Danika walked down the steps of her school and saw Owen's truck.

"Hi Owen," Danika said as she opened the back door to throw her back pack in.

"Careful," Owen said, not wanting Danika to throw her school bag at Allison in the backseat. Danika smiled at Allison.

"Hi Allie are you awake," Danika asked, "do you have a smile for auntie Dani?"

Allison giggled.

"Let's go kiddo, we're holding up the line," Owen said.

Danika put her backpack on the backseat and got in the passenger seat.

"I thought Teddy was coming," Danika said.

"Her first full day back," Owen said, "she's in the OR already."

"She missed it," Danika said.

"How was the first full day of school," Owen asked.

"School," Danika said, "people are talking about you standing up in the parent meeting on Tuesday night."

"They're cracking down," Owen said, "we come next week to do a whole school assembly and then talk to grade groups."

"Even the little kids," Danika said.

"Fourth grade and up," Owen said, "then we'll take each grade. Doing the planning your grade has the biggest problems and the most injuries because of it. I'm going to talk to your grade."

"Do I have to be there," Danika asked.

"Yes," Owen said, "it's nothing we haven't talked about before."

"But at my school," Danika said.

"Yes," Owen replied, "it's your English block I think."

"So with Miss Whitman," Danika said, "don't you hate her?"

"She's my ex," Owen said, "but I don't hate her. She's a nice person but not the right person. Teddy is the right person."

"Why you," Danika asked.

"We wanted your grade with one of us and Teddy has a huge surgery that day," Owen said, "you'll have me and Richard. Teddy and I think its best for you to have me there. Which ballets are you doing this year?"

"Nutcracker again and then Swan Lake with the company and my grade is doing Rodeo for the winter showcase and the whole school does some Balanchine stuff for year end. My class gets to learn parts of Jewels and Serenade," Danika said.

"Rodeo, how does that work," Owen asked, "horses on pointe like your chicken dance?"

"I don't know yet," Danika said, "but the focus this year is American choreographers only Swan Lake isn't an American choreographer."

"I like the focus on American choreographers," Owen said.

"Apparently it ties with history," Danika said.

"History today," Owen asked.

"Yes," Danika said, "world wars this year."

"We have some movies to watch then," Owen replied.

"Was your war a world war," Danika asked.

"No," Owen said, "it wasn't. It's still happening. It will be for a long time. We've talked about this."

"Why do I think you know more about that one then my social studies teachers," Danika asked.

"Because we were there," Owen replied, "math?"

"Review," Danika said, "commas in english and she's pre approving all essay topics this year."

"You still write your opinion," Owen said, "do you have dance exams the one with the old English lady?"

"We take our advanced 2 ballet exam this year if we want to," Danika said.

"You did the advanced one last year," Owen said.

"I did, in July," Danika replied.

"Do you want to do this one," Owen asked.

"I have to talk to you and Teddy," Danika said, "it's extra lessons and privates again and the exam fee."

"I'm sure we can do it," Owen said, "the private lessons were the extra cost and we'll look closer to your exam. The exam cost itself is worth it, it gives you something that shows your skills on an international standard."

"If I do well I can do my solo seal after this," Danika said, "then that's an instant ticket to a company."

"That's still three years away," Owen said, "graduation, your highschool diploma is a requirement."

"The solo seal takes two years," Danika said.

"Confirm but I think Teddy will say yes," Owen said.

"I've always had RAD exams," Danika said, "I did my first one when I was 5. This year is my last one."

"We're still watching the training hours," Owen declared.

"Teddy said that," Danika replied, "what's for dinner? I'm starving."

"They didn't feed you," Owen asked.

"I had lunch and all my snacks," Danika said.

"You grew this summer," Owen said, "dinner is BBQ chicken breasts, little potatoes and veggies in foil on the grill then you have to make the salad."

"Any salad," Danika asked.

"Use what's in the fridge," Owen said.

"When is Teddy home," Danika asked.

"8 or 9," Owen said, "we'll eat without her."

"That always feels mean," Danika said, "she waits for us."

"If she's the only person home," Owen said, "you two eat with out me or you and Meghan."

"We do," Danika said, "I'll miss Meghan when she moves out this weekend."

"She'll still be around," Owen said, "and it's just my old place she's not far. We'll still have Sunday dinner with my mom."

"Are her and Nathan living together," Danika asked.

"They are," Owen replied, "it's normal and healthy. What do you think of Nathan?"

"He's okay," Danika said, "he's nice enough."

"I've known him a long time," Owen said, "so has Teddy. We wouldn't have him home around you and Allison if we didn't think he was a good person."

"It's just more new adults," Danika said.

"It's okay," Owen said, "we've told Nathan your story. Just be polite."

They pulled into the driveway at the same time as Meghan.

"How was the first full day," Meghan asked seeing Danika get out of the truck.

"School," Danika said as she got her back pack and walked over.

"Come on princess," Owen said as he took Allison's car seat out of the back of the car.

Allison continued to babble.

"Auntie Dani was talkative after school today wasn't she," Owen said, "I see why mommy likes to pick her up."

Danika went in and ran up to change, she met Meghan in the kitchen to help prep the veggies and salad for dinner.

"Any cute boys at school," Meghan asked.

"Two new ones," Danika giggled.

"Ohh," Meghan teased.

Meghan had taken on the role of the cool aunt to Danika. Sometimes she could get Danika talking about things Danika wouldn't tell Teddy or Owen. Meghan wasn't the authority figure.

"I got paired with one in anatomy and Mr Swatzky keeps the same partners all year," Danika said.

"Name," Meghan said.

"Asher," Danika replied, "he's cute."

"What does he look like," Meghan asked.

"Tall, brown hair, blue eyes," Danika said, "but I'm not popular and guys who look like Asher go for the popular girls. Most of the popular girls board."

"So you and your friends that live at home get left out of things," Meghan asked.

"Sometimes," Danika said, "but I didn't like the popular girls when I lived at school."

"Popular is overrated," Meghan said, "don't get caught up in it all."

"Owen had to say something about the partying," Danika said.

"Pisses me off two," Meghan said, "there's no reason for people to come in to get their stomachs pumped at any age. I'm coming to teach the girls in your grade with Teddy for sex Ed."

"Really," Danika said, "both of you?"

"Yea," Meghan said, "do you really want Christina or a Grey?"

"No," Danika said, "I don't like Christina, she scares me."

"She's intense," Meghan agreed, "there's no reason for people to come in to get their stomachs pumped at any age."

"I've had this lecture many times," Danika groaned, "my mom Was an alcoholic drug addict. I know. I don't want to ever."

"It's just everyone protecting you," Meghan said.

"Why do Teddy and Owen act more like my parents than my mom ever did," Danika asked.

"They love you and want what's best for you," Meghan replied.

"Kids at school make fun of me for it," Danika said, "people think I'm weird and some aren't allowed to be my friend because of it but could be my friend when mom was alive."

"It's different and not the norm," Meghan said, "do people at school know why?"

"A lot," Danika said, "only close friends know how my mom died."

"What about your dad," Meghan asked.

"I talked about him in health last year when they talked about smoking," Danika said, "my whole grade knows."

"I know you understand that," Meghan agreed, "it's hard to lose your dad so young."

"I miss him," Danika said, "I don't really remember him and it makes Teddy sad when I ask about him."

"She misses him two," Meghan said, "Owen still has a hard time talking about our dad. Teddy tells you little snippets when she has good memories to share."

"She does," Danika said, "usually at story time. Ones she remembers dad reading her or dad and her reading to me."

"That's a good memory for you," Meghan said.

"If I lived with an aunt and uncle or foster parents would the people at my school think it's as weird," Danika asked.

"I don't think so," Meghan answered, "you're with family who love you. It might make more sense to people if you lived with someone you called aunt and uncle or foster parents but they would still talk."

"How do I make them stop," Danika asked, "I don't like it."

"I don't know if you can," Meghan said, "you know the truth."

"They keep comparing me to shameless," Danika complained.

"Your life is very different," Meghan said, "yes you live with your sister and brother in law but Teddy and Owen are 23 and 20 years older than you. They're educated surgeons and veterans. You say you feel better here then you did with your mom. Your parents didn't choose to leave you."

"Mom did," Danika said.

Teddy had come in earlier than expected, "dad didn't choose to leave us. Dani the last thing he said to us was that we had to stick together."

"Daddy said to trust Teddy," Danika said with tears in her eyes.

"He did," Teddy replied, "I was there. I remember."

"He said he loved me and would be an angle protecting me," Danika whispered.

"He is," Teddy promised, "dad loved you so much. He loved us. He told me to protect you and to love you. He had me promise to be there for you. He didn't have to ask. I knew the moment I first held you as a newborn that I loved you and was going to be with you no matter what. I know I'm in a funny role in your life. I'm your sister and that will never ever change."

"But you act like my mom," Danika interrupted, "you've been more of my mom then mom ever was."

"I will always love you and want what's best for you," Teddy promised, "I knew that the first time we met and it hasn't changed."

"I don't remember the first time we met," Danika said.

"You were asleep most of my first visit to you," Teddy said, "but I loved holding you and reading to you and giving you your bottle."

"Like I do with Allison," Danika smiled.

"Like that," Teddy said.

"I know I'm her aunt but I want to be the big sister for her you are for me," Danika said.

"I know you'll always love and protect her," Teddy said.

"Always," Danika said.

Teddy gave Danika a quick hug.

"How was the first day of school," Teddy asked.

"School," Danika replied.

"Did something happen," Teddy asked.

"The usual comments that bug me," Danika said, "I can't change it."

"I think when we come in and they see we're not just randoms it will help," Teddy said, "let people beyond your friends get to know us. But you only have a half day friday."

"Why," Danika asked.

"Mark wants to check and possibly remove your tubes," Teddy explained.

"Do I have to have an operation again," Danika asked.

"Removal isn't surgical," Teddy replied, "just in his office while you're awake."

"Does it hurt," Danika asked.

"He puts lidocaine drops in it will numb your ear," Teddy explained, "first day of classes how did it look?"

"Were studying American choreographers this year," Danika said, "it ties with history, the revolution again, civil war and world wars."

"You should know your history," Teddy declared.

"That's what Owen said," Danika replied, "why are you home early."

"The patient didn't make it," Teddy said.

"I'm sorry," Danika replied, "you hate that."

"I do," Teddy agreed, "but when I went into the OR it was a long shot."

"What happened," Danika asked.

"His aorta was starting to pull away from his heart," Teddy explained.

"Ow," Danika said.

"Teddy," Owen said, coming in with the platter from the BBQ.

"I lost him," Teddy said, "aortic arch dissection. I was just too late."

"I'm sorry," Owen said, hugging her.

"Now I need one more hug," Teddy said.

"Her swing," Owen said, "I've been keeping an eye on her while Meg and Dani talked."

"Thank you," Teddy said.

Danika grabbed the dishes and utensils and set the table for the four of them.

"It will be weird to only set three places," Danika commented.

"We'll still come all the time," Meghan said, "and you can come hang out with Nathan and I."

"Sunday at my moms," Owen said.

"We're back in routine now," Teddy said, "school, work, daycare."

"Routine is good," Owen agreed.

"Other then the gossip good first day of school," Teddy asked.

"It's school," Danika replied, "your first day of work?"

"A couple good surgeries," Teddy said, "Yang was sucking up."

"Yang always sucks up for cardio," Meghan said, "she tried to seduce Nathan."

"No," Teddy said.

"What does seduce mean," Danika asked.

"Make him like her and sleep with her," Teddy said.

"But Nathan is with Meghan," Danika said.

"I know," Meghan snapped, "he didn't go for it. He was appalled."

"She has no boundaries," Owen said, "she's hit on me for surgeries."

"Why," Danika asked.

"Because she wants to be the best and be close to those that could help her," Teddy said, "it's the stupid way to get what you want. You get ahead with talent and hard work."

"It doesn't matter at school, work or as a dancer you stand on your own two feet and talent," Owen said, "you demand respect for your hard work. You make people respect you and expect it from them."

"How," Danika asked.

"By calling them on it every time they dont," Owen said, "and you respect yourself."

"I'll try," Danika agreed.

"You'll practice," Owen said, "we'll help."

"You're getting better," Teddy said, "you've had more practice."

"At home," Danika said.

"It starts here," Teddy replied.

"You use your voice with Nathan and I," Meghan said, "and my mom."

They finished eating their dinner and finished cleaning up together. They settled into the evening routine with Danika doing her homework and reading while Teddy got Allison down for the night before making two cups of cocoa and brought them to the coffee table for their after homework chat.