Teddy was sitting beside Annie's bed just after 3pm when her phone went off. It showed Dan's number.
"Dan, I'm glad to finally hear from you," Teddy said.
"Teddy what happened," Dan asked.
"I don't know the details but Jessica attacked Annie to the point that Annie required emergency trauma surgery," Teddy said.
Dan asked, "how major of a surgery."
Teddy shifted to doctor mode, it was the only way she knew how to have this conversation, "there were multiple blunt force tramas to her abdomen. She was in surgery for nearly 6 hours. They needed to repair her spleen, as well as removed the damaged portion of her liver."
"What does that mean," Dan asked.
"The 40% of her liver that was removed should regenerate over the next 6-8 weeks, her spleen will need about the same amount of time. They also gave Annie 10 units of blood and 3 units of packed cells," Teddy said, "she has a 2-3 month timeline for total recovery."
"You've talked to her doctor," Dan asked.
"Annie asked the hospital to call me. I'm at the hospital, " Teddy said, "she's asleep right now. She has been drinking but isn't hungry yet."
"Should we be worried she hasn't eaten," Dan asked.
"With the medication she's on and the trauma. It's not abnormal that she's not hungry," Teddy said.
"We're on our way to the hospital. Both girls are there," Dan said.
"Go see Jessica first," Teddy directed, "Annie is currently stable and I'm not leaving her side. As far as I know Jessica is alone."
"If you've been sitting with Annie do you need a break," Dan asked.
"Owen Hunt is with me," Teddy replied, "he's the trauma surgeon that Annie likes to work with. He's my closest friend, he drove me up."
"Annie likes him," Dan said.
"It's mutual," Teddy agreed, "he's my family and is sitting with her while she sleeps so I can talk to you."
"She's not alone," Dan asked.
"She won't be alone," Teddy said, "I don't know if Annie is prepared to see you. She keeps saying that she'll be in trouble when you get here. She's worried about making it up to Jessica. Annie is terrified of you and Jessica. She's cried over it every time she wakes up."
"What are you saying we do," Dan asked.
"Go see Jessica," Teddy said, "I will talk to Annie. We have to remember she is an adult and makes the decision about who she will see and her care. We can have our opinions but we can't decide for her."
"I understand," Dan said, "we're going to drive to the hospital. We'll call when we get there."
"I'll let you know if anything changes before we see you," Teddy said.
Teddy walked back to Annie's bed.
"Mama, who was that," Annie asked.
"It was your dad sweetie," Teddy said.
"I'm scared to see him. He'll be mad that I set Jessica off," Annie said.
"You did nothing wrong," Teddy said, "how are you feeling?"
"Everything hurts," Annie whined.
"I know," Teddy said, "we'll get more pain medication."
"No, I don't want to be foggy," Annie said.
"It's your choice Annie," Owen said, "controlling your pain will help you heal."
"They took part of my liver, what does that mean," Annie asked.
"It will take 6-8 weeks to grow back fully," Owen said, "we do partial liver transplants with half of a liver. They only took 40% of yours out. It will fully grow back in a few weeks."
"I'm tired," Annie said.
"I know," Teddy replied, "I'd like to get you cleaned up a bit before you go back to sleep. Brush your hair, I can do normal braids, I don't know how to french braid. I think washing your face will make you feel better two."
"Okay," Annie said, "can you do two braids, one hurts to sleep on."
Teddy smiled, "I can do that."
Teddy helped Annie to sit up in the bed, "Owen can you get the hair brush from my purse."
"You sure Teddy," Owen asked.
"Hunt just get the brush," Teddy sighed, "there should be a few hair elastics floating in there somewhere."
Owen dug through Teddy's purse and brought her the hair ties and brush. Teddy sat on the edge of the bed and gently brushed Annie's hair, "your hair is really long."
"I know," Annie said.
"It'll take me awhile to brush. Are you okay sitting up," Teddy asked.
"I am," Annie said, "I feel better sitting up."
"Okay, let me know if it gets too much," Teddy said.
Owen stood in the door way, "I'm going to go get some coffee. Do you want anything?"
"Do you mind grabbing me a cup as well," asked Teddy.
"Can you ask the nurse if I can have more apple juice," asked Annie.
"Two coffees and one apple juice coming up," Owen said.
"Thank you," Teddy said.
As he walked down the hall Owen thought about what had happened in that room today. Part of him wondered if he had made the right decision with Christina. His wife was exciting, brilliant, driven and passionate but his best friend was compassionate, loving, brilliant, and gentle. He had watched Teddy do something he knew his wife would never do, not getting up in the middle of the nice to go to a patient but the care she was showing Annie, being a mom.
Teddy finished braiding Annie's hair. Annie curled up against Teddy with her head on Teddy's shoulder. She was half asleep when Teddy's phone pinged.
Teddy whispered, "it's your dad. Your uncle called them and they just got to the hospital. Let me go talk to them."
"I don't want to be alone, I'm scared," Annie said.
"I know," Teddy said, "Owen will come sit with you."
"But I want you," Annie said.
"I know sweetie," Teddy said, "I have to talk to your parents. Uncle Owen will stay with you."
"Can he talk to my parents," Annie asked.
"I don't think that will work," Teddy said, "it's a hard enough conversation to have. It should be me."
"I don't want to see them," Annie cried.
"I know they're meeting me by the elevator," Teddy said , "once Owen is back with my coffee and your juice I'll go."
"I'm comfy," Annie whined.
"I know," Teddy soothed, "as soon as I'm done I'll come back. I saw a new book in your purse we could read to you."
"Okay," Annie agreed.
Owen came into the room , "I was in the elevator with a couple I think are Annie's parents. I didn't say anything it wasn't my place."
"I'm going to go talk to them," Teddy said, "Owen will you keep her company?"
"Of course," Owen said, "Annie do you want your juice while it's cold?"
"Yes please," Annie replied.
Owen put the straw in the juice and handed it to Annie. He pulled a chair up beside the bed, "so your sister did this. I know you don't want to tell Teddy what's happening but can you tell me? I want to make sure your safe."
"I can't," Annie said.
"Why not," Owen asked.
"I'll get in trouble, it's my fault," Annie replied, "it's always my fault."
"Annabeth Grace McKellar Altman," Owen said, "this is not your fault. Your sister is the one in the wrong. You were beaten playing a board game."
"I didn't pick her card to win," Annie said, "why did you add Altman to my name?"
"Because you have your mom's strength and heart," Owen said, "you're as much Teddy's girl as anyone else's."
"Uncle Owen," Annie paused.
"Yes Annie," Owen asked.
"Can I run away and change my name," Annie asked.
"You can go stay with Teddy for a while, or Christina and I," Owen said, "you don't need to hide away and change your name."
"I want to go stay at mama's until school starts," Annie said.
"When you are healthy enough I'm sure you can but it's a 3 hour drive and all of your doctors are here," Owen said.
"I don't want to be here any more," Annie confessed, "I need to get away from Jessica."
"I know," Owen said, "when Teddy comes back we can come up with a plan with her."
"Could I just stay at school during the week and on long weekends or breaks go stay with Teddy. Do you think she would be okay with that," Annie asked.
Owen replied, "I think she would like that. And if she's out of town for a weekend when you're off you can come stay with Chrstina and I."
Teddy walked outside with Leslie and Dan.
Leslie asked, "Teddy what's wrong?"
"Annie's physical injuries are the least of our worries. Those will heal in 6-8 weeks. My major concern is her mental state," Teddy said.
"What do you mean mental state is there a head injury," Dan asked.
"Let's have a seat," Teddy said, "this is a hard conversation."
"Teddy you're scaring me," Leslie said.
Teddy began in doctor mode, "as you know Jessica caused the injuries and Annie is terrified that she will be punished for getting hurt. She has asked not to see the two of you because she fears you will be mad. Right now Owen is with her, she does not want to be alone. She is afraid to be alone. Annie was clinging to me when I left I had to pry her off me. I think this goes back to what was said on Easter weekend and the way Jessica treated Annie then. Annie gave me the password to her phone. I read the most recent messages between your daughters and they are disturbing."
Dan asked, "what are you suggesting?"
Teddy sighed, "if this was David sending these messages to Annie or treating Annie like this what would you want her to do?"
Leslie cried, "I'd want her to break up with him and get a restraining order."
Dan said, "that's her sister you can't do that with family."
Teddy sighed, "the RCMP are investigating the events of last night. They haven't spoken to Annie yet. I haven't let them. I need her to be a bit stronger and less anxious first. She will need extensive specalized counselling."
"When can she come home," Leslie asked.
"Her doctors will decide when she can be released," Teddy said, "that will be 2-3 weeks from now, she will then need 24/7 support at home. I'm thinking that if her doctors deem her stable enough for the drive, I would like to bring her home with me. I think that she needs separation from anything to do with Jessica."
Dan asked, "are you saying she is unsafe medically in our home?"
Teddy paused, "I'm worried that having her in the same house as Jessica during a difficult and painful recovery will be hard for mentally. We need Annie as calm as possible, this level of anxiety she currently has will slow the healing process."
"Would you feel better if you stayed with us," Dan asked.
"Unfortunately I am unable to be away from the hospital that long," Teddy said.
"Then how can you care for Annie at your place," Dan asked.
"I've already spoken to Owen and Evelyn Hunt. I will also be asking some other friends for help. People that Annie knows and has liked when she comes down, April Kepner, Christina Yang and Arizona Robbins," Teddy said.
"All doctors," asked Leslie.
"Yes ," Teddy replied.
Dan spoke, "we can sort that out when she's close to discharge. What are we going to do about the issue with the girls?"
Teddy sighed, "right now I think we need to leave it up to the professionals."
Dan asked, "we need both in a good place."
"We do," Teddy agreed, "we have to let Annie decide when and if she wants to see you or Jessica."
"Us," asked Dan.
Teddy said, "we have to respect her wishes. She has asked not to see you. She thinks she's in trouble. I can talk to her and see."
"What if we called her and talked to her on the phone," Leslie suggested.
"We can try," Teddy said, "but no one can raise their voice or get mad. All we've done today is reassure her. She's cried most of the day. She needs to know that you're not mad at her. That you love her and that it's unconditional love. What happens to her doesn't depend on what happens to her sister. Right now we need to fight for Annie. I will fight for Annie with everything I have."
"We need to talk to Jessica's doctors and get a picture," Dan said, "we need to make decisions for both girls."
"I will advocate for Annie and Annie alone," Teddy said, "until Annie asks for you. I'm telling you that you need to wait and not add to her anxiety by going to her room. Annie will ask when she feels safe to do so."
"Thank you for being there for Annie," Leslie said, "I'll check in with you in a while."
"I'll let you know if anything changes," Teddy said, "when I left she was stable and talking. Owen went to get me a coffee and she asked for apple juice. She's really thirsty which is a good sign."
Leslie gave Teddy a weak smile, "she always wants apple juice when she's not feeling well. Give her as much juice as she wants."
Teddy walked back up to Annie's room. She heard Annie and Owen talking, she paused in the doorway and listened.
Owen was speaking softly, a tone Teddy had never seen this tenderness in him before, "Annie you will get through this. You have me, your mama, my mom. We will all be here for you. My mom knows and is praying for you. She wants me to tell you she sends her love. You are brilliant, sweet and strong. Don't let your sister's in ability to control her actions ruin you."
Annie saw Teddy, "mama, did you see mom and dad?"
"I did," Teddy replied as she took a seat on the side of the bed.
Annie took Teddy's hand, "what did they say?"
"They're worried about you and want to see you," Teddy said, "but it's your choice. Do you want to call your mom and talk to her?"
"They'll be mad at me," Annie said, "they always blame me when Jessica hurts me. I triggered her."
Owen took Annie's other hand, "Annie I promise you none of this is your fault. We talked about this and what you would tell a friend if someone did that to them. You said you would tell them that it wasn't their fault and to leave."
"If I call my mom will she yell at me," asked Annie.
"They promised me they wouldn't yell," Teddy said.
"We'll be right here with you," Owen promised , "Teddy and I aren't going anywhere. Except me right now for 2 minutes to go to the washroom."
"When you're back can we call mom," Annie said.
"We will," Teddy said.
"Are you sure I'll be okay," Annie asked.
"I promise," Teddy said, "I'm right here. And if they push you too hard Owen will probably go all Major Hunt on them."
"I can do this," Annie said.
"Yes you can," Teddy replied squeezing her hand.