake their hands.
"Danika," Teddy said, "this is your aunt and grandparents."
"Hi," Danika whispered.
Helen walked towards them, "you look like your mom at your age. I'm happy to finally meet you."
"Really," Danika asked.
"Yes," Helen said, "come sit and talk to your grandma."
"Grandma," Danika asked.
"Would Helen make you feel better," Helen asked.
"I don't know," Danika said.
"Take your time and think about it," Helen smiled, "come sit. We brought some home made cookies. Do you like oatmeal chocolate chip?"
"Yes," Danika said, "my mom made them sometimes with cinnamon."
"These have cinnamon," Helen said, "come have some."
"Teddy," Danika asked.
"We're coming," Teddy said.
"We haven't met," Helen said.
"Dr Teddy Altman," Teddy said, "and this is dr Owen Hunt."
"Altman so your Williams eldest," James said.
"I am," Teddy said, "did you know our dad?"
"I met him a couple times," Jennifer said.
They took seats and Helen took the lid off the container of cookies.
Owen paused he knew bribing Danika with sweets often worked and oatmeal chocolate chip were her favorite. He had been making them sometimes because both Danika and Teddy liked them.
"These taste like moms," Danika smiled with tears in her eyes.
"Good," Helen asked.
"They remind me of mom," Danika said.
Teddy squeezed Danika's hand and whispered, "hold on to the happy memories."
"Danika what grade are you in," James asked.
"Starting tenth," Danika replied.
"Are you playing sports," Jennifer asked.
"Danika goes to Park Ridge it's an independent ballet school," Teddy said.
"I dance," Danika said.
"Have you been at the ballet school long," James asked.
"I started in fourth grade," Danika said, "I boarded from
Fourth to eighth."
"June was a beautiful dancer," Helen said, "she must have been proud."
"I don't know," Danika said, "I didn't go home much."
"Danika was at school 49 weeks a year until she moved in with me last July " Teddy said.
"We lived too far from school to go home more," Danika repeated the lie June would tell her.
"I'm sure," James replied, "Teddy if you were in Seattle why didn't Danika live with you before to go to school?"
"We were deployed with a forward surgical unit," Owen said, "we were both with army medical command as surgeons."
"Thank you for your service," James said.
"Doing our job " Owen replied.
"I talked to Danika every chance I got and we wrote all the time," Teddy said.
"Did my mom tell you about me," Danika asked.
"No," Helen said, "we hadn't seen her in years. We had expressed some concerns about her relationship with your father being so much older and having an adult child. June stopped talking to us after that."
"I didn't know," Danika said.
"Teddy were you close to William and June," Jennifer asked.
"I talked to my dad and Danika once or twice a week and took care of Danika when dad was sick but June was only six years older than me," Teddy said.
"I didn't know," Helen said, "so Danika other than dance what do you like to do?"
"Swimming and bike rides," Danika said, "I love to read."
"What do you like to read," James asked.
"Anything," Danika said.
"Have you read any of James Mitchners work," James asked.
"Not yet," Danika said.
"Library on the way home," Owen asked.
"Can we," Danika asked.
"Yes," Teddy agreed.
"What's the book called," Danika asked.
"Try Alaska or Hawaii," James said, "they're all about places and how they change over time. It's a college reading level so if your unsure of something you call your grandpa."
"Do you read," Danika asked.
"I do," James said, "I taught literature at western Washington university. You come by your love of books honestly."
"Our dad was in publishing," Teddy said.
"That Altman," James said.
"Yes," Teddy replied.
"Dad always read to me," Danika said, "even if my teacher said I was too young for chapter books dad sent them to school anyway."
"Read," James said, "as much as you can and anything you can. Do you have a favorite book?"
"Author," Danika said.
"Which author," James asked.
"I really liked Phillip Pullman's dark materials and Louisa May Alcott," Danika said.
"Opposites," James commented.
"She reads anything," Owen said.
"Got me in English class. Miss Whitman wouldn't accept my book report on the Kite Runner," Danika said, "she said to choose any book and I had been reading it at home and talking about it with Teddy and Owen."
"We both read it and had worked in that part of the world," Teddy said, "it was eye opening and good for her to read and talk about."
"The teacher was wrong," James said, "that would be a window book for you because it shows you a new place and perspective. Little women is a mirror because it references something familiar. Both are good but we learn most from window books."
"Your cousins like Harry Potter and twilight," Jennifer added.
"I like Harry Potter but lord of the rings is better," Danika said, "twilight was boring."
"Toiken," James said, "you are well read."
"Everything in the school library," Danika replied.
"Our dad always pushed me to read more and talk about what I was reading," Teddy said, "he would say no to candy but always yes to a new book. We're doing the same. Danika can read what she wants and we'll always buy her books. When the time comes we'll do the same with our daughter Allison."
"How old," Helen asked.
"Three months," Teddy replied, "we have 15 and three months both girls."
"Do you work," Jennifer asked.
"I'm on maternity leave now," Teddy said, "but I'm Chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Seattle Grace. And Owen is Chief of trauma surgery."
"Busy," Helen commented.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Teddy said.
"It's home," Danika added, "can you tell me about my mom?"
"We can," Helen said. She had relaized that with Danika in boarding school from such a young age she probably never really got to know her mother.
Their time up Craig knocked on the door and came in, "how did it go?"
"Okay," Danika replied.
Teddy nodded.
"Thank you for doing this," Jennifer said.
"Danika can you stay here with Owen," Teddy asked.
"Why," Danika asked.
"Trust me," Teddy said.
"Okay," Danika agreed.
Teddy followed the others out of the room and into Craig's office.
"I'm going to guess you want to see her again," Teddy said.
"We do," Helen said, "children need their grandparents."
"Craig how does it work," Teddy asked.
"At this time I'm still inclined to complete your petition for guardianship and full custody for you and Owen," Craig said, "so I forward it to the courthouse and the judge just has to sign off."
"With Jennifer, Helen and James," Teddy said.
"In our meeting this morning before you arrived," Craig began.
"We discussed that it is likely best for Danika to remain with you," James said.
"I was a social worker," Helen said, "I understand. Danika will have had a lot of bad experiences. It was clear today she is attached to and feels safe with you and your husband and that you both love her. She has her school and her friends here in Seattle. We would like to see her and to be able to email and talk to her on the phone."
"That sounds like a good idea," Teddy said, "we can work out a schedule later if you give me your numbers."
"I would like you to bring her up to Mount Vernon the Labour Day weekend to meet her uncle and cousins," Jennifer said.
"We're camping that weekend, the four of us with Owen's sister and her fiance," Teddy said, "get one more in before Danika goes back to school."
"Doing all the things June didn't do," James said.
"Yes," Teddy agreed, "making sure Danika has a childhood. I'd like her to talk to you on the phone and have you come down to visit us at home before we bring her to Mount Vernon."
"She's probably worried we're going to move her," Helen said.
"Very," Teddy said, "which is why her home environment is best for now."
"You're probably right," Helen agreed, "can we say good bye before we go?"
"Of course," Teddy agreed.
They found Owen and Danika in the lobby and all said good bye agreeing that Helen and James would call later that week and say hello.
Back in the truck Danika began to cry.
"What's wrong," Teddy asked.
"They didn't know," Danika sobbed, "mom didn't tell any one about me. Her parents, her sister, her friends it's like she never wanted me."
"I don't understand it either," Teddy said, "but when I talked to Helen everyone agrees you are best with us. You are staying with Owen and I."
"And Allison," Danika asked.
"And Allison," Teddy agreed.
"They won't try to take me," Danika said.
"No," Teddy said, "it's best for you to stay with us. Everyone agrees on that. We will keep you home until you're ready to leave."
"Do they want me," Danika asked.
"They came," Owen said.
"They want to know you," Teddy said, "your grandma made you cookies. And it made you smile. It was the first time you've smiled talking about your mom."
"There's days I wish I had a different mom because she didn't want me," Danika admitted.
"I understand that," Teddy said, "we want you. When I thought they might take you I panicked at the thought of losing you. Your aunt and grandparents want to get to know you. Phone calls, emails visit once in a while. You have cousins you could get to know. Danika we want as many people as possible around who love you. I know you were hiding behind me but Helen lit up when you came into the room. She didn't hesitate, she just wanted to see you."
"Only you and dad ever did that," Danika said, "I don't know what to do."
"You talk when you're ready," Teddy said.
"I get to stay home," Danika repeated.
"You are staying home," Teddy said.
"You're with us," Owen echoed, "we've got you."
"I know," Danika said, "I just like to hear you say it."
