Sunday morning Owen woke up to a text from Nathan, "Meg is feeling off today. I'm going to stay with her. Can we finish your attic room when she feels better?"
Owen texted back ," take care of her. Tell her to call mom or Teddy if she wants to."
Teddy stretched out and yawned, "what's wrong? Do we have to go to work? The girls will be fine."
Owen shook his head, "Nate isn't coming he said Meg isn't feeling great he wants to stay close."
"She's due tomorrow," Teddy said, "I felt off for a couple days before Allison was born. He should stay with her. I can help in the attic over the garage or Dani. I want to talk to her about moving to it. It's bigger, it's more space for her, we can let her pick the paint and flooring. I want to do hardwood everywhere downstairs and up here. I want the carpet out. Allison's asthma I think the carpet needs to go."
"Pick the flooring you want and we'll do it," Owen said, "I like doing the work on the house. hardwood should take a weekend."
"Not living with the house in pieces for 2 weeks while you do the floors after work," Teddy declared, "the attic room for Dani when she has another room to sleep in is fine but not the entire house. Owen I can't handle the mess for 2 weeks and not being able to let Allison run around."
"The cost," Owen said.
"Owen we have the money," Teddy assured, "you've seen the numbers. Do the work in the attic space. I want to pay for the floors so it's done quicker. We also need to update the girl's bathroom."
"What does their bathroom need," Owen asked.
"The counter, tile, floors," Teddy said, "gutted and updated. I want the sliding glass on the tub to contain the water. I just painted it when we moved in. Danika was just excited to have her own bathroom and a real bath tub. The bubble baths and bath bombs that first summer."
"I can do the tile and the glass on the tub," Owen said, "the floor is easy so is the counter top. I did mom's bathroom a few years ago."
"We do the girl's bathroom they're using ours," Teddy said.
"That's fine," Owen said, "we can share."
"The kids," Teddy said, "if we're trying I do not want to be sharing during those first few weeks."
"When do you want to start," Owen asked.
"I have a week left in this pack," Teddy said, "let this pack of pills run out then see what happens?"
"Telling anyone we're trying," Owen asked.
"I've mentioned to Megan that we want another," Teddy said, "then I know you always said three or four kids. I know this will be our second baby together but we'd be raising three."
"I know we have two girls," Owen said.
"I want a boy," Teddy smiled, "one of each."
"We get what we get," Owen said.
"Telling the kids," Teddy asked.
"When we get a positive test," Owen said, "maybe tell Dani right away this time. She was so panicked that morning when I took her to school and you had been vomiting. Trying to get her out of the truck and into school."
"See how things go again," Teddy said, "it could take months and I want to move her to the bigger room first. Put her in the attic space to give her some room to move away from us a bit and grow up. The room is as big as ours."
"Bigger," Owen said.
"But we're splitting it off into a home office for us," Teddy reminded him, "so Dani gets the big space. Then the office downstairs can be a playroom. It already has all Dani's art stuff and games, most of Allison's toys are in the living room."
"That works," Owen agreed, "a small office for us. You like to work at the table."
"I like to work near where the girls are," Teddy smiled.
"Mama," Allison yelled.
"One is up," Owen said.
"I'll go get her ready," Teddy smiled.
After breakfast Owen turned to Danika, "hey kiddo Nate bailed Meg isn't feeling great. You want to help me take down the old drywall in the space over the garage?"
"I guess," Danika said.
"I know it's warm up there but you need jeans, long sleeves and sneakers," Owen directed.
"I'm going," Danika said, running up to change out of her shorts and tank top.
In the space over the garage Danika asked, "what's this room going to be?"
"A couple thoughts," Owen said, "we're going to take a third of it to be a home office then the other part is going to be another bedroom so we can turn the downstairs space into a playroom and games room."
"Who will sleep here," Danika asked.
Teddy came in with Allison on her hip, "we thought you might like it. It's more space, it's only going to be about 5 or 6 square feet smaller than our room and it's away from Allison's so it'll be harder for her to get into your things."
Danika looked sceptical, "what's the real reason?"
Teddy decided it was better to tell Danika right away then to surprise her, "Owen and I would like to have another baby. We've both always wanted a bigger family with three or four kids. I'm not pregnant yet and we don't know if I can have another baby or if I'm too old. If and it's a big if we have another baby we will need you to move to this room so the baby can be close to us. Right now another baby is a maybe, I don't know if or when. Dani with my age it's a long shot. We don't know and you are not to worry about it or ask. I will tell you if and when I'm ready for you to know. I know when I was pregnant with Allison I promised I wouldn't move you out of your room. We had just decorated it for you and made it yours. Right now you have a choice, you can stay in your room and move if needed or you can move sooner and we can have you pick the flooring and the paint and all the finishes in this room within a budget."
"Can I think about it," Danika asked.
"You can," Teddy said.
"Teddy I thought we were waiting," Owen shook his head pulling her to the other side of the room.
"I promised I would always be honest with her," Teddy whispered, "Owen we have to be honest or she won't trust us."
"Okay," Owen said.
"Dani, what I told you has to stay in this house," Teddy said, "not even Evelyn or Megan can know. It's a family secret."
"Okay," Danika agreed, "why do I move rooms?"
"You're the oldest," Teddy said, "and when you picked your room you wanted to be right beside me. We think you're ready for a bit more personal space. We can redecorate within reason moving to the bigger space and it will come with more privileges. You've shown your ready to have your desk up here and work independently."
"My computer," Danika asked.
"You can bring your laptop up," Owen agreed, "as long as you're responsible. No midnight facebook sessions with your friends."
"You have to keep the dresser, desk and bed you have," Teddy said, "they're new. You've only had them for 2 years. We can go find bookshelves for you and I want to put a spot in for you to do your hair and make up in your room so Allison doesn't get into that and ruin your makeup."
"Why would she," Danika asked.
"You stole red lipstick from me one time when dad brought you to visit and used it as a crayon," Teddy laughed, "you got into my eye liner, lipstick, blush. You were trying to paint with concealer. It was funny and adorable but it was a mess. You're 16 and you need your space."
"With you talking about UW," Owen said, 'having that space would be good. I did college there, lived with my mom. It saved a lot of money and a lot of stress. It's time you have some more space and more grown up space."
"Can we get new bedding," Danika asked.
"We can," Teddy agreed,she had known 2 years ago that Danika would outgrow the print she had chosen so hadn't bought the expensive set.
Teddy directed, "help Owen now and later when Allison is napping you and I can look on pinterest for ideas"
"Can I have a window seat," Danika asked, pointing to the big window.
"We can do that," Owen agreed, "maybe one that lifts up with some storage underneath?"
"I like that idea," Teddy agreed.
"Hardwood floors," Owen asked.
"I think so," Teddy said, "easier to keep clean. With Allison having asthma I want hardwood everywhere."
"Can my new room be purple," Danika asked.
"We can paint it purple," Teddy agreed, "do you want to move? It'll be a couple months."
"I do," Danika said, "be able to have friends over without Allison right there."
"That's fair," Teddy smiled, "you should be able to have your friends over with out your niece right there and Owen and I hovering. The boys rule doesn't change."
"I know," Danika sighed, "it's not fair though."
"It's respect kiddo," Owen said, "I agree with Teddy on that one. My mom had the same rule for Megan and I. She negotiated with us in college when we had serious relationships."
"That seems fair," Teddy agreed, "when you are in college we will discuss changing the rules for a serious relationship."
Teddy knew she had boys in her dorm in college and had gone to their dorms. She knew one day Danika would make those decisions but she didn't want her to yet. She was 16, she was too young. Teddy's first real boyfriend had broken up with her the day after she lost her virginity. She wanted to spare Danika that pain and humiliation. The gossip all over school. They were open with Danika that it wasn't bad but she needed the right boy first, someone who really loved her and had to be safe.
That night Teddy was tossing and turning in her sleep. Owen wasn't sure if he should wake her or if she was okay.
"Teddy, Theodora," William Altman called.
"Dad," Teddy gasped.
"Hi Teddy bear," William said.
"Why are you here," Teddy asked.
"To see my girls," William said.
"Dad, you wouldn't recognize Dani now," Teddy said.
"I watch you both," William said, "having you in the same house made it easier."
"Dad I failed with her, I didn't protect her," Teddy whispered.
"She was with June you couldn't know, she was with her mom," William assured, "you were fighting June to see Dani and being as present for her as possible. Bear I know you were going to fight June and refuse the money until you saw Dani. Until you could hug your sister and spend a week with her, really see her and make sure she was okay."
"But her ears, her appendix," Teddy said.
"You fixed both as soon as you knew," William said, "she looks to you now for security. You impress me Theodora. Your strength and bravery. Teddy you fight for and protect the people you love. And you are very loved. You found a good man. I wish it wouldn't have taken an army camp. Owen is a good man; he loves you and takes care of you. He is what I always wanted you to find. I wish I had met him Teddy. I like him. He knows you better than anyone ever has."
"We have a daughter," Teddy whispered.
"Allison," William smiled, "she looks like your mom."
"She does," Teddy agreed, "is mom okay?"
"She is," William promised, "she loves you, we both do."
"What do I do," Teddy asked, "how do I be a mom to Dani?"
"You do what you're doing," William said, "Bear when I asked you to protect and love her this isn't what I thought would happen. I thought you would visit her, fly her out for school breaks and visits. Spend long weekends together and go on adventures. I didn't expect you to be raising her. You're doing so well. She's gotten so grown up. She's smart. And you got Owen to teach her to drive."
"He took over because I failed at it," Teddy said, "Dani and I just yell at each other. I'm better not to be part of that. He gets bike riding, skiing and driving."
"She loves that bike," William smiled.
"She does," Teddy said, "it's how Owen cracked her shell."
"I am so proud of you," William said, "Teddy you are an incredible woman. I'm really impressed. You are doing amazing things."
"Daddy," Teddy whispered.
"I'm proud of you Theodora Grace," William said, "I love you. Now you need to sleep. I love you, hug my little sweet pea for me and give your daughter a hug from Grandpa."
"Don't go,' Teddy whimpered.
"It's time for me to," William said, "I love you and am so proud of you, proud of my girls."
Teddy sat up in bed and turned to Owen.
"Did you ever dream about someone who's gone but it felt so real," Teddy asked.
"Ya," Owen said, "what's going on Teddy?"
"I dreamed about my dad," Teddy sobbed, "he was talking to me. We talked. I he knows about you and Allison and Dani."
"Come here," Owen said, "do you want to tell me?"
"Just hold me," Teddy said.
Across the hall Danika snuggled deeper under her blanket and pulled her polar bear closer to her.
"Hey little one," William whispered, "it's daddy."
"Daddy," Danika asked.
"Yes," William said, "you've grown up."
"I live with Teddy," Danika said, "mom died."
"I know," William said.
"She's married," Danika said, "and has a little girl."
"Owen and Allison," William said, "you like them."
"He calls me kiddo," Danika pouted.
"He loves you," William said, "I know your mom and I can't be there but they are always going to be there for you. This isn't what I meant when I told you to trust Teddy and that she would be there. I thought you would visit her and hang out, go for adventures."
"She's the adventurous one," Danika said, "she joined the Army and only left for me."
"I know," William said, "I'm proud of you Dani. You're doing well. Keep trusting Teddy and Owen, they love you and want the very best for you. No matter what ladybug I'm proud of you. I love you so much and I really wanted to see you grow up. I'm sorry I'm not there sweet pea. I know things were rough with your mom for a few years. I'm sorry. I love you and I wanted to be there. I am always watching."
"Why did you leave," Danika whimpered, "did you not love us?"
"I love you so much, I didn't want to go," William said, "I was just too sick. I love you. I am so proud of the woman you are becoming, you are smart and talented and strong. I'm sorry I'm not there lady bug."
"I miss you," Danika whimpered.
"I miss you two," William said, "I am always watching. I will always be there watching. Every performance, every birthday, holiday. I am there and I love you. I want you to be happy. Sweet pea find something you love and that makes you happy. Do what makes you happy. I promise your sister will always be in your corner and there for you. And I am always watching. I will always, always be there no matter where in this universe you go. Bear is there. Give her a hug for me in the morning please."
"I love you daddy," Danika whispered.
"I love you two lady bug," William said, "sleep tight."
Danika startled out of her dream and got out of bed. She crossed the hall and opened Teddy and Owen's door.
"Teddy," Danika called.
"Hi sweetie," Teddy said, "what's going on?"
"Can you come here," Danika asked.
"Come in," Owen called.
"I want Teddy," Danika whimpered.
Teddy got out of bed and hugged Danika, "hey sweet pea do you want to sit with us or go back to your bed."
Hearing that Danika collapsed sobbing. Teddy guided Danika back to her own bed and sat with her, "let's go back to bed sweetheart."
"I dreamed about daddy," Danika whimpered.
"I did tonight," Teddy said, "he misses us."
"I miss him," Danika said, "I didn't get to know him."
"I know," Teddy replied, "I miss him so much. Dani he loved us, he loved you so much sweet pea."
"Daddy was calling me that," Danika whimpered.
"I know," Teddy whispered, "he told me to give you a big hug for him. Dani, he didn't want to leave us."
"Dad's don't want to leave their kids," Owen added sitting on the other side of Teddy, "I know you miss your dad. It's okay to miss him."
"He's proud of us," Teddy promised, "and he loves us."
"I know it's not the same," Owen said, "but Teddy and I are always here. We will not go anywhere."
"Why did daddy get sick," Danika asked.
"He had lung cancer," Teddy said, "Dani he didn't want to leave us. That was hard. You were so little."
"He didn't say good bye," Danika sobbed.
"He was too sick at the end to talk," Teddy said, "but he loved you so much. Daddy loved you. I promise you that. I love you. I am here and I love you."
"I love you too," Danika whispered.
"I love you kiddo," Owen said wrapping his arms around the sisters.
"I love you," Danika replied.
"You need to sleep," Teddy said.
"Can you stay with me," Danika asked.
"I will," Teddy promised, "but you need to lay down, grab your bear and scoot over."
Teddy laid down beside Danika and held her little sister's hand.
"Good night sweet pea," Teddy whispered.
"Night bear," Danika replied.
