Annie was off for reading break. She had a whole week off and wasn't sure what to do. She was intrigued by Teddy's offer to come spend a few days with her and observe around the cardiac and surgical wings to see if she was interested in anything happening there. Teddy thought she would even be able to watch a few actual surgeries. But Annie was torn, she loved her time with Teddy and having someone that understood her goals and dreams. Her parents were supportive and were encouraging her to go and watch to see if it was something she was interested in. They supported Annie's dream of being a doctor. It was Annie's anxiety that was holding her back, the more she learned and pushed herself the more complicated it made things with her little sister. Jessica had been so unbearable lately that Annie hadn't been home in over a month. She was supposed to spend part of her reading break at home but thought her dorm room alone might be better. But the message she got from Teddy was calling to her and she read it again.
I know it's short notice but next week is your reading week. I'm off saturday night and sunday so drive down after ballet on saturday. We can spend Sunday exploring Seattle, then you could spend a couple days observing at the hospital. I have two surgeries and a couple other procedures you could come and watch. I checked with Derek Shepard, our Chief of Surgery and my boss. He'd welcome you to come and observe. - Teddy
Annie called her mom, "hey mom. I know next week is reading week and you wanted me to come home. But I don't know if I want to with the way Jessica has been acting lately."
Leslie replied, "I understand that sweeting but I miss you. Are you going to stay in your dorm by yourself or will you take Teddy up on her offer?"
Annie asked, "how did you know about Teddy's offer to go observe for a few days."
"She asked me and your dad how we felt about it. If we thought you would want to go," Leslie responded.
"Are you okay with it if I go and see her and her hospital," Annie asked.
"If you want to go and learn, I think you should. It sounds like she has some really good learning experiences planned for you not just in her department but a couple others as well," Leslie replied, "Teddy is trying but she doesn't want to rush you."
"I want to go but i'm afraid to," Annie confided in her mom.
"Afraid of what Annie," asked Leslie, "too much time with Teddy, driving to Seattle on your own or what your sister and brother will say."
"Number two and three," Annie admitted.
"You can do the drive, it's no different than driving to Whistler and an easier highway," Leslie said, "talk to Chris but he liked Teddy and wants you to get to know her. He will support whatever you choose. Let me worry about Jessica."
"But Chris doesn't live with us anymore so that makes it hard. There's no one at home to protect me," Annie said.
"I'm trying with Jess I really am but she isn't able to see her role in it," Leslie said.
"I'm sorry I've made this harder for her by reaching out to Teddy and getting to know her. Maybe if I hadn't tried Jess wouldn't be so mad at me. Or if I could be happy choosing another career, I like my geography classes. Maybe I find something in that path," Annie replied.
"You would always wonder what would happen if you hadn't reached out to Teddy. I'm not surprised that Teddy wanted to build a relationship with you. She's always cared deeply about you. Yes it would have been simpler for Jessica if you hadn't reached out but you needed to do that for you," Leslie soothed, "your sister is very jealous of you. You do things that she can't every day."
"Mom I'm not smarter or more talented than Jess or Chris. I work differently. I work really hard, I don't take breaks. I'm not the most popular. I spend more time reading and doing homework than out with friends," Annie argued.
"You do and I admire your work ethics and drive. You're a perfectionist that neither of your siblings are," Leslie said, "and you have dreams that your dad and I support and want you to achieve but we haven't been down that path. We can't guide you. Teddy wants to help you figure out the next steps. Let me worry about Jessica. Go spend a few days with Teddy than you can choose if you go back to school or spend time at home over reading break."
"Can I call Teddy," Annie asked, "I know you and dad don't love when I phone her."
"You can have a 10 minute call to figure out the next few days," Leslie replied, "we do prefer if you use whats app or skype with her."
"Annie. You need to do what feels good to you. Your sister will mature and grow up. One day Jess will understand and apologize for her actions. She's just not ready yet," Leslie explained.
"But she makes it so that none of the cousins like me. I'm scared that if I choose medicine that I'll lose my family," Annie replied.
"Yes you are very different from them and they don't understand it yet. But Annie you're the first girl on dad's side to go to university, you'll be the first doctor in the family. What you're doing makes all of us very proud," Leslie soothed, "you will never lose dad and I, Chris is your biggest fan, Jess will come around and the other's don't matter."
"What about grandma and grandpa," Annie asked.
"Grandma and grandpa will always be proud of you," Leslie replied, "your sister's line about the family not loving you because you're adopted is a bunch of garbage."
"Thanks mom," Annie said, "I'm going to call Teddy then come home for tonight. I need a few things from my room."
"You're out of clean clothes," Leslie laughed.
"Okay I need to do laundry before I go," Annie admitted, "see you later mom."
Teddy was sitting in the hospital cafeteria when her phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and saw that it was her daughter, "hello Annie, are you coming to see me this weekend?"
"I am," replied Annie, "I'll come straight from the studio tomorrow. My last class ends at 3:15 I should be able to leave by 3:30."
"So you should get to my house around 6:30 or 7," Teddy asked.
"If the boarder line isnt too long. It's saturday afternoon though it could be a two hour border line," Annie said.
"Okay you'll call me when you get across the border and I'll start my count down then," Teddy said.
"My mom said you talked to her and had some stuff planned. What do I need to bring," Annie asked.
"I do have some ideas but things change quickly in the hospital so I don't want to make promises," Teddy replied.
"Okay," Annie agreed, "but I still don't know what to pack."
"Sneakers for in the hospital, and some business type clothes for office time, you're going to be my shadow," Teddy said, "I'll text you a list."
"Why do I need my running shoes in the hospital," asked Annie.
"To help you blend in. Christina is going to lend you a pair of resident scrubs," Teddy explained, "it will help you blend in and go where I want you to."
"What am I doing," Annie asked.
"We have some first year med students for the week starting Monday. I'm going to have you blend in with them in Christina's group for part of it," Teddy said.
"I didn't think Christina liked me," Annie said.
"She did. Christina Yang doesn't show affection for anyone except Meredith Grey and Owen," Teddy laughed.
"Whoes Meredith Grey," asked Annie.
"Christina's best friend. Owen calls them the twisted sisters, they have a very unique bond," Teddy said.
"I promised mom I'd keep this short. See you saturday," Annie said.
"See you soon," Teddy replied.
"You're bringing Annie to the hospital for a few days," asked Owen.
"I am," Teddy said, "I'm not worried about the judgement from the residents. Most of the attendings know about Annie. Yes I had a daughter very young that I gave up for adoption but Annie is not something I will let them judge me for. I did what was best for Annie. It would have been a lot easier for me to have kept her. I missed her everyday. I don't sleep around the hospital or have the whole hospital knowing who I'm dating."
Arizona chimed in, "your daughter is welcome to spend time in peds with me if she wants to."
Teddy smiled, "thanks. I'm hoping she spends time with me and that she can watch a few things from the gallery."
"The gallery. Have her scrub and observe inside the OR," Owen said.
"If she asks. I'll bring her into the OR with me but I don't want to push her," Teddy said.
Arizona asked, "are things going well with Annie?"
Teddy smiled, "they are when she's away from her little sister. Leslie and Dan , her parents, other daughter isa massive bitch to Annie. I'm looking forward to having Annie to myself this weekend."
Mark appeared, "you're going to see your daughter?"
"She's coming here for a few days to observe," Teddy said, "when she's here we're not telling her that I've been dating you. She's not like your Salone, Annie is shy and likes to study. She's premed"
"So what you're saying is she's a good kid," Mark asked, "probably the church type. And not pregnant at 18."
Teddy laughed, "yes. She's 19 and single. There were a few dates with a boy from her biology class but he wanted to move faster than she did so she broke it off."
"Smart girl," praised Bailey, "she'll meet the right boy when she's ready."
"She will. There's someone in her chem lab she likes right now. All she's told me is his name," Teddy said.
Callie chimed in, "at 19 a girl should date and have fun."
"Annie is a good girl. I trust her not to do anything foolish," Teddy said, "she was the result of a long term relationship. I had been with her dad for about two years."
"Has she met her dad," asked Arizona.
"She hasn't asked about him yet," Teddy said, "she knows he exists and that he wasn't involved with the pregnancy."
Richard joined the conversation, "I'd be happy to have your daughter in the skills lab with the med students this week."
"Thank you Richard. I'll let Annie know you offered and she can choose. She has a few options, it sounds like," Teddy said, "she's a bit shy at first. She'll probably stay close to me."
Owen offered, "she's met me and Christina at UBC so maybe I could bring her into the ER. She'll recognize us at least."
"Thank's Hunt," Teddy responded, "I just want it to be a good few days for Annie."
"It will be," Owen replied.