Tuesday
Annie was discharged from the hospital Tuesday morning. She was doing a lot better and was off all pain medication just a couple Advil if needed. All of her stitches had been removed as well. Now it was time to let her body rest and recuperate somewhere safe and familiar. Teddy had gathered all of the things that had accumulated in the room into Annie's overnight bag. She had already picked up Annie's school things she wanted and some summer clothes that had been packed into Annie's backpack and suitcase by her roommates.
Dr Smith came in to go over discharge instructions, "this is the last time you'll be seeing me Annie Dr Altman."
"Thank you for everything," Teddy said.
"You're ready to go home. I'm just going to ask that you ease back into your routine. No exercise for another week then gentle walks to start," dr Smith said.
"I understand," said Annie.
"Dr Altman if anything concerns you please call me or take her to your hospital," dr smith said.
"I will," Teddy replied.
"Make sure you sign the discharge paperwork at the nurses station. It's been a pleasure working with both of you," Dr Smith said.
"Thank you dr Smith ," Annie said.
"Your welcome Annie," Dr Smith said.
The doctor left the room. Annie was finally in real clothes, a soft cotton sundress that didn't touch her still tender incision site. Teddy had picked out the dress for her, she liked the white polka dots on the red background. The dress was very Annie.
Owen came in , "do you have everything?"
"I think so," Teddy replied , "can you do a quick sweep of the room."
"Of course," Owen said, "Annie are you ready to go home?"
"Yes," Annie replied, "let's get out of here. "
"Let's go sign your paperwork so we can go," Teddy said.
Annie followed Teddy to the nurses station and filled out the paperwork.
"They haven't sent us to billing," Teddy said.
"They won't," Annie replied, "I have a BC care card. If you live in BC the provincial government covers your health care. It's just the prescription for antibiotics we have to pick up at a pharmacy and pay for. I have a copy of the extended health card in my wallet. We should only pay the dispensing fee."
"I've already sent the prescription to the pharmacy at the hospital," Teddy said, "Arizona is dropping it off for us."
"Really," Annie asked.
"Take a picture and send with my credentials," Teddy said.
Annie was still weak so Teddy insisted only a wheelchair to exit the hospital. Owen carried the bags of Annie's things while Teddy pushed the wheelchair. When they got to the truck Owen looked at Annie in the chair then lifted her in.
"Thanks Uncle Owen," Annie said, "I wasn't looking forward to climbing into the truck."
Teddy checked that Annie would be comfortable for the minimum three hour drive, "you okay sweetie?"
"I think so," Annie said, "but when did you get my pillow and blanket?"
"I grabbed them from your dorm yesterday," Teddy said, "I also found something else."
Annie saw the stuffed animal in the other seat, "Mr. Otter."
Owen asked, "is that the stuffed animal you threw in my truck?"
"Yes," Teddy said, "she usually brings that one when she comes to stay."
Teddy settled in the passenger seat, "you sure you want to go to Seattle? You can change your mind."
"Mama I want to go," Annie said, "I need to get away from here and have a newish start."
Owen got into the driver's seat, "let's hit the road."
They drove to the border and sailed through the nexus lane, there were a couple questions about how everyone was connected but the border guard seemed to make the common assumption that Owen and Teddy were together. By the time they hit the i-5 and were headed south Annie was asleep.
Teddy turned down the music, "she's asleep."
Owen grinned, "you can leave the music. Why does it feel like we have a baby in the back seat."
"Because we're driving my little girl home from the hospital. Annie needs us right now," Teddy said wiping tears from her eyes, "I always wanted her to come home with me but never like this."
"I know Teds but she'll be okay," Owen said, "she's getting stronger every day."
"I hate seeing her hurt," Teddy said.
"I know," Owen said, "you're her mom. I want her to be happy as well."
"What would the guys in Iraq think of us now," asked Teddy.
"They would think we went soft," Owen said, " Meghan would be happy for you."
Teddy and Owen chatted softly and reminisced most of the way to Teddy's. When they turned off the freeway Teddy woke Annie up.
"Annie sweetie we're almost home," Teddy called, she gently touched Annie's knee.
"Already," Annie said, "we just crossed the border."
Owen laughed, "you fell asleep just as we hit the freeway. We're in Seattle now."
"I didn't mean to fall asleep," Annie said.
Teddy smiled at Annie, "it's what your body needs to heal."
They rounded the last corner and pulled into the driveway.
Chris was waiting with Christina and Evelyn on the driveway. Chris ran to meet the truck and helped Annie out. Annie was guided to the couch by Chris and Owen, Teddy followed behind looking nervous.
Annie was settled on the couch with her pillow.
Evelyn sat down beside her, "how are you feeling Annie?"
"I'm feeling a lot better, glad I'm out of the hospital," Annie said.
Evelyn chuckled, "you don't like being in the hospital. Not a good thing for a surgeon."
"I don't like being the patient," Annie said, "I want to be the doctor."
"I understand that," Evelyn said, "I'm glad your home. I was worried about you."
"Why did you worry about me," Annie asked.
"Because you're part of my family," Evelyn said. She smoothed a light blanket over Annie's legs.
"How was the trip down," Christina asked.
"It was good," Owen replied. He gave Christina a hug and she snuggled into his side.
Teddy sat down on the other side of Annie from Evelyn, "you okay sweetie? Does anything hurt?"
"Mama stop making a fuss," Annie said, "I'm just tired."
Hearing the word mama Evelyn took Teddy's hand and gave it a squeeze. Teddy smiled and nodded. Evelyn had also noticed how Annie had automatically leaned against Teddy, and Teddy wrapping her arm around Annie.
"I was enjoying getting to know Chris," Evelyn said, "your parents have done a wonderful job with their older two."
Owen asked, "should Christina and I go get something for lunch for all of us?"
Evelyn replied, "there's soup that needs to be reheated on the stove and I have stuff for sandwiches. Annie how do you feel about a bowl of tomato soup?"
"I'd like a bowl," Annie replied, "but can I please eat at an actual table?"
"That can be arranged," Teddy agreed.
"I can make it to the table without help," Annie said.
"How can I help," asked Chris.
"Do you want to take your sister's things into her room," Owen asked.
"Which room is hers," asked Chris.
"She's on the left there," Teddy pointed, "her door is open."
"I've got it," Chris said, "but I need the truck keys and we have some of her other stuff in Annie's car."
Chris brought the things in and placed the bags on the floor near the closet.
"Mama my incision hurts," Annie whined.
"You've been sitting up a while, can I look at it before you take something," Teddy asked.
"I guess," Annie said.
"I'll go start getting her things organized," Evelyn said, "Chris you can help me. Owen and Christina lunch."
Evelyn stood up and walked away.
Teddy let Annie lay down on the couch and checked the incision site, "it's not red and there's no sign of infection. I think you just sat up too long. Do you want something for it?"
"Yes please," Annie said sitting back up.
"The perky blonde, Arizona, dropped off a couple of prescriptions for Annie," Evelyn called out, "I put them on the counter in the bathroom."
Teddy went to get them and brought it back to the living room, "do you want normal advil or the t3s?"
"Can we try just advil," Annie asked.
"If you want to," Teddy said, "you can only have one."
"Advil," Annie said.
"Here you go" teddy said , passing Annie the medication and a glass of water.
They all ate lunch together before it was fine for Owen and Christina to go to work. They both gave Annie a hug and Owen hugged his mom and Teddy.
Annie made her way back to the couch and grabbed the remote, she was glad Teddy had Netflix. Chris started to clear plates and bowls.
Evelyn shooed Chris out of the kitchen, "go sit with your sister."
Chris had realized that all of the 'adults' were used to being in charge and getting immediate compliance to their directions. He also knew that Annie would get away with a lot more than he would while she was recovering.
Teddy started to clean her kitchen, "Evelyn did you stock the fridge?"
"I picked up a few groceries so you didn't have to worry," Evelyn replied.
"Let me pay you back," Teddy said.
"Don't mention it," Evelyn said , "there's some meals for you in the freezer as well."
"Thank you because I'm a horrible cook," Teddy said.
"Let's get this cleaned up then we can make a pot of tea and take it to the porch. Annie is fine watching a movie with Chris," Evelyn said.
"They'll be fine," Teddy agreed, "he'll come get me if she needs me."
"You have to stop hovering," Evelyn said , "you're acting like she's a newborn. She gave you a horrible scare but Annie is a smart 19 year old young lady."
Teddy made tea and carried the tea things outside with Evelyn.
"I don't know how to help Annie," Teddy said.
"Help her with what," asked Evelyn.
"She's scared and hurt and back in her turtle shell," Teddy said.
"Owen told me the whole story," Evelyn said , "she's going to need lots of love, understanding and time. I wouldn't be surprised if there's not some PTSD there as well."
"I had a hard enough time dealing with mine after Iraq how can I help her," Teddy asked.
"Be honest with her," Evelyn said, "let her know you struggled that it was hard but it made you stronger."
"I can do the physical side but she also needs a mom right now," Teddy said, "I'm not a mom."
"Your her mama," Evelyn said, "that's what she needs right now."
"Leslie and Dan hardly came to see her and barely said anything about me bringing her home. It's like they wanted me to take Annie with me so they only had to deal with one daughter," Teddy grumbled.
"That must have hurt Annie for her parents not to be around," Evelyn said.
"Annie feels like there's no one in her corner there, she asked to move in with me," Teddy whispered.
"What did you tell her," Evelyn asked.
Teddy wiped the tears from her eyes again, "that she always has a place here and I always want her around."
Evelyn reassured, "that's all you can do Teddy. Let her know in words and actions that you're always here and she always has a place in our family and your home."
"I guess I'm angry," Teddy said., "I trusted them to keep her safe and healthy and they didn't. Did Owen tell you about the pattern of injury in her chart?"
"He said that there was a history and pattern," Evelyn said.
"Annie confirmed it to us and to the RCMP," Teddy stated, "we met with an officer three times while she was in the hospital."
"I'm glad that the police are taking it seriously," Evelyn said , "hopefully the younger girl gets some help."
"I hope so," Teddy agreed , "she needs it. I hate that Annie will have the scars from this the rest of her life they'll always be there."
"Scars fade," Evelyn said.
"They do but her incision is larger than either Owen or I would have done," Teddy said.
"Is it healing well," asked Evelyn.
"Still tender and sore but the sutures are out," Teddy said, "I'm watching it closely."
"What about you? How are you holding up," Evelyn asked.
"It was stressful I couldn't have done it without Owen," Teddy said , "he held me together when she was in surgery and the icu."
"He was worried about you," Evelyn said , "called me to say you weren't sleeping or eating."
"I couldn't leave Annie's side," Teddy said , "he had to bully me to go get rest and relax. I depended on him way too much to take care of me and Annie."
"He loves you Teddy, your family he will always be there," Evelyn soothed , "now that your home you can call me."
"Thank you," Teddy replied, "it means a lot that you've taken me into your family and now added my daughter to the mix. "
"If you're my daughter then Annie is my granddaughter," Evelyn replied.
Teddy nodded not knowing how to find the words.
After a while Evelyn headed home and Teddy went inside and noticed that both Annie and Chris were reading although she wasn't sure how much longer Annie would be awake. Teddy grabbed her book from her purse and took a seat on the chair in the living room. She connected her iPod to the speaker and turned the music on quietly. She wanted this , the two kids happy and content with each other even if they had taken over the living room. If she was honest with herself she wanted this with Owen. Three kids including Annie but two more of their own that she could raise from babies, a dog, maybe a cat. But Owen was married and technically so was she. She wasn't sure how to define her relationship with Henry, she had married him to save his life and she was just getting to know him. But Teddy liked Henry and he had been understanding and supportive of her going to care for Annie and now bringing Annie home. Henry was a nice man, attractive, kind and he made her laugh. Teddy decided to get to know Henry better, to see where things could go with her husband, it had to be better than online dating and stressful first dates.
"Teddy I think Annie fell asleep again," Chris whispered, "do you want me to carry her to her bed?"
"She's okay where she is," Teddy whispered, "do you need anything?"
"I'm good for now," Chris replied , "I told Owen I'd be back at his place around 9 is that alright with you?"
"It should be fine," Teddy replied, "Owen probably won't be home until after midnight. Do you have everything you need?"
"I do," Chris nodded , "Christina showed me where everything is."
"You'll have dinner with us," asked Teddy.
"I was hoping to," Chris answered.
"Are tacos okay with you," Teddy asked.
"I eat anything, it's my sister that's picky," Chris replied.
"I know Annie likes tacos," Teddy smiled, "I'm hoping making or ordering favorites gets her to eat more. She won't recover as fast as I want her to if she's not eating enough."
"Annie hardly eats," Chris said, "always has."
"Have your parents mentioned coming down to see you and Annie," asked Teddy.
"They said they will but it's hard. They're afraid of Jessica," Chris said, "Annie and I have always had to come second to Jess."
"Is that why you enlisted," Teddy asked.
"Part of it, I needed to get away," Chris said, "Annie moved on campus."
Teddy nodded, "she's asked to move in here. What do you think of that?"
Chris thought before responding, "will Annie be safer here? Will you protect her?"
Teddy smiled, "I will. I won't let anything stop her. And you're always welcome to come here and see us. You're really important to Annie. I won't let you lose her."
"Annie needs you," Chris said.
"Right now she does," Teddy agreed, "but she needs you to. It sounds like she's going to pull away from your parents. Don't let her pull away from you. You have fight for her."
"I will," Chris said, "it's me and Annie. If mom and dad don't step up with her they may lose both of us."
"If that happens you both have me," Teddy said.