Annie and Teddy got home late after a long day with a few emergency procedures and finishing the surgery on the man from the morning. They had picked up sushi on the way home. Teddy set the containers on the coffee table in front of the TV.

"Do you have any homework to do tonight," asked Teddy.

"I have a paper to finish editing and some reading to do," Annie replied, "I finished my calculus problem set in the gallery while you finished up on the old guy from this morning."

"I didn't see your calculus book," Teddy pointed out. She paused realizing how much she sounded like a real mom.

"I copied the questions onto lined paper and then into my notebook," Annie said, "that book was too heavy to bring. Even my readings I photocopied what I could. A couple classes it's articles online this week so I'll just take notes in my notebooks."

"Do you have a different notebook for each class," asked Teddy.

"I do and they all snap into my binder so I have my notes and any handouts all in their sections," Annie explained , " except my lab books for bio and chem. They don't fit."

"Easy to move around then," Teddy said, "I have to prep for a skills lab on grafting in the morning. Do you want to do homework while I get that ready?"

"I can probably get my urban geography paper done tonight," Annie replied.

"What are you doing in that class," asked Teddy.

"We're looking at how buildings like malls, airports and hospitals are designed to make it seem like time doesn't pass. Things like limited natural light or windows in waiting areas, constant lighting levels and 24/7 food service," Annie explained.

"I can see how that works in the ER or family waiting areas but in actual patient rooms we have clocks and natural light," Teddy said, "I think you should look at the building tomorrow and include your observations in your paper."

"I loved being at the hospital today. I felt like I belonged there and in the OR. What am I doing tomorrow," asked Annie.

"I'm glad you felt like you belonged. You fit right in. I think that you'll be a great surgeon one day, you were observant and curious and helpful all day. Your with Meredith Grey, the blonde grey," Teddy replied, "she's trauma with Owen this week. Thursday your with her sister Lexi shoes with Richard Webber this week. Richard is the best teacher our hospital has. "

"I liked his sewing lesson today," Annie said, "but my grandma had already taught me running whipstitch and blanket stitches. I've only used them on fabric. Putting a kiwi back together with them was cool. "

"Richard likes to beat up fruit in his skills labs. He's old school but his students have great technique with stitches," Teddy replied.

"I would have preferred to eat my kiwi, their my favourite fruit," Annie smiled.

"I prefer oranges," said Teddy.

"But a fruit salad with kiwi, watermelon, pineapple and raspberries is awesome," Annie said, "I usually have a big container of it in my fridge at school."

"Is that breakfast or snacks," Teddy asked.

"Both," Annie replied.

They continued eating their dinner pausing to make a few comments on the food or swap rolls between containers. They had discovered that they liked the same foods most of the time.

"Teddy is there a reason that I didn't go in to observe Mrs. Thomas's stress test today," Annie asked , "I was with you for everything else today expect when you had your department head meeting and I went to the skills lab."

"I didn't want Mrs Thomas to see you," Teddy said, "I was protecting you. Because 20 / 21 years ago I was dating her son Steven, your biological father."

"Is she my grandmother," asked Annie.

"Yes," Teddy said, "I haven't told you much about your biological father."

"The term my friend Julia uses for her bio dad that she never met is sperm donor," Annie replied , "can you tell me about my sperm donor? "

"Your bio dad is named Steven. He's a couple years older than me," Teddy began, "he was an electrician when we were together. When you got sick a couple years ago and your mom and dad wanted family medical histories for you if possible I called him."

"Did he help you," Annie asked , "my mom said you were really helpful in figuring out my thyroid problem and why I was so weak and tired. It was your ideas that my doctor followed to get the diagnosis and find the right medication."

"I'm glad that they figured out what was happening. I was really worried when your mom emailed me that you were sick and they couldn't figure out why. I called her one day from Iraq and we talked it through and from what she told me I had a good idea of what was happening. I'm still not impressed with the doctor in charge of your case. Steven wasn't helpful but I do know he's in Portland and is an electrical engineer now," Teddy said, "he asked me not to contact him again."

"He doesn't want anything to do with me," Annie asked, looking devastated.

"No he doesn't want to deal with me," Teddy replied, "I was a bit temperamental when I was younger my grandma called my temper fiery. When he found out I was pregnant he walked out. At the time I had some nasty words for him I told him what I thought of him walking away from us. He's still not married and has no kids. He never told his family about me and you."

"So Mrs. Thomas doesn't know I exist," Annie asked.

"I doubt she does," Teddy replied , "she was shocked to see me and not very happy. I don't know what Steven told her but it's the first time I've seen a patient panic like that when I walk in. Usually patients are fairly calm and trusting with me. She looked like she wanted to run away from me and she was very short tempered. Not the usual sick old lady type either."

"You don't want her to see me because you think she'll put it together," asked Annie , "we don't look that much alike. "

"Annie you look just like I did at 19. You get your looks from me and your height from your father's side. His mom and sister aren't even 5 feet tall," Teddy said , "Jane Thomas knew me at 19. She will put it together that you're my daughter and with your age she'll know. She recognized me today and asked if I was the same Theodora Altman that dated her son 20 years ago."

"Why didn't he want me," Annie asked.

"He wasn't ready either sweetie. He wanted me to do the one option I would never ever consider. Him and I fought about that. That's what broke us up. He didn't want me to stay pregnant. He wouldn't listen to any of my plans or ideas. He never wanted a child, he said he couldn't see himself tied down to one," Teddy said. Her eyes filled with tears and she reached to the other end of the couch to pull Annie to her, squishing the girl into a hug.

Annie curled up and let her head rest on Teddy's shoulder. She was more comfortable with Teddy then she was with any one other than the mom that had raised her. In Annie's mind Teddy was safe and she could be fully herself, the academic nerd, the champion dancer, shy, curious and playful. Teddy accepted Annie fully and for all her quirks. Annie was loving getting to know Teddy and for the first time felt fully loved and accepted.

"You chose me over him," Annie asked, sounding amazed.

"I always have and always will. You're my little bear. When Steven knew I was going to go through with the pregnancy he left," Teddy said , "so I called my mom and had a good cry on the phone and we came up with a plan to finish my exams. I was only a year older than you are now."

"I couldn't imagine having a baby in a year," Annie said.

"It's not something I would ever wish for you. But if something happened and you did get pregnant I will be with you every step of the way. I hope that you know that you can always ask me any question about boys you want to. I finished my semester and went to my parents house and worked the same summer job I did every summer since I was 15, scooping ice cream. It was my hardest summer. My friends I grew up with didn't know how to relate to me. We were 21 and they wanted to go dancing and drinking or having bonfires out near the river and I couldn't join them. I was the driver for a lot of bonfires but I was tired and worn out. The old ladies at my parents church were kind to my face and whispered about me behind my back. That was the last summer I went to church and it was also the last summer I spent at my parents house," Teddy rambled.

"Did you not go back because of me," asked Annie.

"I went to visit my parents but I'd only stay for a week or so," Teddy replied, "my pregnancy and going to med school drove a wedge between me and the people I went to high school with. The girls I grew up with found jobs in our home town did night courses in bookkeeping or teaching preschool. I never really fit with them. I always wanted more, I had bigger dreams than my small farming town. And none of what happened could ever be your fault so you are not going to take that on. You hadn't even been born yet. I was the one that was inconsistent with birth control and trusted a man I shouldn't have. That year I was happy to go off to school. I was back in student housing in an apartment I shared with two other girls."

"That's how you met Dr Milner," Annie blurted.

"It was. I had connected with Anne and Kirsten that summer and talked with them on the phone a few times. They both knew I was pregnant and due September 30th when we arrived at school. My parents drove me down and helped me to get organized and arrange my stuff. I couldn't lift anything heavier than my backpack and you made bending over tough. We started school in mid August and I was relieved to be there where I was accepted by my classmates. It was Anne that would sit with me at night when I cried over the decision I needed to make," Teddy continued, "Kristen was the only one of us with a car. She was the one that drove me to the hospital the night I went into labor. We had been learning about pregnancy in one of our classes and I became a human guinea pig for a lot of my classmates. You had so many ultrasounds and pictures taken. I kept them all in a box. There in the crawl space I'll find them another day. We had just learned about labour the week before you were born. What I learned scared me. I was determined not to be one of the crying women in the videos."

"Do I want to know this or is the next part TMI," asked Annie.

"I will keep the gory bits to myself," Teddy laughed , "remember what I do all day. Human body things don't bother me."

"It does when it involves how I was born," Annie countered.

"I'll give you that," laughed Teddy, " so the night I went into labour I was sitting at the table in our apartment with Anne and Kristen going through flash cards from the week. It was a really exciting Friday night. You were already 8 days late. I'm told it's the last time you were late for anything. I was uncomfortable and when I sat I felt like I was sitting in your little head. I couldn't get comfortable at the table and standing or pacing seemed to help so I paced the kitchen for hours reviewing with my roommates. I kept getting more uncomfortable like someone had my stomach in clamps then would let go, each one longer and tighter then the last. But that had been happening for a few weeks when I was tired or stressed, I knew it was just my body preparing. I thought it was Braxton Hicks that wouldn't go away. I was about to cave and ask Anne or Kristen to massage my back which had helped before. It wasn't until Anne heard me whimper that any of us really realized what was happening. I knew it was getting worse but what I was feeling didn't match the descriptions in the text books or what had been taught in class. They were used to me pacing, stretching and shifting trying to get in any position that wasn't uncomfortable. That was around 11:30 pm . My mom was at her hotel. She had come down to be with me when you were born, I called the number at the hotel and she drove to our apartment. My mom sat with me all night until she decided it was time to go to the hospital around 7am when my water broke, I had spent the night pacing the kitchen and living room leaning on furniture for support. My mom and Anne helped me down the 4 flights of stairs stopping every fourth or fifth step for me to catch my breath. Kristen got the car and drove us to the hospital."

"Your mom was there when I was born," Annie asked.

"She was. I couldn't have done it without my mom. Before she got sick she was a labour and delivery nurse. She held my hand and rubbed my back the entire time. She was the first person to hold you, she took you from the doctor and put you in my arms," Teddy said , "she would be so happy to see you here today. To know that we found each other. She was the one person I could talk to about your mom's letters and share your pictures with as you grew. She loved hearing how you were doing."

"Your mom wasn't mad," Annie asked.

"Her and my dad were a little disappointed that I hadn't been more responsible ahead of time. But once you were on your way they kept saying that a baby is a blessing," Teddy replied , "I know I've told you this. But timing doesn't always make sense but a baby is always a gift. You are a gift. I'm so happy to have you here with me. I would have never even started to dream that you'd want to know me or spend time with me."

"I've always wanted to know you and to have you in my life," Annie said, hugging Teddy. Annie continued, "in all of my what if games I played in my mind I never pictured this. I thought maybe a few emails or a phone call. I didn't even dream you would want me around all the time."

"I've always wanted you around and that will never change," Teddy said, "I've already missed too much."

"One more question, why do you think Mrs Thomas doesn't know about me," Annie asked.

"Because he told me not to call his sister who I had gotten to know well. He said he didn't want his parents to know," Teddy replied, "I'm not sure I'm the one that should tell her now 19 years later. But your bio dad will be here on Friday when she has her surgery."

"I'm going home Thursday night," Annie said.

"I know. That's why I planned the surgery on Friday. I need to talk to Steven face to face first. I'm meeting him in my office to discuss his mother's care with him and his sister," Teddy explained, " he got the call from the clerk he doesn't know its me just my last name. He thinks I'm still overseas unless his mom calls and tells him.

"But you have a picture of you and I on the wall by your desk," Annie said.

"I have two. The one from New Years and one of you in your kilt at the last competition I came to," Teddy said.

"Are you going to leave them up," Annie asked.

"I am and if Terrie hasn't changed much she'll connect it and ask and I'll tell them the truth that I have a 19 year old daughter," Teddy replied, "they can do the math."

"Does Steven know I was adopted," asked Annie.

"Yes he does. I had to get him to sign a paper giving up his rights to you," Teddy said, "and I told him 3 years ago when I called him."

"So do we just leave it alone," Annie asked.

"Right now I would. Another time I think it's your choice. Just like it was your choice to get to know me," Teddy said.

"What's the plan for tomorrow," Annie said, changing the subject, " other than following Meredith around? At least she calls me by my name."

"Did Christina call you thing one all day," asked Teddy.

"When you weren't around," Annie said , "there were 4 things today."

"Remind me in the morning that she needs to stop doing this to her interns and med students," Teddy said, "yes tomorrow you are with Meredith and Owen. He loves you already two, you can consider him another uncle in your Seattle family. He'll involve you as much as possible. Wednesday you're with April and Arizona, Thursday is Lexie and Richard. I wanted you to see neuro but that resident is Alex Karev who I don't care for and plastics isn't for you so no Mark or Jackson you don't need to be with the plastics posse. I'm going to try to pull you to Ortho if I can, Callie has Reid as her resident. Callie is Arizona's girlfriend. You'll like Callie as much as you liked Arizona. If you're not interested in anything they have you can come see me and Christina or Owen is always happy to have you. Why did you change the topic?"

"You looked upset talking about my bio dad," Annie said , "I don't want you to be upset or angry with me. You were happy before I asked about it."

"It's something that's always been hard for me to talk about," Teddy said , " I don't want you to stop asking because you don't want to upset me. It's your story two, you should know all of it."

Annie mumbled, "are you sure?"

"Always, it was a lifetime ago," teddy smiled , "I saw a psychologist for a while when I was a resident and it helped me to work it all out."

"It helps to have someone to talk to," Annie said , "I see a counselor every other week."

Teddy paused , "do you want to tell me about that?"

"It's about Jessica a lot of the time. She makes things really hard for me. It would make more sense for me to live at home and take the bus every day then to be in residence but me and Jessica together for that long isn't safe," Annie mumbled.

"Is that why you have a lock on the inside of the basement door," Teddy asked.

"Yes. It's so I can keep her out when she's too much," Annie said, "she has her own challenges like I have mine. But Jess won't get help. She refuses to go. So I go to our sibling sessions alone or with Chris. I won't give up because even though she hates me I love her."

"If she's too much you always have your room here and a key," Teddy said, "even if I don't answer my phone when you call. You text me or leave a message and come. If I'm in surgery, someone will read it to me."

"Really I can just come," Annie asked, "I would randomly walk in to Mark sitting on your couch."

"Always," Teddy said, "just let me know your on your way. Just so I know to watch for you. I will get rid of Mark in that case. His daughter ran to him when she was in trouble. He would understand you needing a place to go. And when I hang out with Mark after work we usually go to a restaurant or bar and maybe his place. He's closer to the hospital."

"That may save grandma and grandpa," Annie said, "but I'm staying at school this summer. All my roommates have jobs lined up on campus so we're staying together."

"Are you sure you want to stay there," asked Teddy, "I remember school was really expensive. You don't want to take more student loans then you need before med school."

"I'm taking two classes and working with Dr Milner, it's easier to be on campus," Annie said, "my scholarships cover tuition and books plus some rent in the fall. My parents help with rent and a little bit of food. Plus I'm working with Dr Milner and teaching dance, my spending money is my competition winnings. It's okay."

"When you can win $500 in an afternoon of dancing that works well for you. Scholarships for what," asked Teddy.

"A mixture of academic and some others I was eligible for. I have a couple ones I've earned from dance, and I got the church one again it helps that they do $2000 for one boy and one girl each year. I was the only eligible applicant that last couple years so they voted to give me both awards," Annie said, "there's some other grants I'm eligible for for four years but I'm saving that for med school."

"You plan everything out don't you," asked Teddy.

"I prefer to have a plan," said Annie.

"Don't get stuck in the plan and not live," Teddy advised, "my best adventure had very little thought ahead of time but took me 6 years and brought me here."

"I'll try," Annie laughed, "but I'm leaving all things military to my brother."

"That's fine," Teddy smiled ," you'll have your own adventures."

"Chris was a little intimidated by you," Annie said.

"He was. That's why I didn't want him to know my rank right away, I could see his attitude towards me change when he found out. Your brother is still young and learning. I had a lot of boys like him on my operating table," Teddy said, "I sent 95% of them home to their families. And cried over the 5% I couldn't."

Annie yawned.

Teddy checked her watch , "it's nearly one. We should go to bed to do this again tomorrow."

They both stood.

Annie hugged Teddy, " good night. "

"Good night, sleep tight," Teddy said.

Annie giggles, "don't let the bed bugs bite."