Teddy dragged herself off the plane. She was exhausted, she had gone straight from work to the airport after having worked though the night before. Her stomach churned, she didn't know if it was nerves or morning sickness. But there was one thought that got her moving, Owen, once she got through customs he would be there waiting to take her into his arms. To hold her. He would take her home and she knew she would probably fall asleep in the car and he would let her sleep until they got to his place. She was exhausted but the news she had been keeping to herself for four days couldn't wait any longer. She would tell him after a shower and a nap. If they could keep talking daily then he took his leave closer to her due date so he could be with her when their baby was born she would be okay.
Teddy grabbed her bags and made it through the arrivals area.
"Teddy," Owen called, rushing towards her.
Reaching him she dropped her bag and threw her arms around him. He picked her up, spinning her around and kissing her.
"Welcome home," Owen beamed, kissing her.
"For a few days," Teddy agreed, "4 nights with you."
"I'm off," Owen said, "I traded with April. We can go home and relax. You can nap and I can hold you."
"The holding parts sounds great," Teddy smiled.
He grabbed her bag, "let's go home."
"Lead the way Hunt," Teddy smiled trying to sound brighter than she actually felt.
As soon as Owen pulled onto the freeway Teddy was asleep, he knew she would be the way she had been working all week and the travel. She had never adapted well to long flights and time changes. He knew going forward it would be better for him to go to her. He had noticed when he hugged her in the airport that her body felt different, it wasn't the way she melted into his arms, that felt right. Something felt different, she looked pale and drawn. He hoped going home, having a shower and a nap would help her feel better.
"We're home," Owen said, parking the truck.
"I'm so tired," Teddy whispered.
"I know," Owen said, "Teddy something is going on. Why won't you tell me? You tell me everything!"
"I will," Teddy assured, "trust me I will tell you. First I need a shower and to sleep for an hour. Then I will tell you. Owen I promise I will tell you."
"Go sleep Teddy," Owen said worried about how exhausted she appeared, "sleep first then shower and we'll talk. I'll just be in the living room."
"Can you lay with me," she whispered.
"I will," he agreed. He knew he wouldn't sleep but he would hold her while she did.
He unlocked the door and carried her bag inside, "welcome home Teddy."
"Home," Teddy smiled.
"Do you want the guest room or my room," Owen asked.
Teddy paused, he had shared that room and that bed with Amelia.
"You okay," Owen asked, "Teddy? What's wrong?"
"I don't know if I can sleep in her bed," Teddy whispered, "I can't sleep in the same bed as your ex wife."
"She hardly slept there," Owen said, "and I bought all new sheets and blankets before you came. Those are brand new for us."
She nodded.
"Do you want to sleep there with me, the guest room on your own," Owen asked.
"Guest room with you," she suggested.
"We can do that," He agreed. He carried her bag to the guest room and set it down.
"I didn't even offer you a choice when you came," Teddy said.
"I've stayed in your guest room before," Owen shrugged, "you wanted me with you. Teddy, this is all your call. I love you, I want to be with you. You're hiding something. Something is bothering you."
"Give me a minute," Teddy said, "I have something for you."
"We agreed that presents were for Christmas and Birthdays," Owen said, "It's not my birthday and I'll be in Germany for yours."
Teddy dug in her carry on for the small wrapped item.
"Teddy," Owen asked as she handed him the package.
"Open it," she said, not trusting her words to tell him.
He slowly unwrapped the little box.
"A box," Owen asked.
"Keep going," she whispered, "Owen please don't be mad at me. Whatever happens I need you in my life. You are my best friend, the love of my life. I can't lose you."
Owen put the box down, "Teddy you're scaring me."
She nodded and he could see the tears in her eyes.
"You're scared," Owen said, "it's just me. Why are you scared?"
She shook her head.
"What are you trying to tell me," he asked, "you came here to tell me something. You said we had to be face to face."
"Don't get mad," she whispered.
"I won't," he assured.
"The box explains it," she whispered, "I can't."
"Do you want me to open it with you or," Owen asked.
"Open it," she agreed.
Owen lifted the box and lifted out the onesie.
"A onesie," Owen asked.
"Read it," Teddy whispered.
"Hi daddy," Owen read.
He froze.
"Owen," Teddy asked."
"You're," he whispered.
"7 weeks," she whispered, "almost 8."
"When did you," Owen asked.
"Wednesday when I booked the flight," Teddy answered, "I didn't want to tell you on the phone or through facetime."
"Is it," Owen asked.
"Yours," She smiled, "ours."
"Have you had any appointments," he asked.
"Thursday," she smiled.
"Are you okay," he asked.
"We're both good," she said.
"We're going to be parents," he smiled, taking her in his arms.
"We are," she agreed, letting herself be held and melting into him, he kissed her gently.
"Your child is exhausting me," she whispered.
"Still want your nap," he asked.
"I need it," she whispered.
"What about," he asked.
"I'm not asking you for anything," she said, "we live on different continents. I can look into coming here but I still have 18 months on my contract."
"We're going to be parents," Owen beamed, hugging Teddy again.
She nodded.
"Now I'm really worried about how tired you are," Owen said, "you just did an 11 hour flight."
"I'm okay," Teddy said, "a nap, a shower and a snack."
"Cravings, aversions," Owen asked.
"Not yet," she answered, "some nausea but I'll be okay. Anaemic but that's my normal."
"Water, tea, juice," he asked, this wasn't what he was expecting for their few days together and he was not prepared for this. He had her favourite beer and wine, lots of coffee but she couldn't have alcohol or much caffeine. He had been planning on sushi that night, one of her favourites that she said sucked in Germany and they always had to do sushi when she came to visit.
"What's wrong," she asked, seeing the look on his face.
"I was not expecting this," he answered, "I bought beer and wine, your favourites and stocked up on different coffees."
"Owen," She smiled, "did you get my favourites?"
"I did," he smiled, "new favourites?"
"I haven't really had time to try," she said.
"How will we," he asked.
"I'm her now," she said, "you come in 6 weeks. I can travel until I'm 32 weeks. I'll try to work my schedule to come at least once before Christmas."
"I don't want you flying so much," he said, "you said 8."
"8 on Monday," she said, "so 6 weeks is 13 when you're supposed to come."
"Then if you could come 6 weeks after that at 19," he asked.
"Christmas is 28," Teddy sighed, "I want to do Christmas with your mom and Megan. Then I'll go home just after new years and have a week left to travel give us some wiggle room."
"Will you be okay," he asked.
"I will," she said.
"Let's plan on it and if you're not okay I'll come to you," he suggested, "when do you want me to come spend a couple months in Germany?"
"Then I need you to come for when they're born," she said, "I need you with me. You have to meet them with me."
"Let's try every six weeks then I'll come out when you're 37 or 38 weeks and stay for a few months," he suggested, "spend a couple months."
"Six weeks is better than our three months," she said, "but will Bailey let you have the time?"
"It's Bailey," he said, "she'll understand."
She yawned.
"Still want a nap," he asked.
She blushed, "yes."
"Do you want me to give you some space," he asked, "how are you feeling?"
"Exhausted," she replied, "but I want you to stay. I want you to hold me. God Owen I'm careful. I'm always careful. Then there was you and you were there and saying all the right things. Doing all the right things."
"Teddy, stop panicking," he said, " lay down. I'll sit with you."
"Hold me," she asked, "just for a while?"
"As long as you want me to," he smiled, sitting on the side of the bed and guiding her down with him, "lay down. I'm right here."
She slowly laid down trying to get comfortable. She had always slept on her stomach but that wasn't a choice now.
"What's wrong," he asked.
"I'm trying to learn not to sleep on my stomach," she laughed, "I have for 40 years I don't know how else to sleep."
"I know your left is supposed to be better," he said, "so lay down on your side and I'll hold you."
"But I can't see you," she replied, "I need to see you."
"You'll know I'm here," he assured, laying down behind her and putting his arm over her ribs pulling her close.
"Why is your hand on my abdomen," she asked.
"Meeting them," he murmured into her hair.
"Owen there's nothing there yet," she said.
"But they only get a few days with me now then we have to be apart," he said, "they have to know daddy loves them."
Teddy rolled to her back to look at him, "Owen are you happy?"
"Yes," he smiled, kissing her, "I'm very happy."
"When do we want to tell your family," she asked.
"Megan goes to work with you for a week in November," he said.
"November I'll be showing," she said, "she knows about us."
"She knows we're doing long distance," he said, "I don't want to be a long distance co parent."
"We'll work it out," she said, "we can't do it all now. You know you have a choice of how involved you want to be with me and the baby. The baby deserves their dad and I need my best friend but you have to want it. I don't want you to claim me because I'm pregnant."
"You said it," he beamed, "I've been waiting for you to say it."
"Say what," she asked.
"The word pregnant," he chuckled.
"You're the first person other than my OB I've said it to," she smiled.
He kissed her passionately.
"That's what got us in this situation," she sighed, "later. I'm tired and feel gross."
"Sleep Teddy," he said, "I won't go anywhere."
She turned to face him and he pulled her closer. She quickly shifted to use his chest as a pillow. He kissed the top of her head and slowly ran his hand up and down her side, the other arm wrapped around her waist. She smiled as she fell asleep. This was the reaction she had hoped for from him. He was happy he wanted her and their baby.
He smiled then softly kissed the top of her hair. He had learned six weeks earlier how affectionate she really could be especially when it was just them and behind closed doors. She had held his hand and hugged him for years as friends, jumping on his back after soccer games or demanding piggy backs when they had been joking around but this was a different side to Teddy. The way she had curled into him and asked him to hold her was almost needy, a side to her he had never seen. Usually when she was worried about something she became cold and aloof, carefully guarding her words until she reached a breaking point, got drunk and said it all in a single breath. She was his rock, the person he counted on. He knew the next few months would be hard on Teddy who prided herself on her independence and ability to do anything. She had always been proud of her strength and when they were younger would show up any guy who challenged her. He knew she ran or went to the gym every day. He smiled at the memory of the day he and Nathan had lost a push up contest to Megan and Teddy. Megan, what would he tell Megan? How could he tell his mom? They had time didn't they? You didn't usually tell people until after 12 weeks.
Eventually Teddy yawned and stretched.
"Rise and shine sleepy head," Owen joked.
"How long did I sleep," she asked.
"Just over an hour," he said, "do you need more?"
She shook her head, "a shower and some dry crackers."
"Nauseous," he asked.
"A bit and it's morning at home," she said.
"What helps," he asked, "can I go get anything l?"
"It only started a couple days ago," she said, "well I just noticed it. I didn't think I was. That I could be at our age."
"How did you not notice your period was late," he asked.
"I'd been working so much that I wasn't eating well and it happens to me more often than you realise," she snapped, "a couple weeks late and a long cycle when I've been super stressed and working too much happens. When it was later than usual I took a test."
"Don't get defensive," Owen said, "I'm trying to understand."
"I know," she said, "I'm not feeling great and I know I should have known sooner. I should have told you Wednesday when I knew. I didn't want you to hear it on the phone or in a text. Owen you had to hear it from me face to face. I know you and you have a million questions we'll be okay. We always are."
"Go shower I have to run to get you crackers and would ginger ale help," he asked.
"I don't know," she complained, "mint tea and ginger tea have. There's a container of both in my carry on."
"Can I get it out," he asked.
"Ya," she shrugged.
"Go shower there's fresh towels in both bathrooms," he said, "you always feel better after a shower. I know how you work Teddy. You can operate for 3 days straight and you want a shower before you want food or sleep. I know you're miserable if you don't get your morning shower."
"Sometimes it's two a day," she answered, "I live alone I do what I want. I guess I'm going to start turning my guest room into a nursery."
"Wait for me to come," he said, "I want to do it with you."
"You'll set up one here," she guessed.
"One at mommy's and one at daddy's," he sighed, "I guess we have to."
"I get 16 weeks," she said, "they have to follow German standards because I've been there so long. Maybe you come then we bring them here to meet your mom when they're a couple months and I spend the last two months here with you. I know I'll have a date I have to be ready to work and back in shape for."
"Why are you worried about that now," he asked.
"Because I don't want to be out of shape," she admitted.
"Why don't you shower and we'll have a snack then go for a walk," he suggested, "I googled while you were asleep. A walk or a hike is good. Let's walk today and hike tomorrow. Are you up for a walk?"
"Yes," she said, "shower first but no snack."
"You have to eat," he argued.
"Don't push me," she warned.
"Go shower," Owen encouraged, "you'll feel better."
Teddy opened her suitcase and grabbed a change of clothes and her shower stuff.
"This is me not feeling gross," she teased, "later."
"I wasn't even thinking that right now, I was trying to make you feel better," he replied, "I'm going to make your tea."
Teddy quickly showered and dried her hair finding Owen in the kitchen.
"Better," he asked.
"Much," she smiled, hugging him.
"Hungry," he asked, "thirsty?"
"Water then I could go do something," she said, "or we could cuddle and I'll stay awake this time."
"How about a walk through that park you love," he asked.
"Sounds perfect," she agreed.
They quickly got ready and he drove to the park.
"A baby," she said, "we're having a baby."
"How do we tell my mom and Megan," he asked.
"I want to wait a few more weeks," she said, "Megan knows I'm here."
"Which means mom does," he said.
"But we don't have plans to see her yet," Teddy countered.
"No," he agreed, "we could."
"Not yet," she said , "I'm old for this. I want to keep this to us for now."
"Your CO," he asked.
"I have to," she answered, "hell want to know about you. I'm just going to let him know we're together."
"You need a care plan," he said, "we do."
"You," Teddy answered, "Megan and Riggs as back up?"
"Not my mom," he asked.
"Megan and Riggs are younger," she argued, "Faroke is there. They should know their cousin."
"What do you think it is," he asked.
"Girl," Teddy smiled, "and she's going to be as stubborn as her dad."
"Girl and she'll be as brilliant as you," he said.
"As soon as she's old enough you're going to go major Hunt on any boy that gets in 40 feet of her," Teddy laughed, "but you'll be the push over."
"No it'll be you," Owen said.
"Okay there major diamond," Teddy laughed.
"And your going to have her listening to Duran Duran way too loud," he teased, "and finishing whole pizza's by herself."
"Or when going to be a little boy with your smile and grass stains from the soccer field," she smiled.
"They'll play soccer," he agreed.
"You coaching," she smiled.
"How will we," he asked.
"I think I'll finish out my contract then I'll move back here," she said, "I don't know how to get out of the contract."
"Baby will be how old," he asked.
"A year," she said, "we make the first year work with you around as much as possible. Then we'll move."
"What about a transfer," he asked.
"I'll look into it when I get home," she replied.
"Do," he said, "the thought of having a child I don't see every day. Teddy I can't do that."
"I know," she said, "I want you there for all of it. Well most of it."
"What don't you want me there for," he asked.
She blushed, "when I get hormonal and huge."
"I want to be there for that," he assured, "to rub your feet and massage your back and hold you."
"I'll be huge," she moaned.
"And you will always be gorgeous," he assured.
"We'll figure it out," she said.
"I'm on a 4 day rotation with Kepner," he said, "I could do weekends with you."
"No," she said, "flying half the time you'd be there for 48 hours and the expense. This baby will need a lot of stuff and stuff will cost money."
"Can we do once a month," he said, "the six weeks is a long time."
"Six weeks is better than three months," she said, "that was our plan before we found out I'm pregnant."
"I still want to come see you as often as I can and minimise your travel," he said.
"You come out in 6 weeks," she said, "3 weeks after that I have to go to a conference in Vienna. What if you came to the conference?"
"I'll talk to Bailey," he said.
"How will you explain going to Germany so much to her," she asked.
"The truth," he replied, "my girlfriend is there. I have so much time off save up."
"Save it for the end of my pregnancy and when the baby comes," she said, "I need you there with a newborn. I've always wanted to be a mom but I have no clue how. I can figure this out with you. I need you there. I don't think I can do it alone."
"We will do it together," he assured, "can I be there when you find out the gender?"
"I'll schedule it for when you're there," she promised.
"And I don't know how you feel about it," he started.
"I want you there when they're born," she said, "I need you with me when I'm in labour and give birth. I have to have you there."
"I will be there," he assured, "we will do that and meet them together."
"Together," she smiled.
"Owen," Evelyn called, "Teddy?"
"Evelyn," Teddy smiled.
"Hi mom," Owen greeted.
"Teddy sweet heart I didn't know you were coming," Evelyn said.
"I only told Owen Wednesday," Teddy smiled, "Just for a couple days."
"Owen told me the two of you are finally dating," Evelyn smiled, "you had a few days off and came to see him."
"I did," Teddy smiled, "I go home Wednesday."
"Owen you should have told me," Evelyn scolded.
"I asked him not to tell you," Teddy said, "wanted the time just us."
Evelyn was surprised usually Teddy came to see her when she was in town.
"What are you hiding," Evelyn asked, "Owen has the same guilty look he had as a boy when he broke one of Megan's toys."
"Teddy," he asked.
She shook her head.
"I'll get it out of him eventually Theodora," Evelyn said.
"Don't tell Megan," Teddy replied, "she's still wrapping her head around us being a couple long distance."
"Is there a problem," Evelyn said, "he only went to see you six weeks ago. You don't love Seattle. You come every couple years to visit and see me but you and Owen meet up at conferences."
"I missed him," Teddy said, "I needed to see him and us be together."
"So I'll see you both for dinner tomorrow," Evelyn said, "Teddy you like red wine?"
"I'm not drinking for a while," Teddy said.
"That's not like you," Evelyn said, "I'll order sushi you both still like it?"
"We're doing that tonight," Owen lied.
"There is something going on," Evelyn said, "I won't tell a soul. Teddy what's going on?"
"Owen," Teddy asked.
"Mom," Owen said, "this has to be a total secrent. Not Megan, not your friends at church or your writing group."
"Total secret," Evelyn said, "is it good news."
"It is," Teddy smiled, "I had wanted to wait a few more weeks. 5 more."
"Not drinking, waiting 5 weeks to tell me something, avoiding sushi," Evelyn said.
"You're on the right track grandma," Owen said.
"Grandma," Evelyn said, "Teddy are you?"
"7 weeks pregnant, 8 on Monday," Teddy said.
"How are you feeling," Evelyn asked.
"Tired," Teddy admitted, "I found out Wednesday and flew here to tell Owen. I only told him today."
"Baby," Evelyn asked.
"I saw my OBGYN," Teddy said, "they look good. Healthy. We're both healthy."
Evelyn embraced Teddy, "Congratulations sweet heart. I'm excited for you. But how?"
"We're working it out," Owen said.
"Owen is going to come see me and I will be here for Christmas," Teddy smiled, "then I'm off work at 34 weeks by German standards and I can have 16 weeks with them for sure and could take up to 2 years. I will take time with them. I'll bring baby here for that time. You will get to see them and cuddle your grandbaby."
"I'm looking forward to it," Evelyn said, "so due date?"
"March 20th," Teddy smiled.
"Do you want me to come help you two get settled with the baby," Evelyn asked.
"We'll bring the baby to you as soon as it's old enough to travel," Teddy assured, "I, we want to be the three of us to get to know them."
"Okay," Evelyn said, "but I want every sonogram picture and the first picture of them."
"Of course," Teddy smiled.
"And bump pictures if I can't see you I get all the pictures," Evelyn said.
"Okay," Teddy agreed, "but don't tell Megan yet. We want to tell her."
"I won't," Evelyn agreed, "you two were enjoying a walk and I'm meeting a friend so tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," Owen agreed.
When Evelyn was out of earshot Teddy said, "now your mom knows and she has my address. She'll be sending all the baby things she can get her hands on."
"She will," he agreed, "she was happy."
"She was," Teddy agreed, "now Megan?"
"When you're ready," he replied.
"At least 12 weeks," she said, "make sure they're healthy and growing well."
"We will," he said, "are you happy?"
"I'm good," she smiled, "I'm with you and we're having a baby."
"We're having a baby," he beamed, kissing her.