Teddy rushed through the arrivals area seeing Owen standing near the exit.
"Owen," Teddy shouted.
"Teddy," Owen beamed, taking her into his arms as soon as she reached him. She melted into his embrace breathing in his Owen smell, soap, laundry detergent, a little bit of hospital, and something all his own. He held her tight feeling her stress melt away in his arms. She was here, she was home, she was in his arms.
"Hi," she breathed.
"Hello," he smiled, kissing her passionately.
"I missed you," she whispered as his hands slid down her back, "she missed you too. She's excited."
"Can I," he asked.
"You can," she smiled, guiding his hand to where she felt the baby kicking her. He kept one arm tight around her holding her close to him.
"Wow," he said, feeling the kicks.
"She's strong," Teddy said, "she's growing fast."
"Should I take you home," he asked.
"Home sounds good," she agreed, "and a shower."
"I know you always want a shower right off the plane," he said.
"Always," she said, "and you always want coffee and a nap."
"Do you need a nap," he asked.
"I dozed on the flight," she said, "I'll try to make it to a decent bedtime. If I can make it until 9 I'll get on a new schedule quickly."
"It's noon," he said, "truck nap?"
"If I fall asleep," she said, "or coffee."
"We can get you coffee but is it worth the headache," he agreed.
"I guess not," she said, "I haven't had one in a couple weeks."
"Okay," he said, "how was the flight?"
"Too long," she said, "I was impatient."
"Are you feeling okay," he asked.
"Just a bit tired," she said, "I'll bounce back."
"Should we go to moms and relax," he asked.
"Megan," she asked.
"Should be here around 4," he replied, "we should have some down time."
"Your mom," she asked.
"Will understand if you need some time," he smiled, "she loves you."
"I want to see her," Teddy replied as they reached Owen's truck, "and first thing to do. I need a car."
"After Christmas," he said, "you can drive my truck if you need to go do anything on your own."
"It's so big," she argued.
"You can," he replied.
"I can," she said, "I don't want to."
They got in the truck and he started to drive. As he predicted she fell asleep as soon as they were out of the parking lot. He smiled seeing her asleep in the passenger seat, her hands resting on her belly.
Owen's truck pulled into Evelyn's drive way at the same time as Nathan's suv, Megan had miss judged their ETA and they all showed up at the same time. Owen gently shook Teddy's shoulder to wake her up. Teddy got out of the passenger side and walked around the truck to meet Megan who rushed to hug her. Megan paused for a double take when she saw Teddy and her bump.
"Oh my god," Megan screamed, "oh my god!"
"What," Teddy smiled, "you knew I would be here for Christmas. I promised you that when you were at my place!"
"It's true! Your," Megan stuttered.
"Pregnant," Teddy smiled, "we told you. Did you not believe us? We sent ultrasound images!"
"But you're here, it's real," Megan said, hugging Teddy.
"It's real," Teddy agreed, stepping back.
"A baby," Megan shouted, "a baby. We're having a baby!"
"Yes," Owen said, putting his arm around Teddy.
"A baby girl," Teddy added.
Megan turned on him, "you dumb dumb. You absolute dumb dumb."
"Dumb dumb are you six," Owen asked.
"How did you get Teddy this pregnant," Megan asked, "you two told me a month ago. And said you had known for a while."
"You didn't ask the due date," he said, "you didn't ask how far along."
"I have to go ask your mom something," Teddy said, excusing herself, "Faroke come with me."
"Teddy," Owen asked.
"It never ends well when I get between the two of you," Teddy said, "Faroke, Riggs let's go."
"Who is she," Faroke asked Nathan.
"Teddy Altman," Nathan said, "from the looks of it she's with your uncle Owen."
"I'm auntie Teddy," Teddy said, "I think your grandma wants to see us."
Teddy let herself into Evelyn's house, "Evelyn?"
Evelyn rushed to the entryway beaming at the sound of Teddy's voice in the hall.
"Teddy," Evelyn greeted, "look at you. That bump sweetheart can I?"
"Yes," Teddy smiled, "she's kicking. She's been excited since I got off the plane."
Teddy guided Evelyn's hand to where the baby was kicking.
"Happy to see her daddy or she knows her mommy is happy," Evelyn said.
"Both. Merry Christmas," Teddy said, hugging Evelyn, "I'm here to stay. I accepted a job at Grey Sloan. I start in January."
"Welcome home," Evelyn said, "my four kids are home. And my grandkids are here."
"12 more weeks," Teddy said.
"When are you due Altman," Nathan asked.
"March 20," Teddy replied, "she's my first so probably late."
"My two were both early," Evelyn said, "do you know if you were close to your due date?"
"I don't know," Teddy said.
"Your mom must be excited," Nathan said.
"I'm sure she would be but she passed away in 2001 and dad in 2000," Teddy said, "she would be very excited. Knitting for them and calling me everyday."
"I've been sewing and crocheting," Evelyn said, "do you want to see now or wait?"
"Wait for Owen and I think Faroke wants Christmas cookies," Teddy smiled.
"How do you know," Faroke asked.
"Your cousin does," Teddy laughed.
"How could you not tell me sooner," Megan rounded on Owen.
"Teddy wanted all of us together," Owen said, "then changed her mind when we told you."
"When did you know," Megan snapped.
"Two days after she did she flew out to surprise me and tell me," he said, "she's feeling good. Tired from travel but good."
"Why is she still in Germany and you're here," Megan asked.
"Because we had contacts to finish and jobs to work out ," he snapped, "adult responsibilities. She's starting at Grey Sloan January 5th."
"She Quit," Megan yelled, "your baby mama is the chief of staff for med com there and you couldn't make a sacrifice to go to her."
"My girlfriend first of all and we have a plan that is working. She decided to leave med com because she wants the baby to know you and mom. I was going to go to Germany in February and take a six month leave to be with them," Owen said, "she didn't want to risk another tour and being in the field. She didn't want that to be away from our daughter and in a war zone."
"February when is she due," Megan snapped.
"March 20," Owen replied.
"So when I stayed with her you both knew," Megan said, "I thought something was up but you told me not to push it or her. What the fuck Owen! You knew Teddy was pregnant then."
"She was like 14 weeks. She wanted to tell you together," he said, "it was her choice. We're excited for our daughter. I would appreciate you getting on board before you talk to Teddy. She doesn't need you being upset that you didn't know everything sooner. She just did an 11 hour flight, where she didn't sleep and had a 40 minute nap in the truck she was sound asleep when I pulled into the driveway.. She's just moved across the globe to live here with mom and I because my house is up for sale. She is stressed and exhausted. The baby is getting big and she's getting uncomfortable."
"How many weeks," Megan asked.
"28 tomorrow," Owen answered, "she's here now. Don't push her Megan. I went to her. We decided to be together and spent a lot of time in her bed."
"Your both surgeons how do you not," Megan said, "dumb dumb. You didn't use any protection? How are you so stupid?"
"We just reacted," he said, "she kissed me and things just went that first night. We didn't think we just did. It was instinct and impulse. And it felt right. It's Teddy."
"It's Teddy who you should have been with 20 years ago," Megan said.
"It's Teddy," Owen agreed, "can you just be happy for us? We're excited, we want our daughter."
"How did she not tell me," Megan said, "I teased that she must be not drinking or having coffee and she said nothing. Some excuse about headaches."
"She has been getting migraines again," Owen said, "she gets them."
"She always got headaches," Megan said, "over tired, stressed. She'd pop insane amounts of Tylenol and go."
"It's gotten worse as she's gotten older," Owen said, "zero caffeine was my idea to try to help. She's allowed a small amount but zero she's getting less headaches."
"I told you she wasn't okay," Megan said, "you didn't listen."
"She was not feeling well," Owen acknowledged, "I knew she was fighting symptoms ,being tired and nauseous. When it was bad she would tell me how much she blamed me. Do you know how hard it was to not be able to go to her knowing she was vomiting daily and Bailey wouldn't let me go. Bailey knew when I started taking more time to go to Teddy and minimize her travel."
"Am I the last person to know," Megan yelled.
"No," Owen promised, "only mom knew and Bailey knew. You knew before her sister."
"You should have called," Megan yelled.
"Teddy asked to wait for viability to say anything to anyone," Owen said, "we told you. You did the math wrong."
"Spring is so specific," Megan yelled.
"Can you just be happy for me for us," Owen bellowed, "You told me to make it work. You said to make myself happy. This makes me happy!"
"I am happy for you," she shouted back, "I just wanted to know before now."
"You can't meddle," he said, "my life and my relationship."
"You've managed to fuck up one engagement and two marriages," she said, "you need my help."
"It's Teddy no one else was Teddy," he snapped.
Inside Evelyn asked, "Teddy do you want to go upstairs and get settled?"
"I do," Teddy smiled, "do you mind if I shower?"
"Make yourself at home," Evelyn said, "a shower after a long flight always feels better."
"It does," Teddy agreed, "I don't want to intrude and be in your way."
"You're home," Evelyn smiled, "where's your stuff?"
"Owen was going to bring it in," Teddy answered.
"Do you want a drink or a shower first," Evelyn asked.
"Shower," Teddy said, "I feel gross."
"Do you remember where the upstairs bathroom and the guest room are," Evelyn asked, "all of your amazon packages are in the guest room."
"Thank you," Teddy smiled, "I had a couple other packages with some clothes that will fit."
"Do you need much," Evelyn asked.
"I don't think so," Teddy replied, "but I'll go get what I need."
"Do you need your bag," Evelyn asked.
"I'll get Owen to get it," Teddy said.
Teddy walked onto the porch and watched Owen and Megan arguing. They were almost toe to toe yelling at each other. It wasn't the first time they had done that both had tempers and were easily triggered by each other. Megan was stubborn and thought she knew what was best for all of them. Owen liked his own way and thought because he was older he knew best.
"Megan," Teddy tried, "do you want to stop yelling and come meet your niece?"
"I thought you went in," Owen said.
"I need my bags so I can shower and change," Teddy replied.
"I can meet her," Megan asked.
"No constantly petting me but yes," Teddy replied.
Megan reached towards Teddy who nodded and guided her hand. Megan smiled feeling the little taps of baby kicks. Owen joined them wrapping both arms around Teddy from behind and cradling her belly in his hands. Teddy leaned back into him and let him hold her. He glared at Megan until she stepped back, Owen knew he was the only person Teddy really wanted touching her.
"But Owen," Megan tried.
"Is her dad," Teddy answered.
"Does she have a name," Megan asked.
"Last name," Owen said, "we agreed."
"She's a Hunt," Teddy said, "she has the attitude already."
"Hey," Megan said.
"Just like her auntie," Teddy teased, "but if you two could stop yelling. I need my stuff from the truck."
"I'll get it," Owen said, "I don't want you lifting it and you were asleep in the truck."
"I need an hour," Teddy said, "shower, do my hair and a few minutes to relax."
"We'll make sure you get that," Owen agreed.
Owen took Teddys bags out of the back of the truck and carried them upstairs for her. She followed try to get some space from megans over exuberance. She loved Megan and liked spending time with her but today she was a bit much. She really just wanted to be with Owen. Honestly even Evelyn was a stretch today. But Megan with her inability to worry about her own business and constant need to stick her nose in everyone else's was too much today. Teddy knew Megan liked to meddle and it was always with the best intentions. She loved them and that's how she showed her love but today it was too much. She looked at the Amazon boxes trying to find her new blow dryer and curling iron. She tore open boxes looking for the things she had been forced to leave behind because they wouldn't plug in in Seattle. Teddy grabbed what she needed and walked to the bathroom for a quick shower. Owen wanted to put Teddys things away in the drawers but knew she was particular about some things. He heard her blow dryer turn on in the bathroom.
"Feeling better," he asked when she came into the room.
"A bit," she agreed, "so Megan?"
"Surprised but she'll come around," he assured, "what do you want to do?"
"Put all of this away," she said, "wrap Christmas presents."
"Can I help," he asked.
"Sure," she agreed, "where can I put stuff?"
"The tall dresser and most of the closet is empty," he said.
"I don't have much I can wear right now. I have to go shopping," she said.
"Are you comfortable ," he asked.
"I am," she said.
"You're rubbing your stomach," he said.
"She's moving," she said, "just interacting with her."
"You wanted to relax," he said, "what if I unpacked and you sat on the bed?"
"I'll do it but you stay with me," she said.
They unpacked the few things Teddy had brought and the things she had ordered before wrapping presents and stacking them neatly on the window seat.
"Are you two coming," Megan called through the door.
"Where," Teddy asked honestly too tired to do more than watch a movie.
"Mom wants us all to go look at Christmas lights," Megan said, "dinner and lights."
Teddy nodded that she could do that.
"I'll drive," Owen said, "we all fit in the truck."
"Two cars," Megan said, "mom with you two and Faroke with us."
They agreed and got ready to go.
"Feeling more like yourself," Evelyn asked Teddy as they got in the truck.
"I bit," Teddy agreed, "I might have dozed off for a few minutes."
"You needed it," Owen replied.
"We just need to be together," she said.
"Lean on each other," Evelyn said, "you have to be a team for yourselves and that little girl. Your relationship with each other is what she'll base her expectations of how she's treated on. You two are setting the example for her."
"Ive been alone a long time," Teddy said.
"You've been married before," Evelyn said, "both of you have."
"This is so different though," Teddy argued, "and not just our little peanut."
"I like the name peanut," Evelyn smiled.
"We're working it out," Owen assured, "we know we only have a couple months. But i accepted the offer on my house last night. It goes through in a month so we can look when we're back from Portland."
"You're both going," Evelyn asked.
"We are," Teddy said, "my sister wants to see us."
"It'll be good to see family," Evelyn said.
"Marilyn and I haven't been close since our parents," Teddy said.
"Reconnect," Evelyn said, "they should know both sides."
They spent the night going for dinner and driving around to look at lights. When they got back to Evelyns everyone changed into pajamas to watch a Christmas movie.
"Off," Megan scolded shoeing Faroke off the couch.
"Mom," Faroke complained.
"Your auntie Teddy needs a couch spot we're on the floor," Megan said.
"I'm okay here for now," Teddy said, she was leaning against Owen while he sat with his legs on either side of her and leaning against the wall. They had a bowl of popcorn balanced on her stomach. Owen could feel Teddy relaxing in his arms giving into her exhaustion and jet lag.
Evelyn smiled seeing Owen and Teddy. She knew how close they had always been but this was new. Watching Owen hold Teddy. She hadn't seen this tenderness in him before, she knew he was a kind, gentle and loving man but there was a side of him that had always been reserved for Teddy. A softer side that was vulnerable and open that he only showed to Teddy. With her he could drop being strong and in control, an act Owen had put on since he was nine and his dad had passed.
Owen whispered something in Teddy's ear making her laugh.
"Don't make me laugh, I'll pee," Teddy giggled.
"This time,' he agreed, "you okay?"
"Happy we're together," Teddy smiled.
"Me too," he agreed.
Megan nugged Evelyn who smiled, they had waited many years to see that.
After the first movie Megan took Faroke upstairs and tucked him in. Teddy was making more popcorn in the kitchen when Megan joined her.
"So you and my brother," Megan said.
"You knew that," Teddy smiled.
"Teddy why are you house hunting now," Megan asked, "staying here? He has a house?"
"Her house," Teddy said, "Amelia's house. I can't live there."
"But where will you take your baby home," Megan asked, "you have 12 weeks."
"Here if we need to," Teddy said, "we're looking the day after Christmas. I won't live there."
"I know you don't want to but you could," Megan said.
"I can't Megan," Teddy said, "you wouldn't. You would burn that house down before you lived there."
"I would," Megan laughed, "I totally would."
"See you agree with me," Teddy said.
"I do," Megan said, "not the timing."
"No," Teddy said, "I won't bring our baby girl home there. She needs more than that."
"She needs a home," Megan said.
"If she spends a few weeks with mommy and daddy at grandmas she'll be okay," Evelyn said, "I want to get to know her."
"You can see her as much as you want," Teddy assured, "and I still don't like imposing on you like this."
"You're family," Evelyn smiled, "my girls."
"Mom," Megan said.
"We're all home," Evelyn said, "my grandson is asleep upstairs and my granddaughter comes in a few weeks. Her mommy is glowing."
"Exhausted," Teddy said.
"You're glowing sweetheart," Evelyn said, "if you're ready for bed none of us will be offended if you go up."
"I like Christmas movies," Teddy said, "but I will take Faroke's spot on the couch."
"You could have made him move earlier," Megan said.
"No," Teddy said, "I was comfortable with Owen."
"You both looked very relaxed," Evelyn said, "I've never seen him that affectionate with anyone."
"They've always been affectionate," Megan said, "even in the desert."
"It feels right," Teddy said.
"It does," Evelyn agreed, "I've waited for years for you to be part of our family. It's time Teddy. Welcome home sweetheart."
Teddy wiped tears from her eyes, "thank you."
"No crying," Evelyn said.
"Hormones," Teddy replied, "they're in control."
Evelyn hugged Teddy and Megan joined them. The baby sensed this and began wiggling.
"She's active," Evelyn commented.
"Always," Teddy smiled, "like her dad she does not stop."
"Please both of you can go days with out sleep," Megan said.
"I used to,' Teddy said, "now it causes migraines."
"Teddy," Owen asked, hearing only her last word.
"I need more water and might go to bed soon," Teddy said.
"Do you want to go up now," he asked, "can we head it off?"
"But your mom and Megan and Nathan," Teddy said.
"We understand," Evelyn said, "take care of your self."
"Teddy what do you want to do," Owen asked.
"Can we watch the movie and if I'm not okay we go up," she asked.
"We can," he agreed, "you need more water."
"I do," she agreed.
"Have you always gotten headaches," Evelyn asked.
"It used to be stress related or before I got sick," Teddy replied, "then as I've gotten older it's gotten worse. I'm usually on a medication to block them but I cant take it right now."
'After the baby comes," Nathan asked, joining them.
"We'll see," Teddy replied, "I'm hoping that less hormones means the headaches will die down."
"Are you okay," Nathan asked.
"I am," Teddy replied, "a bit jet lagged. I know I need to get on a schedule sooner than later."
"Elf then we'll go to bed," Evelyn suggested.
"Not Die Hard," Owen asked.
"That is not a christmas movie," Teddy scolded, "you watch that I'm going to bed."
"We'll watch it when all the girls are out," Owen said to Nathan.
"You are not watching it with Faroke," Megan declared.
"Lets watch our movie so Teddy can get to bed," Evelyn said.
The settled back in the family room with Teddy leaning against Owen on the couch, he put his arms around her and held her. As she relaxed he felt her breathing slow and grow even her head felt heavier on his shoulder and he realised she was asleep. Owen gently kissed the top of Teddy's head as she slept on his shoulder, with one hand he brushed back the curls that had fallen in her face. Across the room in the rocking chair Evelyn smiled at the couple. It was the most relaxed she had ever seen either of them.