After over two years of pandemic protocols and not being able to come home Alyssa and Matt pulled into the driveway at Owens.
"Uncle Owen wants us to deal with my room," Alyssa told Matt.
"When was the last time you lived here, "Matt asked.
"College," Alyssa replied, "but it's home. When I picture home and where I grew up this is it."
"Do you want to come back," Matt asked
"No," Alyssa said, "but they're looking into adopting another baby and need my room. Leo is in what was the guest room and Allison got the home office."
"Does it seem weird that our babies will be closer in age to your cousins," Matt asked.
"Mom was 19 with me," Alyssa answered.
"I've only met your mom in person twice," Matt said.
"COVID," Alyssa shrugged, "I want to see mom. We saw uncle Owen, auntie Teddy and their kids at Peace Arch just after we told them. Mom has to be so careful with flying."
"Why does your mom have to be careful," Matt asked, "other than the virus?"
"Her transplant and she's on anti rejection medication that messes with her immune system," Alyssa replied, "she knows about our babies but she hasn't seen me since February of 2020."
"I know you want your mom," Matt said, "you 're going to ask her to come up when the babies are born."
"No we're asking auntie Teddy," Alyssa said, "I'm closer to her. I'm asking auntie Teddy more about this."
"Can your aunt," Matt asked.
"She'll make it work," Alyssa replied, "it might be weekends but they'll come. Remember they raised me."
They got out of the truck and walked to the front door. Alyssa still feeling like this was home in a way let herself in, "uncle Owen, auntie Teddy, Leo, Allison."
Teddy raced to the entry, "Lyss!"
"Auntie Teddy," Alyssa squealed, hugging her aunt.
"Oh my god," Teddy beamed, stepping back from the hug.
"The girls are growing," Alyssa agreed.
"Girls ," Teddy questioned.
"We had the anatomy scan yesterday," Alyssa said, " they're both girls."
"Your mother knows," Teddy questioned.
"I want to tell her face to face and show her the scan you have to wait for her to see the pictures. I want both of you for it. ," Alyssa said.
"Really," Matt asked.
Alyssa nodded.
"Auntie Teddy, you remember Matt," Alyssa asked.
"It's good to actually see you," Teddy smiled, shaking his hand.
"You as well," Matt said, "you're marrying Owen?"
"I am," Teddy said, "only one of Owen's wives to get the auntie title from this one."
"Wives," Matt asked.
"Both Owen and I have been married before," Teddy said, "but I've always been an auntie to Lyss."
"Christina would not respond to it," Alyssa laughed, "mom hated Beth so wouldn't let me call her auntie then Amelia I was in college it was weird."
Matt asked, ""have you been together long?"
"Almost four years," Teddy said, "but I've known him for 20. I'm so excited for you two. I think I was the first to know."
"You were then Uncle Owen and Grandma," Alyssa said.
"Why Teddy," Matt asked, the American side of Alyssa's family was confusing for him. Her mom lived in California and her uncle and aunt were in Seattle but they hadn't had a chance to spend a ton of time together. Alyssa talked to her aunt and uncle daily and he often joined them on zoom but her relationship with her mom could be rocky. He knew Alyssa liked Megan at arms length. There was too much time and too much trauma on both sides to have a close relationship, it was friendly and they loved each other but Alyssa didn't like Megan interfering. The last few weeks they had been talking more and more, focused on the babies but that was okay. She told him she didn't need a mom, that it was uncle Owen and auntie Teddy that she could always depend on. He was also aware that because of the trauma she didn't always tell him everything that had happened it was too hard for her.
"Auntie Teddy helped raise me," Alyssa said to Matt , "she knew a couple days after we did."
"Owen told me two days later," Teddy said.
"I told him he could tell you," Alyssa said.
"You didn't tell him," Matt asked.
"We wait for Alyssa to tell if we can," Teddy said, "lyss does your mom know it's twins?"
"She does," Alyssa said, "she's sent me stuff to read but it's overwhelming."
"Go with what your doctor is saying,' Teddy said.
"That's what I keep telling her," Matt said, "but then she panics and calls you."
"She always has," Teddy said, "how are you doing Matt?"
"Good," Matt said, "hard to believe we're having twins in February and it's only the second time I'm coming to the house she grew up in."
"Pandemic," Alyssa shrugged.
"We want to come up and see your house," Teddy said, "I can't believe you moved in 2 years ago months ago and we haven't seen it. Lyss is only 27. You've been together almost 3 years."
"He's 30," Alyssa said, "but i closed on the house in February and moved in March 1st and the world shut down on the 13th."
"But you own your home," Teddy said.
"Great timing just before lock down," Matt said, "kept me busy doing the work when job sites were closed. We had possession for a few months before we lived there but we had to change the plumbing and most of the electrical. It was better to have it as a project and live at Alyssa's old place."
"You're still building houses," Teddy asked.
"I am," Matt said, "taking over from my dad next spring. Let the twins get into a routine first."
"I'm off for a year," Alyssa said.
"Were you going to take 18 months," Matt asked.
"I ran the numbers," Alyssa said, "a year is better then Jen across the street has the in house daycare and she's going to hold spots for us. I'm still working from home half time so they don't need to be there all day every day. I can run across at lunch or when I have time to see them."
"Are you okay working from home," Teddy asked.
"It's okay," Alyssa said, "comfortable right now. I go in 3 days one week and 2 days the next."
"That's good," Teddy smiled.
"I only need three work outfits," Alyssa said, "I've been working from home in leggings."
"You look cute," Teddy said.
"Round," Alyssa laughed, "are you sure you want me in wedding pictures with you?"
"Yes," Teddy said.
"Where's Uncle Owen," ALyssa asked.
"Picking your mom and Faroke up," Teddy replied, "they'll be home soon."
"Allison is napping," Alyssa asked.
"And Leo, hes getting old for it but tonight will be a late night so I had him take a rest break," Teddy replied, "soon you'll be on this schedule."
Teddy had led the younger couple to the living room and they took a seat. Alyssa instantly at home and putting her feet up. Matt smiled, she didn't do that at his parents.
"You okay," Matt whispered.
"This is home," Alyssa said, "I grew up here. We're in my room?"
"You are," Teddy said, "Lyssa we would like you to clean it out. You're 28 and in your own house it's time."
"I know," Alyssa said, "I won't come back here to live. But this is home when I think of going home this is where I picture. When I picture going home it's coming here to uncle Owen. Knowing uncle Owen is waiting for me. I might have sooner but the border only opened back up last week. I could cross but Matt can't and we're still really worried about COVID with the twins."
"Have you had three doses," Teddy asked.
"We have," Alyssa replied, "I'm feeling good. Auntie Teddy, I'm allowed two people with me when the twins are born. Because they're higher risk it's likely going to be scheduled either way. I'm hoping they'll let me do a natural birth but my Midwife is saying a C-section is more likely with twins than single births . Can you be with Matt and I?"
"Not Megan," Teddy asked.
"I'm closer to you and you live closer," Alyssa said, "mom's high risk with her transplant and Faroke would have to come. I know how uncle Owen felt about me missing school if I wasn't sick. She's probably the same."
"You didn't get sick days with us or Christina easily," Teddy agreed, "you could con Henry."
"He didn't get any sort of tools out. The time I got bronchitis and was at your house you kept putting the clip on my finger," Alyssa said.
"Yes I was tracking your pulse ox," Teddy said, "I was watching your vitals. I've already bought you a pair of owlet socks for your girls so you can track vitals. I loved it with Allison."
"Can we back up to Alyssa being really sick and with you," Matt asked.
"I had partial custody, it was legally done, she had her days with me scheduled," Teddy explained, "Owen was speaking at a conference in DC and it was my days anyway. But she was fine when he left then came home from school coughing and sick. So I had a resident prescribe and call in the antibiotics and we stayed home for three days until Owen got back."
"Then he spent three days home with me," Alyssa said.
"But the days she was with me and sick I monitored vitals," Teddy said, "her O2 blood pressure, I'm a doctor and did it. If she needed to, we would have gone to the hospital. But it's my specialty anyway so Owen would have called me to examine and diagnose."
"You'll be there when the twins are born," Alyssa asked, "auntie Teddy I need someone who knows me. I want you and grandma when we're in the hospital then everyone else can come when we bring the girls home."
"Owen and I will come up with our kids as soon as the twins are here," Teddy assured, " it was just Owen and I there with Allison for her first few hours. We needed that and so did she. You enjoy your girls, the two of you. You call us and we start driving up when you're ready. Do you want a baby shower sweetheart?"
"Yes," Alyssa blushed, "Auntie Wendy and Auntie Dianne talked to me yesterday about it. I gave them your contact info, mom's and grandmas."
"Lyss can I," Teddy asked, reaching towards Alyssa's belly.
"I want you to," Alyssa said, "I was about to ask."
Alyssa had tears in her eyes as Teddy put her hands on either side of the bump.
"They're wiggly," Teddy smiled.
"They are," Alyssa agreed, wiping her tears.
"Lyss," Teddy asked.
"I was so worried I couldn't do this with you and mom. That you wouldn't get to meet my babies," Alyssa said, "I want you to be there and be a grandma because you're one of my moms."
"Always," Teddy assured hugging Alyssa, "sweetheart I'm always here. I can be auntie Teddy if that's easier with your mom."
"I want you to be a grandma," Alyssa said, "you and mom work out the names. Matt's mom wants to be nana so you two can sort it out."
"Oma," Teddy whispered, "the German."
Alyssa nodded.
"Hi girls I'm Oma," Teddy smiled rubbing Alyssa's belly.
"I think they like it," Alyssa smiled.
Megan and Faroke found Owen in the arrivals area of the airport.
"You and Teddy can finally get married," Megan said.
"We've delayed a few times," Owen said, "then we waited for the border to open. I couldn't without Lyss."
"How many of your weddings has she been to," Megan asked.
"Two so far," Owen said.
"You heard she's 22 weeks with twins," Megan said.
"They found out the genders yesterday," Owen said.
"When did you find out," Megan asked.
"She called Teddy two days after she found out," Owen said, "and told me after she had seen her doctor."
"How are you two, the parents and I'm the aunt," Megan asked.
"She had a tough first trimester then she likes her privacy," Owen said, "we taught her that unfortunately."
"I'll never understand why you gave Teddy partial custody and didn't rely on your wife," Megan said.
"Christina was a resident. I know we did it with Riggs and Lyss but," Owen said, "she needed someone more like you. Who knew you. Someone who would discipline when needed but still love her. Teddy would discipline and make sure Lyss did her homework and keep her on her routine. Christina was a resident and not interested in being a mother. Befriending and driving occasionally was a compromise. When I asked Christina to make sure Lyss ate it meant they had take out. Teddy cooked."
"You're strict,"Megan asked.
"She had rules and boundaries," Owen said, "Faroke doesn't?"
"He's a good kid," Megan said, "a teenager but a good kid."
"She has lots of rules," Faroke said, "she has to know where I am and who I'm with. She tracks my phone."
"I used to check Alyssa's." Owen said, "I pay the phone bill…"
"I get to know how you use it," Megan finished, "have you seen her?"
"We facetime," Owen replied, "Teddy texted they had just got to the house when you met me."
"What did Teddy say," Megan asked.
"That she's good," Owen replied.
"She doesn't come to me with stuff," Megan complained.
"She told you," Owen said.
"Weeks after you knew," Megan complained.
"She's been talking to Teddy," Owen said.
"I'm the last to know about every baby," Megan snapped.
"What baby," Faroke asked.
"Alyssa is pregnant with twins," Megan said, "they'll be born in Feburary. She told us last wee."
"But Alyssa is my sister," Faroke said.
"She's 28," Megan reminded, "and she's really happy."
"But the dad," Faroke said.
"Matt who she's been with for almost four years," Megan said, "you have met Matt. Before COVID."
Alyssa walked into Teddy and Owens' kitchen.
"What are you looking for," Teddy asked.
"Sorry this still feels like home," Alyssa blushed.
"Lyss it is your childhood home, help yourself to anything and relax," Teddy said, "just answer the question."
"Chips," Alyssa replied.
"Where they've always been," Teddy replied, "your uncle won't rearrange the kitchen."
"Maximum efficiency," Alyssa replied.
"God you are Owen's kid," Teddy laughed.
"I want to talk to him about something," Alyssa said, "and mom."
"What is it," Teddy asked.
"I want all of you to be grandparents for my girls," Alyssa said, "uncle Owen is my dad and always has been. You're going to be Oma but I want him to have that special relationship with my kids. I know you guys have Leo and Allison but."
"You're more attached to them than Faroke," Teddy said.
"No," Alyssa said. "He's going to be disappointed I can't really play volleyball right now. I get competitive and then light headed."
"Twins Lyss," Teddy said, "maybe taking it easier is better."
"I'm hiking, we went to haiki, we take the boat out," Alyssa said, "I'm still fishing. I doubt I'll hunt but Matt will. This is going to sound really shallow but I miss my abs."
"Lyss you look great for 22 weeks with twins," Teddy said, "you're still working out?"
"How do I ask my mom to stop sending me articles about twin births and the complications that can happen," Alyssa asked.
"What do you want," Teddy asked.
"I'm doing it," Alyssa said, "in the hospital but I'm having a natural one. This is it one pregnancy and done. I always said I wanted two kids being an only child is lonely."
"If you can't," Teddy asked.
"I'll let my midwife and OB decide," Alyssa said, "but if it's safer for the girls I guess I have to have a c section."
"Your pretty realistic," Teddy said, "I said the same with Allison. You need healthy girls and you have to be healthy. Twins come early a lot. I've treated a lot of nicu twins."
"Why I go to my midwife every other week," Alyssa said, "I'm doing it all. My blood pressure is low apparently. But I've always trended low. Still anaemic. I go for another infusion before we go camping and will have a check up with my normal doctor . Mom wants to come but I'd rather she didn't. This isn't her specialty."
Owen pulled into the driveway and Megan charged into the house, "Alyssa?"
"Mom," Alyssa yelled back.
"Alyssa get over here," Megan commanded.
"Nope you can come to me," Alyssa shouted.
Matt winced at how loud Alyssa and Megan were.
"It's a hunt thing," Teddy laughed, "you get used to it."
"She doesn't at home," Matt said.
"We worked on it." Teddy laughed, "hunt volume was not allowed in my house. I would ignore her until she used a normal volume."
"Jarrett's are loud too," Matt chuckled
Megan dashed into the living room.
"Mom," Alyssa smiled.
"I sweetheart," Megan beamed, "stand up let me see the bump."
Alyssa stood up. Megan instantly put her hands on either side of Alyssa's bump.
"Hi babies I'm grandma," Megan said, "do we know the genders?"
"Girls," Alyssa smiled, "and both will be Hunt-Wolf. We don't have first names yet but the one on my left will have Megan for a middle name and my right gets Theodora . We're keeping the tradition."
"Alyssa," Teddy gasped.
"My mothers," Alyssa said.
Megan and Teddy both wrapped Alyssa in a hug before all three sat on the couch. Megan trying to keep physical contact with Alyssa.
"Mom please," Alyssa said moving Megan's hand off her belly, "I'm still not feeling great and physical contact is a lot right now."
"Lyss," Megan sighed.
"Mom I love you," Alyssa said, seeing that Owen and Matt had disappeared she continued, "I'm really not feeling great about my body and how I look. I'm tired, I'm still getting sick a few times a day, I'm huge and exhausted. Being touched for more than a few seconds is sending me over the edge. Nothing fits right. I have boobs which I hate, shaving my legs feels like gymnastics. I'm pretty sure I'm already starting to have milk. I just don't feel good about any of this."
"Okay we hear you," Megan soothed, "I'm sorry I pushed you ladybug. I'm excited and I want to meet your daughters as soon as their born."
"You'll have to fly up " Alyssa said, "that could take a day or so. I know we're high risk but if we're in the NICU I will need all of you. Uncle Dave is a pediatrician in the hospital I'm supposed to deliver at they have a small NICU but if any thing changes with me or the girls I'll have them at BC womens which is on the same grounds as childrens hospital so they can go there."
"You have access to BC childrens," Teddy asked, "they're amazing."
"We do and transfer there is in the contingency plan," Alyssa replied, "we have contingency plans with the OB and midwife. I'm doing primary care with my midwife because I feel safer. We check in with an OB at critical points. I saw the OB this week after the ultrasound and he's pleased. But I'm not guaranteed that he will be the one on call when I go into labor and if things look good and we're all healthy I want as natural of a delivery as possible. Kelsey my midwife will be there for the whole thing and has admitting privileges at burnaby general. I need a consistent person I don't want ever changing nurses or a strange doctor that doesn't work for me. One reason I went with Kelsey is that she's only going to be working with me at that point. I'm terrified I've been reading and adding more to my reading isn't helping me calm down. I don't need another doctor I need my moms. I need to be reassured and to have competition between you stop. Mom, auntie Teddy and uncle Owen will likely see my daughters first because they live closer, they can physically get to us faster and they are as much my parents as you are."
"I know," Megan said, "but I am getting a flight as soon as your in labor."
"Work," Alyssa said.
"Okay the weekend after they're born I'm coming," Megan said, "use a couple sick days. My CO was in Iraq with me and knows about you. We'll work it out ladybug. Connors won't deny me my grand babies."
"I'm scared," Alyssa admitted.
"So was I," Megan replied, "I was terrified when I was pregnant with you. Alyssa you have me, Teddy, grandma."
"Owen and I are here," Teddy assured.
"I've been alone for more than two years," Alyssa replied.
"We would have made it work if you needed us," Teddy reminded.
"Lyss it was way more separation than I had thought," Megan replied.
"And the last two years," Alyssa said, "we've been apart more than together mom."
"I know," Megan said she offered one arm to Alyssa for a half hug.
Alyssa returned the hug and leaned into Megan letting her head fall on her moms shoulder.
"Mom," Alyssa said, "I missed you."
"I missed you too," Megan smiled.
"Tomorrow what's the plan," Alyssa asked.
"It's really simple," Teddy smiled, "the nine of us with the priest in the park then a really nice dinner."
"Hair and make up," Megan asked.
"I already told you I'm doing my own," Teddy replied, "I want simple. I want our family."
Allison climbed up in her mom's lap.
Megan smiled, "now we both have our girls."
"How am I going to do it," Alyssa asked.
"Two arms," Megan replied.
"Why is her tummy big," Allison pointed to Alyssa's tummy.
"Alyssa is going to have two babies," Teddy replied, "but Allison we don't ask that. That's a rude question."
"Is Grandma coming," Alyssa asked.
"Yes," Teddy replied, "soon we're going to order dinner. I don't know what's sitting okay with you right now though. You've been so sick."
"Spice isn't great and greasy things," Alyssa replied.
"Would Greek be okay," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Alyssa replied, "I can do anything except indian right now."
"Okay tomorrow is seafood," Teddy said.
"I'm good with fish," Alyssa agreed.
"Did you pick a maid of honour," Megan asked.
"Megan I want you to do that for Owen and I," Teddy smiled, "you were the first to see it and encourage our friendship and since Riggs can't come Lyss can you be the second witness so both of you sign as our witnesses."
"I get to do more than watch this wedding," Alyssa asked.
"Yes," Teddy smiled.
They heard a thud from upstairs.
"Mommy," Leo called.
"That can't be good," Megan said.
"I'm going," Teddy replied.
"You haven't told them," Alyssa whispered when Teddy was out of ear shot.
"No," Megan replied, "Faroke knows and you. Nate wants to try to work it out when he gets back and I don't know what I want. Legally I have to let him see Faroke to adopt him in the US Nate had to do it with me but we gave him my name to match you."
"Why if you were planning on marrying him," Alyssa asked.
"Same reason I gave you mine," Megan said, "I wanted to have you connected to me. Your dad I suspected I would end up as a single mom but with Faroke I thought it was possible and you already had Hunt. Nate agreed that you two should match."
"Why haven't you told uncle Owen," Alyssa asked.
"I will when I'm ready," Megan said, "you learned that from both of us. You took your time telling me about your girls."
"I need to process it," Alyssa said, "then I told myself 13 weeks when the risk of miscarriage dropped and I was scared. You told me you didn't want to be a grandma in your 40s."
"I forget how literal you are sometimes," Megan smiled, "Alyssa I'm happy for you. I want to be grandma."
"You're so far away," Alyssa said, "can you come back to Seattle?"
"I don't know," Megan said, "I can always apply for a transfer closer but I'm stuck in a hard place. I want to be with you and close to your family and to really know my grandkids but Faroke has a couple friends in LA. I need to do what is best for both of you. Would you consider moving?"
"I'd have to sell my house," Alyssa replied, "and give up my job and health care. I'm really loving universal tax payer funded health care. I haven't paid for any prenatal care. If we end up in the NICU I won't have a bill for it."
"Thats a real perk of where you are," Megan asked, "how do you do it?"
"I have what they call a care card with a personal health number," Alyssa replied, "I give it to the receptionist when I go for tests or the first time I see a new doctor or clinic and they enter it and it's all tracked. All my blood work is online through a provincial portal. I can see it and can send it to Uncle Owen and Auntie Teddy if I'm unsure of it but they taught me to read blood work."
"Can I see," Megan asked.
"I'm not ready for you to be that involved in my medical care," Alyssa replied, "we're making progress but can I wait on that one?"
"You can," Megan replied, "but I want to see ultrasound pictures."
"I have them but I want to sit with both you, grandma and auntie Teddy," Alyssa replied, "I want the four of us together. And no more petting my belly unless invited."
"I wondered if I would ever get these moments with you," Megan said, "I wanted them with my mom but because I was in Boston it was hard to spend time with her and she got to Boston the day after you were born."
"Who was with you," Alyssa asked.
"Derek and Owen," Megan replied, "I threw Derek out and didn't have him come into the OR with me for the c-section. Owen was the first to see you even before I did. He cut your umbilical cord."
"Why didn't Derek," Alyssa asked.
"Because he was pushing my blood pressure sky high," Megan replied, "and we think he was high. I was safer with Owen. Grandma was supposed to be there but you had other plans and Owen stepped up because he's Owen."
"Is that why you picked him to be my guardian," Alyssa asked.
"Yes," Megan said, "I knew he had that relationship with you and I think now that I made the right choice. I get jealous sometimes of how close you are to him and Teddy but I'm not upset. I know I chose him for you and you were loved and cherished. Alyssa that you go to him and Teddy first is because they fully loved and cherished you. You are so loved and they never ever stopped loving you. Owen put you in my arms and helped me hold you the first time. Alyssa he raised and loved you. I can never be upset about that. I am beyond thankful for that. We all love you and want the very best for you. I haven't asked ladybug, are you happy about this?"
"I am," Alyssa said, "mom I want my daughters. I want my babies. Are you sure you're okay with it?"
"Lyss as long as you are safe, happy and healthy you have my full support," Megan replied, "I love you. I have from the moment that test was positive. I love you, I want you to be happy. You went through too much already, too many hard times you deserve happiness."
"I'm happy," Alyssa assured.
Evelyn had let her self in and leaned over the back of the couch, "Megan, Lyss?"
"Grandma," Alyssa beamed turning to look at her.
"Lyss," Evelyn smiled, "stand up and let me look at you."
Alyssa stood and walked to hug Evelyn.
"My great grand babies," Evelyn smiled.
"Another generation of Hunt girls," Alyssa smiled.
"Girls," Evelyn asked.
"Two baby girls," Alyssa beamed, "first names are undecided but we have middle and last."
"Lyss," Evelyn asked, "are you sharing?"
"We are," Alyssa smiled, "this one gets Megan Hunt-Wolff and this one gets Theodora Hunt-Wolff."
"Your mom and Teddy," Evelyn asked.
"Our tradition and my moms," Alyssa replied, "grandma do you want to meet them?"
"I do," Evelyn said. Alyssa guided Evelyn's hands watching as her grandmother beamed.
"I have to go to the washroom then when I come back we can get Auntie Teddy and show all of you the pictures," Alyssa said.
"Yes," Megan agreed, "I want to see them."
"You will mom," Alyssa said as she walked away.
When Alyssa got back she pulled up the ultrasound images on her iPad. Matt stood back and let her have the moment with her parents and grandma.
"Two little girls," Owen smiled at Alyssa.
"Two girls," Alyssa confirmed.
"Lyss," Owen said.
"Opa do you want to meet them," Alyssa asked.
"I do," Owen said.
"Hands," Alyssa said, "they each need their own hand."
"Do we have names," Owen asked.
"No first names but on my left so your right will get the middle name Megan and my right your left gets Theodora," Alyssa smiled, "my moms."
"We're going to hyphenate," Matt said, "Hunt-Wolff."
"Lyss," Owen asked.
"I'm good," Alyssa assured, "Uncle Owen I'm happy. I want this."
"I'm happy for you kiddo," Owen smiled.
Alyssa gave Owen a hug which he happily returned.