The next morning Owen picked Amanda and Molly up.
"How's Teddy," Amanda asked as they started down the trail, the teen loosely holding the dog's leash.
"Over tired and scared about the baby," Owen said, "but she's okay. You don't need to worry."
"She won't be like my mom," Amanda asked.
"No," Owen said, "your mom, you don't talk about her."
"I was 4 when she left," Amanda said, "I don't really remember her. All my little kid memories are of my dad."
"You and your dad are close," Owen said, "do you mind sharing him with me?"
"Can you share your mom," Amanda asked.
"I want to," Owen said, "we already share her."
"But does she want to," Amanda asked.
"She does," Owen promised.
"What would Megan say," Amanda asked.
"She'd say go for it," Owen said, "she loved you kiddo."
"She was scary sometimes," Amanda said.
"Very loud," Owen said, "she liked to tease and joke."
"I don't like being teased," Amanda admitted.
"I know," Owen said, "you're very serious and very literal. I'll try not to tease you too much."
"You only do it sometimes," Amanda said.
"So you've had your dad more than I had mine, what do I need to know," Owen asked.
"Don't leave," Amanda said, "dad never leaves, he's always there."
"Vacations with mom," Owen asked.
"They went to a couple conferences and made it a week but Teddy stayed with me," Amanda said, "she was still living with us. I had fun with her."
"Teddy liked that week. She sent me pictures of the fun you were having. Other dad things," Owen asked.
"We do things," Amanda said, "we ski and hike, he takes me boating and fishing. My friends' dads don't do that. My dad spends time with me."
"Kiddo what do you think about Teddy joining our family," Owen asked.
"She already is," Amanda said.
"I want to ask her to marry me," Owen said, "but I'm not sure how."
"How did you ask Beth," Amanda asked.
"That wasn't special," Owen said, "we did the dinner by candle light and I got down on one knee before I deployed because she wanted me to before I left."
"Just ask her," Amanda said, "why does it have to be a big production. Teddy doesn't like big productions."
"Because she's Teddy and she's having our baby and it has to be romantic and special and perfect," Owen said.
"So you ask your 14 year old step sister," Amanda asked skeptically.
"Enough with the step," Owen said.
"It's the truth," Amanda said, "and you had a real sister."
"I have two sisters," Owen said, "one just happens to be a lot younger than me."
"You want to be my big brother," Amanda asked.
"I have been for years," Owen said.
"I did my career plan for school to be a trauma surgeon," Amanda said.
"You didn't talk to me," Owen said.
"You weren't home yet," Amanda said, "Dad and Evelyn were out of town."
"Did Teddy help you," Owen asked.
"She did," Amanda said, "there's two possibilities: I can do Harvard like you and Megan or Texas like Teddy. Then she said I don't really get a choice where I do my residency theres some magical resident sorting hat person."
"The resident matching service," Owen said, "sorting hat?"
"Harry Potter," Amanda said, "how can you be the cool dad if you don't know that?"
"Do I have to read it," Owen asked.
"I'll lend you the books," Amanda said, "I have all 6 and the 7th comes out in a couple weeks. Dad, Evelyn and I are going to the midnight release party at the bookstore. We already preordered my copy."
"Midnight release party," Owen asked.
"July 20," Amanda said, "we always go and dress up."
"Dress up," Owen asked.
"Evelyn dresses up as Mrs. Weasley, dad is Mr Weasley and I'm Hermionie Granger. Jillian is going to be Ginny Weasley, Matt is Harry Potter and Shawn is Ron Weasley," Amanda said, "we've gone to the last two book releases and movies like this."
"I'd take you but the baby will only be a few days old," Owen said.
"I always go with dad," Amanda said, "maybe we could go see Lord of the Rings when it opens in September?"
"You're into Lord of the Rings," Owen said, "I liked those books."
"I like fantasy novels," Amanda said.
"I will take you to see Lord of the Rings," Owen agreed, "Teddy hates it."
"She rolled her eyes when I was watching it," Amanda said, "when will you ask her to marry you?"
"Before she has the baby I hope," Owen said.
"No," Amanda argued, "that's like you're having my baby so have a ring. Teddy will see through that. Plus you have no time to plan."
"I know," Owen said, "are you okay with a sister in law? I know mom and Don like her."
"I love Teddy," Amanda said, "Beth was okay but Teddy is better."
"You like Teddy," Owen asked.
"I do," Amanda said, "I think she likes me."
"She loves you," Owen said, "she worries about you."
"Why does she worry about me," Amanda asked.
"She doesn't tell me exactly why," Owen said, "but you've told her some things."
"Sometimes Teddy is easier to talk to then dad or Evelyn," Amanda said, "you're both easier sometimes."
"We're always here to listen," Owen said for both of them.
"Can I be the baby's aunt," Amanda asked, "I know Teddy has Carly but."
"You've always been Auntie Manda," Owen said, "my sister."
Teddy knocked on her sister's door for bruch.
"Teddy how are you doing," Carly asked.
"9 days left," Teddy said, "I'm ready."
"Any day now," Carly said.
"She can finish growing," Teddy said.
"Cienna was 4 days early," Carly replied.
"Did you wish you could have asked mom about her pregnancies and deliveries," Teddy asked.
"Oh ya," Carly said, "getting nervous?"
"Very," Teddy said, "I had a bit of a break down last night."
"Tired, uncomfortable and not sure what he's thinking," Carly asked.
"It was weird his mom and step dad had a BBQ for the 4th and it was good. His step sister is great," Teddy said, "all of Don's brothers were there with their families."
"He has a step sister," Carly asked.
"Amanda is 15," Teddy replied, "16 in October. She's brilliant. She took home ec second semester because she had to and one of her sewing projects she made a quilt for the baby."
"Are you sure we can't have a shower for you," Carly asked.
"I'm positive," Teddy said, "I have you, Evelyn and Manda."
"Is that is only sibling," Carly asked.
"He had another sister Megan but she was captured in action about a year and a half ago now," Teddy said, "Meg would have loved this."
"You okay," Carly asked, "you keep rubbing your bump."
"Shes kicking pretty hard and I've been getting braxton hicks for days," Teddy replied, "I saw my dr 2 days ago and she still wasn't head down. We think she's head down now."
"How do you know," Carly asked.
"She was freaking out last night and kicked all night," Teddy said, "Owen felt for her. She's still to high."
"Cienna didn't drop until two days before I had her," Carly said, "I haven't asked but I have to Teddy. Did you and Owen plan this?"
"No," Teddy said, "we were at a conference in Vancouver and had a couple beers then we had fun."
"You can say it," Carly teased.
"Baby ears," Teddy said, "does not need to know that about her auntie. Can I hold her again?"
"Yes," Carly smiled.
Teddy took the baby from her sister and cradled her close, as she was holding the baby her own daughter started kicking hard.
"Do you feel your cousin kicking Cienna," Teddy asked.
"Your baby knows," Carly said.
"I think she does," Teddy smiled, "we finally picked a name last night."
"And," Carly asked.
"When she comes," Teddy smiled, "you made me wait."
"This will be fun to have our little girls so close together," Carly said.
"I will be," Teddy replied, "Carly before I have my baby I need to talk about dad's last couple months."
"Teddy you weren't there," Carly said, "you were hardly there. Then you'd get called away."
"I was there," Teddy said, "Carly I was trading extra work for dad's treatments. Everytime I worked an extra shift, took a surgery no one else was willing to do I bought us more time with dad. I ran the emergency room for extra money to pay for dad's treatments. Never on my paycheck but right to the hospital. I worked out a deal with the director, my time for dad's care. I moved in with roommates and gave up my own place to help with dad's care. I was doing what I thought would help him most. I had a skill and connections that could help and I was going to save him. I'm sorry I failed. Can you forgive me?"
"Why didn't you tell me then," Carly asked.
"I didn't want Dad and Shelly to know," Teddy replied, "she found out eventually."
"You told her," Carly asked.
"It was in her letter to me," Teddy replied.
"I have mine still," Carly said, "she was my mom in every way that mattered."
"I know she was our mom," Teddy said, "I wish I could have told her that. She would have loved our babies."
"She would," Carly smiled, " Teddy, there's nothing to forgive. We were losing dad and you coped as best you could."
"You don't hate me for it," Teddy asked.
"Not at all," Carly smiled, "you're my sister."
Teddy passed Cienna back to Carly and stood up.
"You okay," Carly asked.
"I have to pee again and sitting in one spot too long is hurting my back," Teddy admitted.
"Do you need anything," Carly asked, "out of control cravings?"
"Oranges," Teddy said.
"I have a few do you want one," Carly asked.
"Please," Teddy said.
Teddy spent a couple more hours with her sister before heading home.
Teddy was sitting on the couch reading when Owen came home.
"How was your hike," Teddy asked.
"Good," Owen replied, "she actually talked to me."
"One on one and when you're not looking directly at her," Teddy said, "side by side is best."
"It is," Owen said, "she said she prefers me to Meg."
"She's told me that," Teddy replied, "she likes that we're straight forward with her."
"You helped with her career and education planning project," Owen said.
"I was home, she was working on it and I saw the draft so I helped," Teddy replied, "she can do it."
"She will, she's smart," Owen agreed, "what do you want to do tonight."
"Out for dinner for the last time before Allison comes," Teddy suggested.
"Where," Owen asked.
"The French place by your moms," Teddy suggested.
"Let me shower," Owen replied.
"I need to do my hair and makeup," Teddy responded.
They got ready and then made their way to the truck, Owen smiled as he watched Teddy waddling ahead of him, she appeared to be waddling more today than she had the day before.
"Why are you watching me," Teddy asked.
"You're gorgeous," Owen said.
"Fat and I waddle like a duck," Teddy said.
"Gorgeous," Owen replied.
"My car is easier to get into," Teddy said, tossing Owen the keys.
"You want me to drive," Owen asked.
"Yes," Teddy said, "I know you hate the car but I don't want to climb into the truck."
After dinner and dessert Owen asked, "so after our daughter comes what happens?"
"We're us," Teddy said, "we'll figure it out as it comes. We've rushed our relationship for little miss. We figure out how to be a family of three."
"You and I," Owen asked.
"One day at a time Hunt," Teddy smiled, "we know we love each other and want to be together. I want to be with you forever."
"How do you feel about a short walk in the park," Owen asked.
"I could," Teddy replied, "not long something feels different."
"One loop around the park," Owen said. Walking out of the restaurant he checked his pocket for the box.
Half way through the loop they sat on a bench to let Teddy rest for a moment.
"Baby girl it's almost time to meet you," Teddy whispered.
"9 days," Owen smiled.
"Hopefully not that long," Teddy smiled, "we're ready."
"We're ready when she is," Owen said, "what about you?"
"Nervous about labour," Teddy said, "talking to Carly today helped."
"I'll be with you," Owen promised," you won't be alone."
"I tend to say things I really don't mean when I'm in pain or really upset," Teddy cautioned.
"I'll be okay," Owen said, "we'll be okay. The two of us and our daughter."
"The three of us," Teddy smiled.
"Three of us," Owen agreed.
"I want this forever," Teddy confessed.
"So do I," Owen agreed, "we will have forever."
He slipped of the bench and knelt in front of her.
"Theodora Grace Altman," Owen said, "I have loved you for years. You are my favourite person on this planet, my best friend, the love of my life. I can't imagine my life without you. I love waking up with you every day and spending every day with you. I love you more today then I ever have and I will love you for the rest of my life. Teddy will you marry me?"
Teddy froze for half a second before shouting, "yes! Owen! Yes! I will marry you."
Owen slipped the ring on her hand before kissing Teddy.
"I love you," Teddy beamed, she looked at the ring, "it's gorgeous."
"Do you like it," Owen asked.
"It's perfect," Teddy beamed.
"It's a family heirloom," Owen said, "the Hunt ring, it was my moms and my grandmas."
"Me," Teddy asked.
"I didn't know it was a thing," Owen said, "I told my mom I wanted to propose and she gave it to me."
"It's perfect," Teddy smiled, "I love you."
"I love you," Owen said, "helping her up. Let's go home."
"Home sounds good,' Teddy smiled.