Friday
Teddy walked into Annie's room early in the morning to find Chris asleep in Owen's chair and Annie already reading, someone had given Annie her ipod back and she was listening to music.
"Mama," Annie whispered.
"Good morning sweetie," Teddy said, coming over to hug Annie. She did feel more rested after sleeping for more than 4 hours and being in a real bed.
"Can I try to walk around today," Annie asked, "I'm getting really bored in my room."
"Let's wait for your doctor and I want Uncle Owen here when we try that," Teddy said, "the nurses are busy but him and I can help you."
Annie rolled her eyes, "mama I know how to walk."
"I know but you still not eating much and pretty weak," Teddy said.
Chris stirred in the chair, "morning."
"Good morning Chris," Teddy greeted, "did you sleep in the chair all night?"
"I did," replied Chris.
"Hungry," asked Teddy.
"We have some snacks and I kidnapped a few things from the hotel buffet," Teddy offered.
"I'll be fine with coffee and some toast," Chris said.
"I don't have toast," Teddy said, "but coffee is on its way with Owen and Christina. I'll ask him to bring you one. I have a couple muffins, yogurt, apples and a banana."
"A muffin and a banana would be great," replied Chris.
Teddy handed him the banana and a blueberry muffin in a ziplock bag, "Annie I saw that look, you don't get coffee yet. Tea or hot chocolate?"
"Earl grey tea please," Annie said.
Teddy quickly texted the request to Owen.
Owen and Chrsitina came in with tea for Annie and coffee for everyone else.
"Annie, how are you feeling today," asked Owen.
"Starting to get bored," Annie said, "I've been in this room since Tuesday, I want to get out of it."
Owen gave Teddy a high 5, "she's getting bored."
"Why is this a good thing," asked Annie.
Teddy beamed, "it means you're feeling better."
"Let's talk to your doctor during rounds and if he's okay with it we can either take you in a wheelchair to the garden or for tea in the coffeeshop or hopefully you can do a lap of the unit," Owen said.
"Anything to get out of here," Annie said.
"Chris why don't you go home, shower, change out of that uniform, talk to your parents and come back," Owen directed.
"I will after we see Annie's doctor," Chris said, "I need to hear that she will be okay from him."
Teddy put her hand on Chris's shoulder, "I understand that but I need you to trust me and Uncle Owen. Dr. Smith has done everything we would do. He and Owen did their trauma fellowships at the same hospital a couple years apart. Dr. Smith is a world class trauma surgeon, he's been excellent so far. I trust him."
"I know mam," Chris replied, "but this is my sister. I have to fight for my sister."
Owen grinned at the young man, "I understand that. But right now we are not on a battlefield. You are going to be better for Annie if you at least go shower, get clean clothes and call your parents. Take my truck and go home even if it's only for a couple hours."
"After the doctor comes I will," Chris said.
"We can compromise on that," Teddy said, "Owen, remember here you are Uncle Owen. Not Major Hunt. Chris's uniform seems to be confusing you."
"I'm just trying to take care of him and Annie," Owen said.
"I know Hunt," Teddy said, "more cool Uncle Owen who buys sea otter printed scrub caps and gives pre-med students the chance to help on actual surgeries. Less amry."
"I'll try," Owen agreed.
Dr Milner popped her head into the room, "Annie you're awake this time."
"Good morning dr. Milner," Annie greeted, "what are you doing here. It's Friday."
"I'm covering for a friend of mine," dr. Milner said. She entered the room and hugged Teddy, "how are you holding up Teds?"
"Annie's brother got here yesterday, he stayed with her last night so I was able to actually sleep at the hotel," Teddy replied, "I feel better having slept."
"Let me know if you need anything," Dr. Milner said.
"Thanks Anne," Teddy replied.
Chris whispered, "who is that?"
"Mama's medical school roommate, she was there when I was born. Dr. Milner is the professor I work for as a research assistant," Annie whispered back.
"Who is the young man," asked Dr. Milner.
"Annie's brother Chris," Teddy replied.
"I have to get going but I stopped by to ask if your resident is still here and borrow her," Dr. Milner said, "she's ahead of my fellow and I have a complex valve replacement and CABG today if she would like to assist."
"Yang," Teddy said, "go with Dr. Milner."
Christina stood up and walked to the door, "thank you Dr. Milner."
"Any time Dr. Yang," Dr. Milner replied, "I'll have to come down and see what you and Teddy are working on when Annie is better."
"That would be good," replied Teddy.
Christina left the room with Dr Milner. Teddy visibly relaxed, she loved Chrisitina as a resident and co worker, but she wasn't great in this situation. Things were easiest when it was just her and Owen with Annie. She had a feeling that Chris would be a good distraction for Annie. Annie was already perking up and her blood pressure and heart rate had come down the moment Chris appeared, something about the calm and confidence Chris brought to the room was helping Annie to calm down. It was almost as good as when Teddy cuddled her. Over the last few months Teddy had learned that Annie was best comforted through physical contact when she got upset, or panicked. Over the last few days Annie had needed a lot of cuddles. Teddy had spoken to Dr. Wyatt about that, she didn't know the woman well. They had both agreed that this was a coping mechanism with the trauma Annie had been through. They thought it would resolve in time, but for now Teddy was to give her as much attention as she needed. They also agreed that it was normal for Annie to only trust and attach to one or two people, the surprise was that it was Owen as the second safe person.
Dr. Smith came into the room, " good morning Annie, Dr. Altman, Dr. Hunt, you've got someone new today."
Annie replied, "this is my brother Chris."
"It's good to meet you Chris," Dr. Smith said.
Teddy took control of the situation, "how do her labs look?"
"Her blood work from last night looks good," Dr. Smith said, "I'm still worried about Annie's iron levels. I want to do an iron infusion today and see how that helps."
"Iron would be helpful," Teddy agreed.
Owen asked, "when can she be up and moving beyond the chair?"
"When Annie feels like it," replied Dr Smith, "Annie do you feel like getting up?"
"I'd like to leave this room," Annie said, "can I go for a walk down the hall?"
"With your mama or Dr. Hunt," agreed Dr. Smith.
"Dr. Altman may I speak with you privately," asked Dr. Smith.
"Of course," Teddy said. She stood up and walked to the door of the room with the dr.
Dr. Smith looked serious, "I'm beginning to get concerned about the family situation with Annie. I've been in touch with the RCMP regarding Annie's injuries and the mechanism of injury."
Teddy replied, "that is complicated. I have been talking with Leslie and Dan, her adoptive parents. Right now Annie blames them for not controlling Jessica or getting the behaviour under control."
Dr Smith agreed, "there is some negligence there. I am concerned for her safety. Does Annie have a good support system beyond you and Dr. Hunt?"
Teddy replied, "honestly I was 21 when she was born and in my first year of medical school. I gave her up for adoption and we met for the first time since she was born in November. Annie has become very close to me in that time. I've always loved her, just because she wasn't with me didn't mean she wasn't my baby in my heart."
Dr. Smith asked again, "what support is in place not just for Annie but for you. This is a new relationship for both of you, I wasn't aware of the timeline. Looking at your bond I assumed you had raised her."
"I have Owen and his mom has always called me her daughter, we are very close. I also have some friends Arizona and Callie who have offered to help however they can. I'm also going to take a step back for a little while and do less surgery and more of the administration side of my role as chief of cardio. I can do paper work at home," Teddy explained.
"Do you feel confident in your plan," asked Dr Smith.
"I do. We are still hoping for Annie to return to UBC on time for the fall semester," Teddy said, "she should have the stamina for that by then. Hopefully by October she will have healed enough to go back to the ballet and highland dance teams. We've spoken with her teachers and they are holding her spots until December."
"You have this under control," Dr Smith replied, "how is Annie's mental state?"
"She's still anxious and afraid of Jessica; the mention of her sister sends her over the edge. She's getting better with her parents," Teddy said.
"What is the biological relationship between Annie and her siblings," Dr Smith asked.
"Annie is my daughter, she is not biologically related to her siblings," Teddy said.
"Seeing her brother I wondered if they had the same father," dr smith commented.
"There are physical similarities and Annie is very close to Chris. But there is no biological connection," Teddy said , "Annie's birth father lives in Portland and is not in either of our lives."
"I should get to my next patient thank you for your time," dr smith said.
"Please let me know if you need any more information," Teddy said.
"Thank you, Dr. Altman," Dr. Smith said, walking away.
Dan walked in," Chris you didn't come home last night."
"I didn't have a vehicle and no one came to see Annie or give me a ride home," Chris replied, "it wasn't fair to ask Owen or Teddy to drive me home. He already got me this far."
"We got stuck at childrens and thought you would call if you needed us," Leslie said.
"It's all about Jessica again," Annie grumbled, "not like I didn't have major surgery and lose part of my liver or anything."
"I've been here almost 24 hours and you guys only just arrived," Chris pointed out.
"We were at childrens until 1am," Dan said.
"Dad it's not an excuse," Chris said, "Jessica may be more messed up in the head, but Annie is hurt. She's scared. She cried herself to sleep last night and there was nothing I could do."
Teddy hugged Annie, "again, why didn't anyone call me I would have come back."
"We were fine," Chris said, "my sister is my responsibility."
Owen suggested, "I think you need a family meeting with ground rules. There's a lot of strong feelings right now."
Leslie asked, "is Annie ready?"
"She has to be," Chris said, "but I'm not going to watch her be bullied and belittled in this family anymore. Jessica can't be incharge of the family. She has been for too long."
"Teds let's go find coffee," Owen suggested.
Teddy asked Annie, "are you okay sweetheart if I go for about an hour?"
"I am," Annie replied, returning Teddy's hug.
"Chris when we get back I'll drive you home," Owen said, "shower, some rest then come back when you're ready."
Owen led Teddy from the room and closed the door behind them.
"Will our girl be okay,"asked Teddy.
"She's learning to fight," Owen said, "I told Chris last night that he needs to fight for Annie. That if it was my sister I would fight for her until my dying breath."
"I know if it was Meghan here you would," Teddy said, " I also know that you would fight for me."
"Teddy I will always fight for you," Owen said.
"Can Annie do this, is she ready to fight," asked Teddy.
Owen paused, "she has to. Were you ready for the battle field?"
"I wasn't," Teddy agreed.
"And you made it though," Owen said, "this is Annie's first battle. She can do it. She's strong and smart."
They had made it outside and Teddy started yelling ,"why aren't they here for her? Why does Jessica come first. Annie could have died. But they leave her in this hospital with me. They trust that you and I can hold Annie together. They raised her and they had her for 19 years before I got to hug her. Now at the worst moment of her life they turn their back on her!"
Owen just hugged Teddy, "Altman breath."
Teddy began to sob, "I can't Owen. I gave them my baby and they broke her. Annie is broken and the only person in that family that seems to care is Chris. What am I going to do?"
"Teddy just breath," Owen said, "we will get her through this. I'm here for you."
"I want to bring her home," Teddy said, "with me. Maybe I should have 20 years ago."
"Then I would never have met my person," Owen said, "bring her home now. Help her heal. I've offered for Chris to stay with me and Christina. He thought if he brought Annie's car down they could have some freedom."
"They have no freedom until she's doing better," Teddy said, "in the house , couch, bed, maybe porch."
"Porch chairs she's fine, what about that hammock you had me help you hang under the tree in the backyard," Owen said.
"Fine the porch, hammock and maybe a picnic blanket," Teddy said, "still doesn't make it better that they let things get this bad."
"We don't know the whole story," Owen said, "I'll try talking to Chris. He seemed to open up a bit."
"Get him to walk the dog," Teddy said, "Molly the lab will probably be in need of a good walk. And Annie opens up on walks with me, it may work with Chris."
"They have a dog," Owen asked, " is it well enough behaved to bring for a visit?"
"I think if we got permission Molly could come in for a visit, or bring Annie outside to the dog," Teddy said.
"I'll get Chris's opinion if the dog would like the trip, but she goes in the box of the truck," Owen said.
"Annie loves both the dog and the cat," Teddy said, "you would make her day to bring the dog. I like that dog, but she jumps up at you. Molly is a sweet, snuggly black lab."
"I'll try to get the dog here," Owen said.
In Annie's room the tension was rising.
"Why do you love Jessica more than me," Annie asked.
"You're both hurt, your both broken and sick right now," Dan said, "but you have another support system."
"But its not you," Annie cried.
"Right now we're trying to be two places at once," Leslie explained, "I don't like it but we have to trust that you're okay here with Teddy."
Chris yelled, "then you need to change it. You need to make it right. You're the leaders here but right now you're not leading."
"Children's Hospital expects us to be there from 10-6 everyday with Jessica until she's discharged," Dan said.
"Then your just going to leave me," Annie said.
"Why can't you find time to be here with Annie," Chris asked.
"We don't go to childrens all day every day for the therapy Jessica will go to jail," Leslie said.
"Then let her," Annie yelled, "teach her that actions have consequences. I gave the RCMP copies of all of the threats she texted me."
Chris took Annie's hand, "good for you. I have some threats against you and I that I sent to dad that were never dealt with. Do you have the RCMP officer's info?"
Annie replied, "Teddy does. She has his business card in her purse."
"I'll get it from her and talk to the officer later," Chris replied.
Their hour was up and Teddy appeared at the door. Right away she saw Annie was pale and shaking. She sat on the bed beside Annie who tried to hide behind Teddy. Teddy asked, "that didn't go well did it?"
Leslie replied, "we have a lot to work out with our kids."
Owen motioned to Chris from the door, "let's take you home so you can shower and change."
"Sir may I speak freely," asked Chris.
"Of course," Owen replied.
"I'm concerned that my parents expect Annie to just get over this like they have every other time," Chris said, "they refuse to realize that Annie is just as important as Jessica. Annie needs more help then I can give her."
"How do you want me to help you sister," Owen asked.
"Protect her," Chris said, "teach her to fight for herself."
"Teddy and I will," Owen said.
"Please can you help me make sure Annie gets to medical school and becomes a surgeon," Chris asked.
"As long as it's what Annie wants I will help," Owen replied, "Teddy will make sure she's on track. Their aiming for Harvard then hopefully SGMW for us to teach her as a resident."
"You want to teach her," Chris asked.
"What Annie wants to do cardiac trauma Teddy is the only woman currently teaching and one of very few outside the army," Owen explained.
"Can her mom teach her," Chris asked.
"She can," Owen said, "and will be proud to."
"A mother daughter team would be cool," Chris said.
"That's Teddy's plan," Owen said, "but Annie will get her feet under her with Teddy then when she's ready will spread her wings and go somewhere awesome to do her fellowship years."
"When Annie gets out of the hospital are you sure we can stay with you and Teddy," asked Chris.
"Of course. Her and I talked about that," Owen said , "my mom will be around as well. So will some of our friends from the hospital."
"Thank you sir," Chris replied.
"Teddy mentioned something about a black lab needing a walk," Owen said, "does she listen well enough for me to walk her?"
"Molly is a good dog," Chris said, "dad and Annie trained her as a therapy dog and dad takes Molly to a seniors home once a week. Do you think we could take Molly to the hospital?"
"I'm happy to put her in the box of my truck," Owen said, "do you think your sister wants to see the dog?"
"Annie will love to see Molly," Chris said.
"We'll take Molly for a visit in a little bit," Owen said, "we need to give that dog a long walk first so she's calm."
"What did your parents say," asked Teddy.
"That Jessica will go to jail if they don't participate in her program so they can't be here," Annie cried, "it's not fair."
"I know," Teddy said , "it's not right. But just a few more days and we'll go to Seattle and you won't have to worry."
"Not about that," Annie complained, "Jessica gets off with no punishment again."
"I know," Teddy soothed, "one day she will learn. Hopefully this helps. But for now it's you and I. We have Owen, Chris, Evelyn and Christina."
"Can we do it," Annie asked.
"We can," Teddy said.
"Please don't leave me with my parents for a while," Annie asked.
"I won't," Teddy said, "you weren't ready."
"That was scary," Annie said.
"I know you didn't like that," Teddy soothed, "but you're okay now. I've got you."
"I'm tired after that," Annie said.
"Do you want your book," asked Teddy.
"Yes please," Annie replied.
Teddy grabbed both of their books off the table and Annie curled back against the pillow. Teddy stayed seated beside Annie. Teddy knew she would fall asleep soon.
A couple hours later Teddy's phone rang , "Owen what's going on?"
"Chris and I are outside with a surprise for Annie," Owen said.
"I'll wake her up," Teddy said. Teddy shook Annie's shoulder , "uncle Owen and Chris have a surprise for you outside."
"What is it," asked Annie.
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you," Teddy laughed, "I'm going to go get a wheelchair."
"I can walk," Annie protested.
"You just had major surgery and still have an iv. Your not walking," Teddy said, "it's too far."
"Can I at least go to the washroom on my own," Annie asked.
"Yes you can do that," Teddy replied, "brush your hair and teeth while you're up."
"Okay," Annie replied.
Teddy returned with the wheelchair, "your chariot princess."
Annie plopped into the wheel chair and teddy connected the IV pole to the clip on the chair.
"Ready to go outside," Teddy asked.
"Actually see the sun and fresh air," Annie grinned , "yes please."
"Comfy ," asked Teddy.
"Yes," Annie replied.
Teddy grabbed the handles, "off we go."
Teddy pushed the chair towards the elevator and they headed down.
"Mama, where are we going," asked Annie.
"Outside," Teddy replied.
"Is the surprise outside," asked Annie.
"It is," teddy confirmed.
They got out to the garden and a black lab darted towards them.
"Molly," Annie called. The lab bounced towards Annie and stopped in front of the chair. Both of the dogs front paws were in Annie's lap and Molly was licking Annie's face. Annie hugged the dog and buried her face in the soft fur.
"This was a good idea," Teddy said to Owen.
Chris stood beside Annie holding the leash. The dog wiggled and sniffed trying to cheer Annie up.
Owen grinned , "one day I want this. Two kids and a dog. Annie looks the happiest she's been all week. "
"She does," Teddy agreed, "have fun getting yang to agree to the two kids and a dog. Thank you for brining Molly."
Dr Smith appeared from another part of the garden, "dr Hunt , Dr Altman you brought Annie outside I see."
Teddy smiled , "her brother brought the family dog for a visit. We thought playing with Molly would cheer Annie up."
"She does look happier," dr smith agreed.
"Chris mentioned that Molly is trained to visit seniors homes and that Annie and their dad have taken her to visit children in hospitals," Owen said, "could Molly come up to Annie's room?"
Chris added, "I have her vest and paperwork in the car."
"With the vest and papers Molly is welcome to go inside," the doctor agreed.
"I'll take her home tonight," Chris said.
"That sounds like a good plan," Teddy said.
Teddy was watching Annie play with the dog who was nudging Annie's arms and then doing tricks on the grass. She knew having the dog visit was the right choice for Annie.