"Breathe," Teddy said as they walked into the skyscraper that was home to their dad's publishing company.

"I don't know how to do this," Danika whispered.

"Like when you go to work fundraisers for me," Teddy said, "smile, be polite and stay with me."

"It's not like mom's friends," Danika asked.

"No sweetheart," Teddy said.

"Why can't I stay with Owen and Allison," Danika asked.

"We have to," Teddy said, pushing the button on the elevator, "hold my hand."

Danika took Teddy's hand.

A gentleman stepped into the elevator and looked at the sisters.

"Teddy Altman," the man said.

"Douglas," Teddy said.

"How long has it been Teddy," Douglas asked.

"10 years at least," Teddy said, "you remember my sister Danika?"

"Danika," Douglas said, "it's good to see you again. You were about 6 the last time I saw you. I'm Douglas. I was friends with your dad."

Danika looked to Teddy who nodded, "the last time you came to New York, the one where we went to the Zoo and to see Annie."

"I don't really remember," Danika admitted.

"You were really little," Douglas said, "and you only came out a few times with your dad. It's good to see you."

"You two," Danika said shyly.

"Are you two ready for this," Douglas asked.

"It's been a long time since I've been part of this," Teddy said.

"You were deployed, then in Seattle, why didn't you come the last two years," Douglas asked.

"The first year I was in Seattle Danika and I were just getting settled in the house, then last year I had a newborn," Teddy said.

"You have a child," Douglas asked.

"Her name is Allison, she's 14 months," Teddy said.

"So married," Douglas asked.

"His name is Owen," Teddy said, "him and Allison are at home."

"Home is," Douglas asked.

"Seattle now," Teddy smiled.

"Still working," Douglas asked.

"I'm the chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West and Owen is the chief of Trauma Surgery there," Teddy said, " Danika is still at Park Ridge."

"Park Ridge," Douglas asked, "Private?"

"Yes, with a good dance program," Teddy replied, "she's staying in New York for 4 weeks after this to do the summer ballet program at SAB."

"Are you staying," Douglas asked.

"No," Teddy said, "I'll go back to Seattle then Owen, Allison and I will come back at the end of the program to see Danika perform."

"Christine would like to see you," Douglas said, "both of you. We could schedule something when your husband is here."

"That would be better," Teddy agreed, she knew having Owen and Allison would help Danika calm down.

"I'll tell Christine and email you," Douglas said, "so Danika you live with your sister."

"For two years now," Danika said.

"And life in Seattle," Douglas asked.

"I've always lived there," Danika replied.

"Your school," Douglas asked.

"I've been there since fourth," Danika said, "I like it."

"Your teachers are good," Douglas asked.

"All except English," Danika said.

"We've had some challenges with her English teacher," Teddy said, "but Mrs. LaChance says there's a new English teacher next year."

"Do you like to read," Douglas asked.

"I do," Danika said, "I read anything."

"Current favourites," Douglas asked.

"I've been reading a lot of James Mitchener. I just finished Hawaii," Danika replied.

"Still in high school and reading Mitchener," Douglas said, "your dad would be proud. How did you get exposed to that?"

"My grandpa sent it to me," Danika said.

"June's parents are becoming a big part of Danika's life," Teddy said, "Dani's grandpa was a literature professor."

"So after highschool," Douglas asked.

"College with a dance program," Danika said, "I want to be a counselor or psychiatrist."

"Your sisters influence," Douglas said.

"Owen and I," Teddy admitted, "help as much as you can."

"No surgery," Danika said, "too much blood."

"I know you hate blood," Teddy said.

"The fact that it doesn't bug you is strange," Danika retorted.

They followed Douglas to the board room making small talk. There was a hush in the room when Teddy walked in with Danika, many had heard about Danika but never seen her. William had sheltered both of his kids from the business aspect, not bringing Teddy in until she was in college and they had seen pictures of but had never seen Danika.

"Is that Danika with Teddy," a man whispered.

"It must be," a second man said.

"Did Teddy really serve in the military," a woman asked.

"I did," Teddy said, coming up behind them, "this is my sister Danika."

"It's nice to meet you," The woman said, "I'm Isabelle. I knew your dad. Is this your first trip to New York."

"I came when I was 6 with dad," Danika said.

"Then she hung out with me when he was here and when I had to be here with dad, my roommate babysat," Teddy said.

"Do you two want any coffee," Isabelle asked.

"Yes please," Danika replied.

Teddy held up one finger to Danika. Teddy didn't like when Danika had a lot of caffeine, the teen became more anxious than normal and jittery. They had talked at home about limiting Caffeine to one tea or coffee a day while Danika was away.

Danika took a seat at the table beside Teddy. She chose to sit quietly and observe the meeting, occasionally whispering her questions to Teddy. Many of the people stared at the sisters, they looked alike, Danika was shorter than Teddy but most people in the room remembered Teddy's mom. Elizabeth, Teddy's mom, had been a tall woman, only an inch shorter than her husband, while June was barely 5 feet tall. It was clear to those watching the sisters through the day that Teddy was Danika's safe person.

At the end of the very long day Teddy and Danika walked out of the building towards their hotel chatting.

"Was it always like that," Danika asked.

"That was a lot for you," Teddy agreed.

"Was your life like that at my age," Danika asked.

"It was," Teddy said, "I went to a lot of big fancy things and to meetings with my parents. There were big fancy dinners and parties that I started to go to at 14 or 15. We have one when Owen and Allison are here. There is a dinner tomorrow we're going to."

"Do I have to go," Danika asked.

"Yes," Teddy replied, "we have to learn to do this. Dad and my mom were part of this world. We're part of this. Being in Seattle, having you on the west coast I can keep you out of a lot of it."

"I don't want to," Danika said.

"This isn't a choice for us," Teddy said, "Dani it's time we start doing these things. Dad was a bigger name then I've let you believe. So were our grandparents."

"I don't want to," Danika said.

"You're going to go with me to the small dinner tomorrow and the big one when Owen and Allison are here," Teddy said.

"I thought I was just coming to dance," Danika said.

"It's Friday you sign in for the summer session on Sunday," Teddy said, "this dinner is okay. Tomorrow will be fine."

"Is there anyone my age," Danika asked.

"I don't know," Teddy said, "it's a family thing."

"Can I just stay at the hotel," Danika asked.

"No," Teddy replied, "you have to come. Addison from work is in town and her family was often at this type of thing so she could be there."

"That doesn't help with having people my age," Danika pouted.

"I know," Teddy said, "I don't want you to be part of this world. Once in a while when we have to but not regularly."

"Is this why I go to some of the fundraisers for work with you," Danika asked.

"It is," Teddy agreed, "those have been little ones. We should start having you come to bigger things to learn about this world. I don't like this world. I left it. I pushed it away and Med school and residency were great excuses that I didn't have time. I would do the odd thing when I was here working at Columbia but even then I would say I was working. People didn't understand me being a surgeon, and they really didn't understand why I worked for the hospital instead of my own practice."

"You said you can help more people," Danika said.

"I can this way and I do a ton of pro bono work for people that can't pay me or pay for surgery," Teddy said, "we do what we can to help others."

"Isn't that just a given," Danika said.

"Yes and we need to get you doing more volunteer work this year," Teddy said, "twice a month at the hospital isn't enough anymore."

"Could I go every week," Danika asked.

"You could," Teddy agreed, "and your school is looking for volunteers to help with preschool classes. You could help there."

"Not baby ballet," Danika said, "I didn't like helping with baby ballet when I lived on campus."

"This is different now that you're older," Teddy said, "you'd be helping teach not holding hands and walking kids to the bathroom."

"I only like one little kid," Danika said.

"Allison," Teddy smiled.

"Yes," Danika replied.

"When you were little I only liked one kid," Teddy said, "but as my friends started having kids I got to know and love more."

"Do I have to go to the dinner," Danika asked.

"Yes," Teddy said, "stop trying to argue with me about it. Danika I made the decision."

"I'm scared," Danika said, using the one thing that would usually make Teddy reconsider her decisions.

"I know your nervous but we have to do this," Teddy said, "it's really important that we do. You would have met these people when you were really little."

"I don't remember," Danika complained.

"I know," Teddy said, "take tomorrow like you did today. Just stay with me. If Addison is there talk to her."

"Why did Sloan disappear," Danika asked.

"I dont know," Teddy said, "you didn't like her anyway."

"I dont," Danika said, "she was fake."

"Your school is full of fake girls," Teddy said.

"Not Emilia or Lizzie," Danika said, "they're normal."

"The girls who live at home are," Teddy agreed.

"Patrick," Danika said.

"He's with family, not boarding," Teddy said.

"Will you and Owen really come to the final performance," Danika asked.

"We will," Teddy said, "we like watching you perform."

"Owen," Danika asked.

"Always," Teddy said.

"Then do we get to see Megan's baby when I get home," Danika asked.

"Before you go back to school," Teddy said, "the end of August."

"Can they come to the performance," Danika asked.

"No," Teddy said, "it's too far and Megan can't fly now. They came to every performance and recital this year."

"Megan is loud when she cheers," Danika said.

"Megan is just loud," Teddy said.

"She's getting grouchy like you did," Danika said.

"She will," Teddy shrugged, "just be patient. We see her at home when she's trying to relax."

"She's like Owen they don't relax," Danika said.

"None of us really do," Teddy said, "you're learning it from us. You don't just sit and watch TV. you read or paint, we go for bike rides and walks as a family."

"TV is boring," Danika said.

"I know it is," Teddy agreed, "we packed a couple books and you have a new sketch pad and pencil crayons."

"My markers," Danika said.

"I know you had those on the plane," Teddy said, "use those things during your summer program when you get stressed or overwhelmed."

"I wish Em could have come," Danika said, "but she didn't get the scholarship she needed."

"I know," Teddy said, "this is one of those times that we're really lucky dad was able to do what he did for us. Part of being in that world I try to avoid means we have opportunities like your summer intensive, or when I would go to gymnastics or soccer camps. I don't like using it unless it's to educate you and Allison."

"Will you have another baby," Danika asked.

"I'm 39," Teddy said, "that's getting older for having babies. I wouldn't say no to another baby but right now we're enjoying you and Allison."

"People will think your my mom," Danika said.

"I know," Teddy said, "sometimes letting people think that makes it easier for your school stuff. Your teachers and principal all know, not all of the other kids parents do."

"Because Owen is the opinionated one in parents meetings," Danika said.

"We have different styles," Teddy said, "he's more public with his disapproval and arguments. I threaten to move you. We almost did to Sloan's school if the english teacher wasn't changed."

"I have the new one," Danika said.

"What will you say about your family at the summer program," Teddy asked.

"The truth," Danika said, "my parents have passed and I live with my sister, her husband and my niece."

"And if the other kids don't understand," Teddy asked.

"It's not my problem," Danika said.

"What if they question like at your school," Teddy asked.

"They didn't know me before," Danika said, "I'm the only one from my school here."

"It'll be fun," Teddy said, "a little taste of what college could be like with a new room mate and kids from all over."

"I've had that at school," Danika said.

"You always had your own bedroom," Teddy said, "now you're sharing for the month."

"What if I get scared," Danika asked.

"You call home and talk to us, text us," Teddy smiled, "any time day or night."

"Anytime," Danika asked.

"Anytime," Teddy assured, "you've got this Dani. you can do a month here. You'll be so busy with dance and all the other events you won't have time to miss us."

"But when you were away before I missed you," Danika said, "and I was at school and had school work and dance."

"This time you know you're coming home to us and we will be there," Teddy said, "you know we will be back for the performance then we'll spend a few days exploring with Owen and Allison. Central park, broadway, statue of liberty, do the tourist thing as a family."

"We go to a play with camp," Danika said.

"You go see Wicked," Teddy said, "I have tickets for all of us to see the Lion King."

"Owen," Danika asked.

"He doesn't know," Teddy said, "but he'll like it. It's his favorite Disney movie."

"Can Allison go," Danika asked.

"Not really but we're trying it," Teddy said.

"Teddy," a woman called, "Teddy Altman?"

Teddy spun around, "Claire?"

"Teddy," Claire said again, "you're back? Are you coming back to Columbia?"

"No," Teddy said, "just in town for a few days getting Danika settled at SAB for the summer."

"Danika," Claire said, "no Danika is six."

"Claire this is Danika," Teddy said, "she's 16 now. Dani Claire was my roommate when I was working at columbia."

"With the bird lady," Danika said, "the first Allison."

"Yes," Teddy said.

"First Allison," Claire asked.

"I have a 14 month old daughter," Teddy said, "I named her Allison."

"You named her after," Claire began

"My best friend," Teddy cut her off.

"Danika do you remember much of New York," Claire asked.

"Not really," Danika replied.

"SAB isn't that a ballet school," Claire asked.

"It is," Teddy said, "she's just here for the one month summer program. She'll come home afterwards and we'll have a normal family summer."

"Where is your daughter," Claire asked.

"Seattle with my husband," Teddy answered.

"You're married," Claire asked.

"A couple months ago," Teddy said, "Allison is home with Owen. They'll come at the end of the program and watch Danika dance."

"Why are you coming back," Claire asked.

"We have custody of Danika," Teddy said.

"Your step mom," Claire asked.

"Passed two years ago. I went to Seattle once June passed to be with Danika," Teddy said, "what are you doing?"

"I'm just here for a few days to consult," Claire said.

"Personally," Teddy asked.

"Her name is Clara," Claire replied, "I know Claire and Clara. We're in Florida now and we have a small practice. Where are you working?"

"I'm Chief of cardio at Seattle Grace," Teddy said.

"With a baby," Claire said.

"Two kids at home," Teddy said, "Danika lives with us."

"Your husband," Claire asked.

"I've known Owen since I joined the army we worked together in Iraq," Teddy said, "when we started dating I had custody of Danika already."

"He's cool," Danika said.

Teddy smiled hearing that.

"So you went from here, to the army to married with two kids," Claire said.

"Essentially," Teddy agreed

"Do you ever think about her," Claire asked.

"All the time. I named my daughter after her," Teddy said, choosing her words carefully. Suddenly aware Claire knew about her affair with the first Allison and not wanting Danika to know right that second. Teddy had told Owen not quite the full story but a lot of it. She didn't know if Danika would understand at that moment so wanted to leave it for now.

"She would have called herself auntie to your baby," Claire said.

"She would have," Teddy agreed.

"She was nice when she babysat," Danika remembered, "she'd get birds to come land on the fire escape and make pancakes."

"She did that a lot," Teddy smiled, "she liked to spoil you."

"We all did," Claire said, "then your dad would get mad."

"Only when she was high on sugar or caffeine high," Teddy replied, "I get it now. Owen and I went on our honeymoon and came home to a very cranky toddler because she was off her schedule. Owen's sister and her fiance stayed with the girls."

"And we had been eating take out like all week," Danika said, "Megan and Nathan don't cook."

"She's not a good cook," Teddy said.

"He burnt grilled cheese," Danika said.

"Next time you want Evelyn to stay," Teddy said.

"Or Megan to take cooking classes," Danika said, "Evelyn makes curfew an hour earlier than you do."

"And Megan or Riggs," Teddy asked.

"Normal time or he's late to pick me up from friends," Danika said.

"You started a whole new family," Claire commented.

"Owen and my family," Teddy said, "the four of us. People make assumptions about me seeing Danika but that's okay."

"The first time I met Danika I wondered," Claire admitted.

"She's my sister," Danika said, "we did the DNA test."

"When do you fly out," Claire asked Teddy.

"Monday morning," Teddy replied.

"Do you have time for a drink while your here," Claire asked.

"Sunday night," Teddy said, "Danika checks into SAB at 3 on Sunday then I have the night on my own. First time in two years."

"Two years," Claire asked.

"No kids," Teddy said, "no Owen."

"Have a drink with me," Claire suggested.

"The old place," Teddy suggested.

"Sure," Claire said, "happy hour?"

"5:30," Teddy confirmed.

"I'll see you then," Claire agreed.

"See you sunday," Teddy replied.

"I should go," Claire said.

"It was good to see you," Teddy said.

Teddy turned and walked down the street with Danika.

"That was awkward," Danika said, "I thought she was your friend."

"She was," Teddy said, "then I ran away. I had lost dad, my mom, my best friend, I wasn't being allowed to see or talk to you. I didn't know where to go so I joined the army."

"Why didn't you come to Seattle if you wanted to run," Danika asked.

"I wasn't thinking clearly," Teddy said, "I wanted to fight the people that took Allison and I needed to protect you. I wasn't thinking. Two weeks after 9/11 I was at the recruters office. I came to see you in November and set a couple things up with your school. I was rushed through basic training because they needed surgeons yesterday and I was in Iraq by February."

"You only told me a few days before you left," Danika said.

"I didn't want to scare you," Teddy said, "so I didn't tell you until it was a done deal. But I came to see you and called and wrote as much as I could."

"I talked to you more than I talked to my mom," Danika said, "you always emailed back."

"And now it's your turn for an adventure," Teddy smiled, "you write to me as much as you want. I want to know how your days go and what you're learning. Pictures of you and your friends, the videos of you in the studio. Send all of that home to us kiddo."

"Only Owen calls me that," Danika groaned.

"I know it's his name for you," Teddy said.

"You can't," Danika said.

"Then I won't," Teddy said, "call and email as much as you want. We're going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you two," Danika said.