Teddy was tossing and turning in her sleep, Owen was jolted awake by her thrashing. He heard her breathing speed up almost hyperventilating before she started to scream. She bolted upright in bed. He sat up with her and put his hand softly on her back gently rubbing it too smooth her.

"No," she yelled, "no don't turn it off. Don't turn off life support."

"Shh," he whispered in her ear, "Teddy it's okay. Your home, you are safe."

"What," she startled.

"It's Owen," he soothed, holding her close, "you were having a nightmare."

She began to cry, "I miss my mom and my dad and Allison."

He held her close and stroked her back.

"Do you want to tell me," he asked.

She nodded into his shoulder and he could feel her tears against his bare skin.

"Okay," he said, "what happened?"

"I was watching them all go again," she sobbed, "my dad and the monitors flat lining, telling the doctors in the ICU to turn off life support on my dad. Seeing my mom in the Emergency room and the doctor saying there was nothing he could do, no one could have saved her. Then the towers falling. Henry coughing up blood in our sink, my shirt turing red with his blood."

"What happened at work," he asked, knowing her triggers.

"Nothing," she said, "I did a couple basic procedures, followed up on some patients and did a lot of paper work."

"When we got home," he asked.

"No," she said, "I don't know what triggered it. I know my triggers."

"What do you need," he asked.

"A shower always helps," she whispered.

"I'll go get you a towel and clean clothes," he offered.

When she came back to bed she curled up against him and let him hold her.

"Are you worried about what you sent Bailey," he asked.

"A little," she said, "before I could pick up and go. I can't do that with a baby, I have to be in the same city as you even if we don't work. Things never work for me. One person has truly fully loved me and even then he started by using my insurance. No one ever just chooses me or loves me for me."

"Henry," Owen said.

"Things don't work out for me," Teddy said, "people leave me. I've always been able to run when things don't work. I've left when people leave me. My best friend dies, I join the army. My time with the army is done, I go to Seattle because I'm in love with a friend. Then I get married and he dies so I run back to the army."

"Do you not want us," he asked.

"I've wanted us for 15 years," she said, "I'm scared. History has proven that I always end up alone. I was 29 when I lost my dad."

"How do I help you," he asked.

"Don't leave and don't rush me," she said, "I've watched you get engraved, married and divorced for decades. If we want this to work I can't be part of that cycle."

"Do you want to live together," he asked.

"I think when I move we look for something that is ours," she said, "I'll have a decent down payment. I'll get a fair amount for this place when I sell and I have savings."

"While we're looking," he asked.

"I can't live in that house Owen," Teddy said, "it feels like her house. That's where you lived with Amelia. I want some where that's for the three of us."

"Do you want to stay with my mom," he asked, "I'm going to list the house when I get home. Then stay with my mom when it sells."

"I don't want to impose on her," Teddy said, "I'll find a hotel."

"Teddy," he said.

"I want our place, we can both stay there but I will not do more than visit that house," she said, "it's not how we're supposed to start our family."

"We'll look together," he assured, "Teddy it's 1:30 in the morning we don't have to get up until 6. Do you want to try and get more sleep?"

"I don't know if I can," she said, "when that happens I don't normally go back to sleep. If I do the nightmares come back."

"Can you try," he asked, "for the baby. They need you to sleep."

"Will you stay," she asked, "you'll be here if I wake up again?"

"I will be here," he assured, "you're going to lay down and close your eyes."

"I need to know you're here," she whispered.

"Do you want me to hold your hand," he asked.

"Can you hold me," she asked.

"Lay down and I can," he assured, "Teddy lay down."

She lay on her side facing away from him and he gently spooned her, he propped himself up on one elbow and gently brushed the hair away from her face. She soon fell asleep again but his mind was racing. They had talked about PTSD in the past and triggers, and she had told him about the nightmares and blinding headaches that came when she was triggered, but the last time he had seen it had been 8 years ago. He couldn't figure out what was triggering her. Last night she had a blinding migraine leaving her curled up on the bathroom floor vomiting, no longer able to take the medications that had controlled them. He wondered if the hormonal changes were contributing to her migraines. All he had been able to do the night before was offer her water and hold her hair back, it had hurt him to see her in so much pain. Eventually he fell back asleep.

Owen startled awake, the bed next to him was empty but he smelled something delicious. He pulled on a pair of sweatpants and found Teddy in the kitchen still in her pyjamas.

"Good morning," he said, hugging her from behind.

"Happy Birthday," she beamed, kissing his cheek, "I made your favourite breakfast."

"Did you get enough sleep," he asked.

"I did," she said, "sorry about last night."

"No," he said, "you were triggered."

"I think that's hormonal, it's been happening the last couple weeks," she said, "I'm trying to figure it out."

"Have you told your OB," he asked.

"I have," she answered, "she suggested counselling for the PTSD but nothing for the migraines."

"Which is worse," he asked.

"Migraines," she said, "but I'm feeling good now. I think I got dehydrated which has always made them worse. Today, I have blueberry pancakes and bacon for breakfast, then I have a couple choices for you."

"I'm with you that's all I wanted for my birthday," he replied.

"Help your self to breakfast," she said putting two plates on the counter, "I made you real coffee it smells good."

"I don't need it," he said, "you have something?"

"Decaf," she replied, "I used the French press for yours mine is in the pot."

"Sounds good," he smiled as she passed him a mug.

They sat down with their breakfast happily chatting. He helped her tidy up the kitchen.

"Shower," she suggested.

"Together," he asked.

"Sure," she smiled, "it's your birthday."

"Is it okay," he asked.

"If we both still fit," she said.

"But I like seeing this," he smiled putting a hand on her stomach.

"Only you get to," she said.

"It'll grow," he said.

"It is," she said, "shower?"

Once they were both ready for the day Teddy tossed Owen her keys.

"Where are we going," he asked.

"You've always wanted to drive the autobahn," she said, "I have treats for a picnic and have booked a night in a hotel about 3 hours away. I've been there before and it's a beautiful mountain town. There's an old castle and some great restaurants and walks."

"What do we need," he asked.

"I packed while you talked to your mom," she smiled.

"Clothes," he asked.

"It's a night," she said, "we each have a couple changes and our toiletries. Check the purple suitcase but I think we're good."

Owen checked the bag, "I don't recognize those shirts."

"I picked them," she said, kissing his cheek.

"Thank you," he said.

"Let's go," she said grabbing her purse and the bag of snacks and drinks.

"I've got the big bag," he said.

They walked to the car and he got in adjusting the driver's seat and mirrors.

"How do I get there," he asked.

"I'll direct you," she said, "and set it up on my phone. Music?"

"Not at the volume you like it but yes," he said, "your volume will blow our baby's eardrums before they're born."

"They can hear something's now," she said, "probably my heart beat and food digesting."

The reached the highway and Teddy blasted the music songs they both loved soon they were both singing along. She smiled seeing him relax he rarely fully relaxed but he had talked about wanting to drive the autobahn for as long as she had known him and her little Audi was fast.

"You can go faster," she encouraged, "there's no limit."

"I have precious cargo," he said.

"This car will go faster," she said, " put it in dynamic mode and floor it. Have fun Owen. I like driving it that way."

"Are you sure," he asked.

"Yes," she said, "it's not your truck, this car is designed for this."

He looked over at her for a second and saw her smile she wanted him to.

"If you move," he asked.

"I sell this and will need a car," she said, "I'll stick with another Audi or a BMW I've had both here. I like German cars."

"With a baby," he asked.

"You'll keep the truck," she asked.

"Yes," he said.

"I'll get something that we can put a car seat in four doors then we have the truck for all those things we used to talk about," she said.

"Take them camping," he asked.

"Yes," she agreed, "drive down the west coast to see

Megan."

"You want my sister around," he asked.

"And your mom," she said, "your family."

"Your sister," he asked.

"She's in Portland," Teddy said, "I haven't told her. She's doing her thing. We've never been close."

"I've only met her twice," he said.

"You can get to know Marilyn when I move back," she said, "her and her husband have never had kids and she loves them. She teaches child development to college kids. She has her PhD in it."

"Telling sisters," he asked.

"I made plans to see her and Rob when I'm in Seattle for Christmas," she said, "we thought between Christmas and New Years she's in Seattle the same days I am and is seeing some of his family as well he's from Seattle. "

"We'll see them," he agreed.

They drove for a while longer enjoy the music and snacks. Teddy liked seeing Owens smile as he drove he was enjoying this.

They reached the little mountain town and checked into the hotel before exploring.

"You've been here before," he said.

"A couple times on my own," she said, "it's a nice little get away and gorgeous in the snow."

"It's different than anything I've seen," he said.

"It's one of my favorite spots," she said, "I thought you would like it."

"You've seen a lot of Europe now," he said.

"For work or to go with friends but never like this," she said, "I like us."

"So do I," he beamed.

"We'll make it work," she said, "once I hear from Bailey then I can resign and plan my move. I'm going to give them as much notice as I can filling my position is not going to be easy they spend 4 or 5 months recruiting me."

"What about Carlson," he asked.

"He could but he's not ready," she said, "I wasn't but he's never deployed into a war zone. I had hospital and field experience the person who replaces me should have both."

"You'll miss the job," he said.

"I will it's my dream job," she said, "but I don't want to do this with out us together and with our baby. Dreams change Owen it's okay. This, us, our baby feels bigger. And Bailey won't last as chief, there's leadership I can look into with the Fox Foundation. Catherine Fox has a position posted for a cardio lead for the foundation. If I could do it in Seattle and operate I would be good."

"Apply," he said, "you know Jackson will vouch for you. Grey. After how you helped Grey and Avery with Megan's surgery."

"That was appeasing you and I," she said, "they didn't need me. If they wanted cardio they would have taken Pierce. That was because I was the one advocating for your family."

"Our family," he corrected softly.

"I had to advocate for her, for you, for your mom," she said, "Megan was so injured and mentally okay but she's still getting help almost daily, your mom was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude and joy. And you had no clue how to respond. Amelia was useless and I know she had a brain tumor but that doesn't explain all of it, a lot but not all."

"I don't know either," he said, "but she's moved on with the new ortho guy."

"I was there to appease you and Riggs bottom line," Teddy said, "Grey knew the game. Just like if we went in on one of her kids I would as Maggie, Amelia or Richard to scrub in. Not because I need them but to make Grey feel like we're supporting her family."

"I see it," he agreed, "I would too."

"Is your family going to be okay with this," she asked,

"With me?"

"It's you," he said," and us and our baby. My mom is excited. Megan loves that we're together."

"But us long distance which is what she thinks and her finding out I'm 16 weeks are very different," Teddy sighed.

"You could have told her when she was here," he said.

"We wanted to do that together," she said, "now it's looking like Christmas."

"What if we face time her," he suggested.

"I want to be face to face," she said, "it's another three months. I'll be huge and obvious but that's okay."

"She will love it," he assured.

"Should we send her a couple pictures from our adventures," she asked.

"We could," he agreed.

"Keep my stomach out of it," she said.

"You can't tell in that top," he said, "we know because we're looking for it but Megan won't."

"Just don't," she said, "your mom can get the full body shot. She's been asking me for pictures. But is it the idea of you and I and the baby she likes or actually me?"

"You," he said, 'she loves you. Every time I talk to her she asks how you are and always has."

"She emails me most days and has sent a few baby things," Teddy smiled, "maybe we should let your mom in on our plan for me to move so she stops sending things to Germany for us to have to bring them back."

"I will," he said, he paused and took a picture of her smiling over her shoulder at him her blonde hair loose down the back of her burgundy sweater, with her jeans tucked into a pair of black ankle boots.

"Before you send it to Megan," she said.

"You can look but no hint of baby," he said.

They took a quick selfie together something neither of them usually did and sent the few pictures they had taken to his mom and sister.

Megan, "you look happy Eeyore."

Teddy, "we are."

Evelyn, "enjoy your trip you two."

Owen, "we are she surprised me with a little side trip to a mountain village and getting to drive the autobahn."

Megan, "you let him drive?"

Teddy, "he's always wanted to. No speed limit."

Megan, "I repeat you let him drive."

Teddy, "he had fun. And I can drive it but don't love it and he loves driving."

Owen ,"her car is more fun than my truck."

Megan texted Owen separately.

Megan, "something about Teddy looks different. What are you two hiding?"

Owen, "she's good. Just relaxed and happy."

Megan, "headaches?"

Owen, "one since I've been here it was bad but she's doing okay now. She's okay Megan. We're good."

Megan, "propose or move there or something."

Owen, "we have a plan. We will tell you and mom when a few more details have been worked out."

Megan, "go be happy with her. Things are good?"

Owen, "yes."

Megan, "sleeping?"

Owen, "not answering that. We're adults, you can figure it out."

Megan, "do the sweet grand gesture things for her. She's a softie and likes it but will never say it."

Owen, "I know. She's been my rock for 10 years and I've tried to be hers. I know her better than anyone else."

Megan, "your wives?"

Owen, "yes."

Megan, "back to Teddy are you sure she's okay? The headaches and her face looks a bit rounder."

Owen, "she is fine. She would tell me if it was something to worry about. She's seen her doctor about them and has been told the headaches are because she's over doing it like always. She needs to slow down, rest and drink more water."

He hadn't lied to his sister about the treatment for Teddy's headaches or that she was fine, he just left out the reason why she was off the meds that had controlled them for years.

Megan, "I don't believe you but you're stubborn and so is she so I guess I have to wait until one of you tells me."

Owen, "yes you do. She will decide when she wants you or mom to know."

Megan, "mom knows you're together together right?"

Owen, "she does and likes it. But I'm going to stop ignoring my girlfriend and enjoy our one night getaway."

Megan ,"have fun and happy birthday."

Owen, "thank you."