Teddy was sitting on a bench outside Annie's building just after 9:30. She had found the on campus bakery and had picked up a dozen cupcakes and some cookies to share with Annie's roommates. Her favourite memories of friend's parents coming by during her school years or residency was when they brought food, and Teddy didn't exactly cook even though she knew the unit had a full kitchen and the girls often shared meal planning and cooking. She was scrolling through her phone when Annie tapped her on the shoulder. Annie had her waist length hair slicked back into a sleek ballerina bun.

"How was ballet," asked Teddy.

"It was good until I made a fool out of myself and fell out of an easy turn in the last exercise," Annie replied.

"Are you injured," asked Teddy.

"No, my weight wasn't on my supporting leg and was out of control so I ended up only doing 2 revolutions instead of 4," Annie explained.

"So you made a tiny mistake and let it ruin your whole class," Teddy asked.

"Yes," replied Annie, "let's go inside. What's in the bags?"

"I found a bakery on campus while you were at ballet and picked up some cookies and cupcakes. Usually I'd bring wine but I don't think any of you are old enough to drink," replied Teddy.

"You went to the good bakery," Annie said looking at the bags, " we're all 19 or 20. I'm the youngest we can drink."

"I forgot the drinking age here is 19, I'm used to it being 21," Teddy replied, "it's a school night no one is drinking tonight."

"What about thirsty Thursday at the Pit," asked Annie.

"The Pit, that's what we call the emergency room. Who would name a bar the pit," asked Teddy.

"It's our student run pub, it's in the basement of the student union building. Kinda a dark underground lair with loud music and cheap alcohol," said Annie, "but fun on a Friday night after classes."

"I will steer clear of it then and tell Owen and Christina to as well," Teddy said, "she likes her tequila."

"Tequila is gross, and the reason I don't remember the last part of my birthday party," Annie said.

Annie swiped her fob at the box by the door to the tower and lead Teddy through the lobby. Teddy noticed the posters for upcoming events and the list of laundry room rules on the door to the laundry room.

"Laundry theft is still a college problem," Teddy asked.

"I don't know," replied Annie, "I go home most weekends because I teach dance most saturdays at the studio I grew up in. I take my laundry with me and do it at home."

"The old bring your laundry home and get your mom to do it trick," Teddy laughed, "I did it as often as I could. There was even one time that i joined Owen on a leave home from Iraq as well as his sister Meghan and another friend of our and Owen's mom did all of our laundry. We were four surgeons all active duty army doctors and Owen's mom did our laundry. I think it helped her feel like she could do something for us."

"My mom doesn't do my laundry. I just use her washer and detergent," Annie said, "but if I get it started in the washer she often moves it around and folds it for me."

The walked up the stairs in comfortable silence and down the hall to Annie's unit.

"Before we go in there I should warn you… my friends are loud and we can be a bit crazy sometimes. Kasey gets silly when she's tired, or has too much sugar," Annie said cautiously.

"I'll be fine. I can deal with army guys, surgical residents and patients who don't care about their health. It's okay. I want to meet your friends, you met my best friend earlier today," Teddy said.

Annie unlocked the door and entered the apartment. She kicked off her shoes by the door, putting them into the bin with a purple A on it, and hanging her coat on the hook by the door. She turned to Teddy, "welcome! Can I take your coat?"

"Thanks sweetie," Teddy said, hanging her coat and purse on one of the open hooks.

Annie led the way through the small entry and into the kitchen. She called to her roommates, "cupcakes in the kitchen, and my birth mom. I'm putting the kettle on."

Teddy watched as four girls in yoga pants and hoodies rushed into the kitchen, "hi girls."

"Teddy these are my roommates and best friends, Kasey, Meggie, Alice and Jen. Sarah will be home soon," Annie said.

The girls all shook Teddy's hand. She mentaly noted how polite the girls were and watched as Kasey took out 7 mugs from a cupboard and a couple of tea pots.

Kasey asked, "what types of tea am I making?"

Teddy asked, "there's more than one choice. I just have tetley at home."

Jen spoke, "we like tea. What do you like?"

Meggie said, "cream of earl grey is a good one and not too adventurous. Earl grey tea and vanilla."

Teddy smiled, "that sounds good to me."

Alice added, "I don't feel like earl grey I'm going to make a pot of forever nuts."

"I brought treats," Teddy said, taking the containers out of the bag on the counter.

The girls all grabbed containers and tea supplies and moved to the living room. Flopping in chairs and on the bean bags, leaving the couch open for Annie and Teddy.

"This is nicer than any dorm I lived in. Both in college and med school," Teddy said, " I would have loved to have somewhere to cook. Maybe I would have actually learned to cook."

"You don't cook," asked Alice, " how do you eat?"

"Take out, cereal or hospital cafeteria, Alice. I spent 5 years as a field surgeon in Iraq, all of my food was made for me there," Teddy said, "I often work 36 hour shifts and am on call most nights, there's really not a lot of time for me to cook."

"You were in the army. I didn't think Canada had our military in Iraq," said Jen.

"I'm American. Annie was actually born in Texas," Teddy said, "I was in medical school at the time."

"What are you doing here then," asked Jen.

"There's a big cardiothoracic trauma conference here tomorrow until Tuesday," Teddy said, " it doesn't start until tomorrow night but I wanted to spend some time with Annie first."

Alice chimed in, " Annie was really excited about today. I've known her since grade 8. We were in the same home room our first day of high school. With her brother, I thought they were twins."

"I'm glad she found a friend she can count on. Where did Annie go," asked Teddy.

"I'm back, I just ran to the washroom and wanted to take my bun out," Annie said. Her thick hair now hung in waist length waves and curls.

Teddy stayed with the girls until after midnight when she noticed it was after midnight, "okay girls it's after midnight so I'm going to play the mom card."

"Teddy, are you seriously sending us to bed," asked Annie.

"Not at all. I'm saying that I need to go to bed. I'm not 20 anymore. I'm 40, I did a 36 hour shift last night with two emergency surgeries, and a 3 hour nap before I drove up today," Teddy smiled.

The other girls filtered out of the room, putting things in the fridge or dishwasher then heading to be.

Teddy stood and made her way towards the door, "Annie, I've really enjoyed our night tonight. I'm so glad you could spend time with me today."

"Thank you for coming up early to see me Teddy," Annie said.

"One more thing before I go," Teddy said. She hugged Annie tight and kissed the top of her head, "good night little bear."

"Good night Teddy," Annie replied into Teddy's shoulder, "I'll call you tomorrow."

Teddy grabbed her coat and purse and headed out of the building and across the courtyard. It was time for her to go to bed. She washed off her makeup and put on her pajamas. She grabbed her journal and began to write like she did most days.

Dear mom,

I finally met my little girl today. She was perfect, she's smart and kind. She reminds me of me at 19, shy and needing some confidence but we'll get there. She has dad's eyes and your smile.

Teddy finished her journal and went to sleep.