Teddy sat on the back deck watching Danika and Allison playing on the swing. She smiled seeing her baby sister playing with Allison. They were a cute pair. The night before had been tough with the strange dreams both Dani and Teddy had. The night had ended with Teddy sleeping in Danika's bed, it had been a major regression for the teen, who had been clingy all morning
"Kiddo do you want lunch," Owen bellowed from the back deck.
"Hot dogs," Danika asked.
"We can," Owen agreed, "Teddy?"
"Sure," Teddy agreed, "we have the stuff and I don't have to cook."
Owen sat beside Teddy , "did you go back to sleep?"
"Not really," Teddy said, "I can't sleep in her bed. I don't sleep well when you're not home."
Teddy's phone buzzed on the bench between them. It was a text from Megan.
Megan, "you didn't tell me this hurt."
Teddy," what?"
Megan, "I'm in labour."
Teddy, "you saw me. Are you okay?"
Megan, "we're going to head to the hospital in a bit. We're still home."
Teddy, "pain relief?"
Megan, "yes."
Teddy, "you've got this. Let us know when you're ready to see us."
Owen looked at Teddy.
"We'll be auntie Teddy and Uncle Owen in the next 24 hours," Teddy smiled, "you excited."
"Worried about her," Owen said, "you were in so much pain."
"I worked until 24 hours before she was born," Teddy said, "Meg's been off a couple weeks."
"She has," Owen agreed, "you want to do that again?"
"We'll I've learned not to work to my due date," Teddy answered, "if we have another I'm done at 38 weeks. And not operating after 36."
"You'd miss the OR too much," Owen teased, "you were counting down until you were back at work."
"I don't know how not to work," Teddy said.
"Right now you're stressed," Owen said, running his hands down her arms, "Teddy breathe. Look, the girls are good."
"It's not the girls," Teddy said, "they're happy and playing. I miss my parents."
"Tell me about them," Owen prompted.
"I want them to meet you and Allison," Teddy whined, "to hold my kids."
"What would your mom say," Owen asked.
"She would be proud of me," Teddy said, "I hope. She would even have supported me taking guardianship of Dani. I probably would have moved Dani to New York and my mom would have helped me."
"With your half sister," Owen asked.
"She met Dani several times before Dad got sick," Teddy said, "usually my big things or when dad would bring Dani to New York and I would babysit. I wasn't planning on babysitting Danika but Dad needed me to and I had plans with my mom so I brought her with me and my mom was really good with her. While my dad had hurt my mom she told me that she couldn't be mad at Dani. That Dani was an innocent child and that she would always be kind to Danika because she had no say in what had happened or how."
"She sounds incredible," Owen said.
"She was," Teddy smiled, "or if I had wanted to come out here to be with you and keep Danika in her school my mom was close to retiring when she passed. She would have come out here with me. She wouldn't have understood me joining the army but she would have supported it and sent care packages and called me and written letters."
"I wish I could have met them," Owen said, "I've heard more about your dad."
"I tell Dani about him," Teddy said, "I didn't know June well enough to tell her about her mom. But we talked about Dad and last night just made it hard."
"Those dreams are hard," Owen said.
"Why now," Teddy asked, "why not two years ago?"
"Those things happen when they do," Owen said, "we were talking about making our family bigger, being parents, our family. I don't know. Your triggers for it might be different from mine."
"It was 9 years ago and that's the first time it's happened," Teddy said, "I didn't know what to do. I just wanted to show them our family."
"What did he say," Owen asked.
"That he's always watching," Teddy said, "and he knows. He said he likes you."
"Tonight," Owen asked, "we were supposed to go to Webber's, Patrick's parents are in town."
"We'll still go," Teddy said, "who knows when Megan will actually have the baby they're still at home it's almost noon. Honestly I would have preferred to just be you and I with Allison but we had to have Dani come visit and Meg had to drive her. If it's overnight or after dinner we wait and go see them in the morning."
"Are we still going tonight," Danika asked.
"Of course," Teddy said, "it's us and the Webber's."
"Patrick's parents and sister are here," Danika said.
"I know," Teddy said, "Adele texted. You need your bathing suit."
"Will you swim," Danika asked.
"We'll bring our stuff," Owen said, "see what the other adults are doing."
At the Webbers Patrick asked, "auntie do you want me to vacuum the pool?"
"Richard already did," Adele smiled.
"Is it just Danika's family," Patrick asked.
"Yes," Adele said.
"What do you know about Danika's family," Chris asked.
"I work with Teddy and Owen," Richard said, "Danika is a nice kid, a good girl."
"Her parents," Chris asked.
"Sister and brother in law," Patrick said, "her parents are dead, she lives with her big sister."
"You're okay with this," Chris rounded on Richard, "you think that's okay. Mom and dad would think that's okay. You're my brother. Patrick is my son!"
"We know that and we like having him," Richard said, "Chris we know he's your son. We love him and Sabie."
"Then why is he hanging out with a classmate who lives with her sister," Chris snapped.
"Teddy Altman is 20 years older then Danika at least," Adele said, "Chris she's a surgeon and a veteran."
"Owen Hunt, Teddy's husband is the same age as Teddy he's a trauma surgeon and a veteran," Richard said, "Danika might be Teddy's sister but they are raising that child."
"Of the kids Patrick hangs out with Danika has the strictest home life," Adele said, "that child gets grounded for something as little as talking back to a teacher. She is expected to be responsible and respectful. She has chores and baby sits her niece. Teddy is strict with her. I've seen it when they've come for dinner or for the kids to hang out in the pool, we go there for dinner. The night the kids went to a birthday party and things went sideways it was Owen and Teddy who drove Patrick home with no questions. The only thing they asked was who would be home when he got here or if he wanted to go to their house and wait for us.."
"They both are," Patrick said, "we can't just grab our bikes and go from their house like we do here. We have to give them our route we plan to take."
"Are you riding alot," Chris asked.
"A couple times a week," Patrick said, "more from Danika's."
"You didn't need a new bike," Chris said.
"We wanted to be practical," Richard said, "the chain was broken and the brakes, his bike was too small. It was his Christmas present. A bike and helmet."
"Richard, it's too much," Chris argued.
"We wanted to," RIchard said, "you told us to be practical. We thought it's a good quality bike that will fit him for a long time. Riding is healthy for him. Hunt takes a group of three of them on trails."
"Hunt," Chris asked, "not you?"
"Danika's guardian," Richard said, "my chief of trauma surgery, ex-military. Great with the kids. Expects them to be respectful but has fun with them. A Sunday afternoon bike ride and ice cream is normal stuff. Owen is in his late 30s and he likes to ride and teach the kids, it's healthy."
"His friends," Chris asked.
"Danika, Emilia and Asher," Richard said, "nice kids. Asher boards and is home now. Em's family is away so it's just Danika's."
"Adele," Jane, Patrick's mom said, "why does he have 9 or 10 white shirts and pairs of black pants."
"It's easier for me," Adele answered, "I take his school uniforms with Richard's work clothes to be cleaned. He has enough for 2 weeks. We said we would treat him as our own. That goes beyond feeding and getting him to school, helping with homework. We know his friends and have them over. Making sure he has what he needs in a way that is easy for us."
"What do you mean," Jane said, "he does his own laundry."
"He does his casual clothes and dance clothes," Adele said, "his school uniforms get cleaned. But he only has time for laundry on weekends and goes through 2 pairs of tights and two leotards at least in a day. It's not healthy for him to put sweaty dance clothes back on so he has 2 complete sets for each day of the week."
"He dances 6 days a week," Chris said, "why would you buy 12 sets? We sent 4."
"Healthier for him," Richard replied, "not letting sweat and bacteria sit on his skin. Less body odour with clean dance clothes part way through the day."
"That does make sense," Chris agreed, "has he been sick and you didn't tell us?"
"We call when needed but we keep him healthy," Adele said, "homemade dinner. Weekend treats or treats with friends. But good food, rest, down time, social time. He's had a couple colds but we told you and kept him home from school."
"Tonight," Jane asked.
"Chicken and potatoes on the BBQ with veggies," Adele said, "apple pie and Teddy was bringing salad."
"That simple," Chris asked.
"They like simple, the kids eat it," Adele said.
"Kids," Jane said, "he's 16."
"We know," Adele said, "Jane, Patrick likes simple dinners. Meat, carb, vegetables."
Owen parked the truck in the Webber's driveway, Danika hopped out of the back seat and grabbed the swimming bag.
"When will we hear from Megan," Danika asked.
"When they're ready," Teddy said, "Dani we talked about this, that we will go when Meg and Nate are ready for us. I wasn't quite ready for you and Meg but we knew you needed to see us. That's why Megan brought you for half an hour and she set the timer on her phone."
"But I want to see the baby," Danika argued.
"It's not here yet," Owen said, "plan on some time tomorrow kiddo."
Teddy knocked on the door and Adele let them in.
"Hunt, Altman," Richard said, "this is my brother Chris."
"Owen Hunt," Owen said offering his hand, "my wife Teddy."
"Chris Webber and this is Jane and Sabrina," Chris introduced.
"It's good to meet you," Teddy said shaking their hands, "this is my sister Danika and Owen and my daughter Allison."
"Danika, go join Patrick in the yard," Adele directed, "Sabrina."
"Sabie," Sabie introduced herslef to Danika.
"I'm Danika," Danika smiled.
"No nickname," Sabie asked.
"Dani but I hate it only my sister uses it," Danika said.
"Your sister," Sabie asked, "you live with your sister for the summer?"
"No always," Danika said, "two years now."
Sabie asked the question that always came next, "where are your parents?"
"Dead," Danika replied, "I live with my sister and brother in law. She's stricter than my parents ever were."
"Are you swimming," Sabie asked.
"Yes," Danika replied.
The teenagers were in the pool pretty quickly.
"Danika ear plugs kiddo," Owen shouted seeing them still in the bag.
"No," Danika said, "they hurt."
"An ear infection is worse," Owen said from the side of the pool, "six weeks. Mark is taking them out in September."
"Can he do them now," Danika asked.
"I'll ask," Owen replied, "he might be able to squeeze you in."
"What about his resident," Danika asked.
'Avery could do it," Richard agreed.
"Do I have to have another surgery," Danika asked.
"No," Owen said, "half hour in office tops. They'll numb you but your wide awake. We'll both go."
"I don't like having surgery," Danika said.
"You had a bad reaction to the antibiotics after your appendix," Owen acknowledged.
"You all stayed," Danika said.
"We did," Owen assured.
"Raising your sister," Jane said, "how did that come about?"
"Our parents passed," Teddy said, "I was 23 when Dani was born and the best fit for her."
"How long," June asked.
"Two years," Teddy said, "our dad 9 years ago now and Dani's mom 2 years ago."
"Half sisters then," Chris replied.
"Yes but we don't like to make that distinction," Teddy said, "our dad always said sisters."
"And your husband," Jane asked.
"When Owen and I met he knew about Danika and that I was involved in her care from the time our dad got sick," Teddy replied, "he knew I came to Seattle to raise Dani. we're both her legal guardians and went through the whole court process."
"How is it with the school," Jane asked, "I think Danika goes to school with Patrick."
"They do," Teddy agreed, "because they have copies of all the documents and even before that I had Owen on her paper work as an emergency contact, safe pick up and that he could get her grades once he moved into our house it's been easy."
"English class," Jane said.
"We've had problems," Teddy agreed, "she's Owen's ex."
"What happened there," Jane asked.
"They broke up about a year before Owen and I were together," Teddy said, "Owen and I were really good friends for a while. We met in the army."
"Can you teach her to drive," Jane asked.
"We are," Teddy said, "both of us my sister and brother in law. Is Patrick?"
"We can't," Adele said, "we need Chris and Jane to sign."
"I want to do it," Chris said.
"You're here for a couple weeks," Richard said, "let's go get his leaners you can start him over the summer break and I'll practise with him."
"I wasn't taught to drive in high school because our family was in New York at the time then had to learn in college and it was embarrassing," Teddy admitted.
The adults settled into conversation about work and raising teenagers while the three teens splashed in the pool.
When they got home Owen's phone rang.
"Riggs," Owen answered on the second ring.
"It's a boy," Nathan shouted, "Jacob Andrew Riggs."
"Hows he," Owen asked, 'how's Megan?"
"He's great and Meg is exhausted," Nathan said, "can you come tomorrow?"
"We will," Owen said, "I have to tell the girls."
Tell us what," Teddy asked.
"It's a boy," Owen said, "Jacob Andrew Riggs."
"How big," Teddy asked.
"7 pounds 9 ounces," Nathan replied, "he's healthy."
"When," Owen asked.
"A couple hours ago," Nathan said, "she just wanted the three of us."
"I understand," Teddy agreed, "how's Meg?"
"Tired and sore," Nathan said, "so in love with him. She won't put him down."
"Good luck with that," Teddy smiled, "we're happy for you."
"Congratulations," Owen smiled.
"Thanks guys," Nathan replied.
The next morning Owen and Teddy walked into the hospital with their girls.
"Dani," Owen warned.
"Quiet and wait to be asked," Danika rolled her eyes.
"Danika," Teddy warned.
"I know," Danika sighed.
"Teenagers," Mark chuckled seeing the family.
They quietly entered Megan's room.
"Hi," Teddy smiled.
"Owen, Teddy, Danika this is Jacob," Megan introduced the baby in her arms.
"He's beautiful," Teddy smiled, "Megan he's perfect."
"He is," Megan smiled at her son, "do you want to hold him?"
"I do," Teddy smiled.
"Allison this is your cousin Jacob," Owen said.
Danika looked at the baby, "he's so cute."
"Dani do you want to say hi," Megan offered, "you can hold him."
"Watch his head," Teddy reminded.
"Allison is only one I remember," Danika said.
Teddy took Allison from Owen to let him meet his nephew for the first time.
Evelyn joined them.
"Our family," Evelyn beamed, "we're all here."
"Your family," Danika said.
"Our family," Evelyn said, "four kids and three grandkids. Now come give your nana a hug."
Danika gave Evelyn a quick hug.
"Mom," Megan said, "you came back."
"Of course sweetheart," Evelyn smiled, "miss any time with this little man?"
"You didn't need to come back," Megan said.
"I want to be here," Evelyn said, "with all of you."
