Megan and Evelyn stood arguing in Evelyn's kitchen.
"What do you mean give Teddy space," Megan snapped.
"Owen isn't even sure if they'll come today," Evelyn said, "she's been pretty miserable and the baby is 10 days late. "
"I want to see them and meet the baby," Megan said.
"She's hardly talking to me or to him," Evelyn said, "she wants her mom and that's not possible."
"Owen's girlfriend," Evelyn's sister Joyce asked.
"Yes," Evelyn said, "her parents passed before 9/11. I don't think she was 30 yet and totally alone in the world. "
"And when was she due," Joyce asked.
"March 20," Evelyn said, "it's her first but she's 41 or 42."
"41," Megan said, "she's a year older than him."
"Do you think having people around would help," Joyce asked, "other than Owen who does she have?"
"Auntie Joyce, what are you trying to do," Megan asked.
"I've been a labour and delivery nurse for how long dear," Joyce said, "she needs to relax and be supported. Megan, we know you're excited but smothering Teddy is only going to make her stress. Do we know if everything looks okay?"
"They've been seeing her doctor every few days," Evelyn said, "I'm sure they would have take action if it wasn't. Both are surgeons; they know what they're doing. He's waiting for Teddy to ask for them to get things moving."
"I know a few tricks," Joyce said, "but will she be open to it."
"When I saw them a couple days ago she said she would do anything," Evelyn said, "I took some of her favourites to them. She was pacing the sidewalk with one foot on the curb and the other on the road. She's trying to get that baby moving."
The front door opened.
"Mom, Megan," Owen called.
"You made it," Megan ran to the door, "where's Teddy?"
"Teddy is still in the car," Owen said, "she is not comfortable right now. She is ready to snap. She wanted to bring our daughter today to have this be her first family event to meet her auntie and cousin."
"She's pouting," Megan guessed.
"Taking her time," Owen replied.
"I'll go get her," Megan volunteered.
"Let her take her time," Owen said, "she's not feeling 100%."
Teddy slowly got out of the car and made her way up the porch steps.
"Hi darling," Evelyn greeted, "let's come have a seat and I'll get you something to drink."
Evelyn put her arm around Teddy and guided her to the family room.
"How are you feeling today," Evelyn asked softly.
"I've had enough," Teddy admitted, "she's really low and it hurts."
"That belly is lower than it was a few days ago," Evelyn agreed, "I still can't tell from the back."
"I can," Teddy said.
In the family room Evelyn gestured to Teddys current favourite seat, an antique rocking chair with a soft cushion on the seat and back, "have a seat."
Joyce joined them.
"Teddy this is my sister Joyce," Evelyn said, "Joyce this is Owen's girlfriend Teddy."
"It's good to finally meet you," Joyce said, "I've heard about Teddy since Owen's army days."
"It's good to meet you as well," Teddy agreed, "our days in the sand pit that's a long time ago."
"What do you do for work now," Joyce asked.
"I only left the army a few weeks ago," Teddy said, "I'm a cardiothoracic surgeon at Grey Sloan. But I haven't operated in a couple weeks."
"When are you due," Joyce asked.
"I'm 10 days late. She was due on the 20th" Teddy said, "what did you do?"
"I'm still working," Joyce said, "I'm a nurse midwife in the L&D unit at Seattle presbetarian."
"Ideas to get her out," Teddy asked.
"Walk a lot," Joyce suggested.
"We did a couple miles this morning," Teddy said, "slow and some cramping but that has to be positive."
"Cramps can be the beginning," Joyce said, "Braxton hicks?"
"Constantly," Teddy said, "lots of pressure, she's low."
"That belly has really dropped in the last couple days," Evelyn agreed, "you sure you're okay darling?"
"I'm uncomfortable," Teddy said, "my lower back, hips and pelvis. I'm not sleeping well."
"All signs you're getting close," Joyce said, "there's a couple pressure points in your feet that massaging can help. I can or I can show Owen."
"We've tried everything Carina told us and several things from google," Teddy replied, "he's arguing with Megan. I don't get between them ever."
"Better to let those two work it out," Evelyn agreed, "do you want anything dear?"
"A foot massage now that Joyce mentioned it but I can wait for Owen," Teddy replied.
"I can Teddy," Joyce offered, "it might get things going."
"Because the sweeps haven't," Teddy said, "we could try. Owen and I agreed that if I don't go into labour by this time tomorrow I'll call Carina to be induced."
"Let me try this first," Joyce said, "it's not instant, it takes a few hours but I always see the mama in labour in 24 hours."
"Tell Owen what to do," Teddy said.
"In a don't touch me mood today " Evelyn asked.
"Yes, just grumpy in general," Teddy said, "I'm getting impatient. "
"Try to relax," Joyce suggested.
"Talking about it isn't making me relax," Teddy said.
"Okay," Evelyn said, "juice, water, soda, tea?"
"Just water please, " Teddy replied.
"Teddy, what would help you relax," Joyce asked.
"I want my mom," Teddy whimpered wiping tears from her eyes.
"Where is she," Joyce asked.
"She died a long time ago," Teddy said.
"Do you have other family," Joyce asked, "Your dad?"
"Dad died before mom," Teddy said.
"Siblings," Joyce asked.
"Marilyn is in Portland. We talked this morning," Teddy said, "I try not to say too much about my pregnancy with her. She tried for 10 years and had a few miscarriages. But they're adopting."
"Are you close," Joyce asked.
"Not really," Teddy said, "she made our peanut a beautiful quilt. It's in her crib waiting."
"If your mom was here what would she say," Evelyn asked.
"She would rub my back and say baby girl I might not agree with you but I'm always on your side," Teddy said, "she would tell me she loved me."
Evelyn pulled a foot stool close to the rocking chair and took Teddys hands, "I love you Teddy. I am always here."
Teddy began to cry.
"You're okay," Evelyn said, "I'm here. You are not alone Teddy."
Teddy winced, "that hurts."
"Relax and we'll watch it," Joyce said checking her watch, "do you want something to eat?"
"Joyce, can you get Owen," Evelyn asked.
"Where is he," Joyce asked.
"Arguing with Megan," Teddy answered.
Owen came and and switched spots with Evelyn, "are you okay?"
Teddy shook her head, eyes still swimming in tears. He moved to sit on the arm of the couch beside her and hugged her.
"Do you want me to call Carina and tell her you're ready," Owen asked, "get her to give us the medications and go home and wait?"
Teddy shook her head, "I want my mom."
"I know you miss her," Owen said, "I wish I had met her."
He leaned his forehead against hers and whispered something only she could hear. Soothing and calming her. He knew she was tired and had hardly slept the night before. They had hardly slept as he sat up with her rubbing her back and trying to calm her fears. He knew she was scared not of the pain or the physical process. She had never been scared of pain. She was afraid to be a mom, to not be enough for their baby and for him. He knew he had hurt her for years, keeping her on the sidelines. She leaned into him and let him hold her as he stoked her hair and back.
After dinner Teddy was trying to help with dishes while everyone else tried to make her sit down.
"I'm fine," Teddy insisted.
"Teddy," Evelyn asked raising her eyebrows.
"I'm good," Teddy said, "I got a bit emotional. My mom's brithday is tomorrow it always makes me a little emotional and this year it's bad."
"I understand sweetheart," Evelyn said, "you miss her."
"You and Joyce cooked which means Megan and I are doing dishes," Teddy said.
"Where did the guys go," Megan asked.
"They took Faroke outside to play soccer," Teddy replied, "I can't wait to teach baby girl to play."
"You two are not coaching," Megan teased.
"We might it could be fun," Teddy smiled.
"So who will she look like," Megan asked.
"I keep picturing red hair," Teddy admitted, "and Owen's eyes. I think she'll look like her dad."
"Your eyes," Megan guessed, "a perfect mix of you two."
They continued washing dishes and making small talk.
"You and Owen," Megan asked, "mom and Joyce took their tea out to the porch no one can hear us."
"We're good," Teddy smiled, "it's good."
"Just good," Megan asked.
"He makes me feel thing's I've never felt," Teddy admitted, "things I never thought I would."
"Like," Megan asked.
"Loved, passion, ecstasy," Teddy said, "for the first time in 40 years some one really knows me and sees me. He sees me for me and who I am. I feel seen and loved. And I never thought this was possible. I feel secure, safe and wanted. I want to be with him and not just because of our daughter. I've loved him for decades!"
"Teddy you're leaking," Megan interrupted.
"I think my water broke some where around passion and ecstasy," Teddy admitted.
"I'm going to get Owen," Megan replied, "you should sit."
"No," Teddy moaned grabbing onto the counter.
"Okay that's a contraction," Megan said.
"Owen," Teddy whimpered.
"I'm getting him," Megan replied.