Annie drove home for the first time in months. She opened the front door of the cottage and saw Teddy and Henry on the couch.
"Mama," Annie called, "I'm home!"
"Welcome home," Teddy said.
They hugged then Annie greeted Henry with a hug. Annie knew Henry had moved in and could see some evidence of his presence in the living room. Annie dropped her bag in her room before flopping in the chair.
"Why am I missing two days of classes," Annie asked.
"Thanksgiving is tomorrow," Teddy said, "we're going to Evelyn's"
"What do we need to bring," Annie asked.
"We're going to go help," Teddy said, "I picked up the stuff for pumpkin pie and apple pie. We can make those tonight."
"Okay," Annie replied.
"Making pies now," Henry asked, "it's like 9:30."
"So," Teddy challenged.
"You two have fun I don't plan on staying up and baking all night," Henry said.
"Grumpy old man," Annie teased.
"Not old," Henry replied, "only 42."
"Older than mama," Annie laughed.
"True," Teddy said.
"One more semester until medical school," Henry asked.
"This set of exams first. But my hardest courses will be done soon," Annie said, "next semester is 3 electives and 2 requirements."
"What is next semester," Teddy asked.
"Urban geography, child development, kinseoloy, chem, and anatomy," Annie replied, "the first three are electives."
"Your finally taking an easy semester," Teddy said.
"I ran out of courses I needed," Annie replied , "I'll have my 120 credits. For my bachelors"
"Graduating college at 20," Henry said, "wow."
Teddy praised , "Annie works really hard. "
"Is there a boyfriend we should worry about," asked Henry.
"Nope," Annie replied , "no time to date."
"No time," asked Henry, "it's college you should have tons of time."
"She has no free time," Teddy said, "7 courses most with labs, working as a research assistant, dancing on the school team and back to competition last week."
"Why," asked Henry.
"I have to get the courses done, I need a job and I love to dance," Annie said.
"Fine," Henry said, "but I'm going to head to bed and leave you two to your girl talk."
Henry had heard about how tough the summer had been although Teddy had limited his contact with Annie and he hadn't been at the house when she was at her weakest. He also understood that it wasn't about him, Teddy was incredibly protective of Annie. Henry didn't know the girl well but had decided he liked her , she was a focused sweet kid he knew from Teddy that even on her worst days Annie was kind and friendly. He had also heard how anxious and shy Annie could be.
"Good night," Annie said, heading into the kitchen and filling the kettle.
Teddy walked to the bedroom door with Henry.
"Don't stay up too late," Henry said.
"I'll be in bed when the pies are ready for the oven," Teddy said.
"Good night love," he whispered into her hair pulling Teddy in for a hug.
"Good night babe," Teddy returned. She gave him and gentle kiss before letting her head rest against his shoulder for a second. This was home Teddy thought, a man who loved her, her daughter happily home.
When Teddy came into the kitchen Annie rolled her eyes and put a cup of tea on the counter beside her.
"You're the best," Teddy said.
"I know," Annie laughed.
"Your going to learn to do the pastry," Teddy said.
"Can I read the recipe first," asked Annie.
"Nope. My moms secret she learned from my grandma. It's stuck in my brain," Teddy said.
"That doesn't help," Annie said.
"We need two batches of it," Teddy explained, "I do one bow you do the other. You may take notes."
Annie followed the directions and did exactly as Teddy did. Soon they had two bowls of pie crust ready to be rolled out. Annie copied until she had two nearly perfect circles of pie crust.
"Annie the steps to Apple pie filling," Teddy prompted.
"Gather, peel and cube 6-8 apples, sprinkle with ¼ cup brown sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg," Annie said.
"Is that your moms filling," Teddy asked.
"It is," Annie said.
"I use white sugar," Teddy said.
"I'll switch it," Annie said.
"You get going on that I'll do the pumpkin pie filling," Teddy suggested.
"Got it," Annie said.
Teddy got out what she needed and began humming.
"Mama can we turn the music on quietly or will it bug Henry," Annie asked.
"Quiet music is okay," Teddy said, "my iPod is in the dock."
Annie picked a playlist they had built together that summer and pressed play.
"Does it bother you that I don't date," Annie asked.
"It's your choice," Teddy said , "I haven't had many serious boyfriends."
"Then why does Henry always ask," Annie asked.
"Trying to make conversation," Teddy said , "you don't need to worry about that."
"There is this cute guy Kevin who just joined the dance team he's a year older than me," Annie said , "I've competed against him for years in highland."
"The red head," asked Teddy picturing the young man.
"Yes," Annie said.
"Ask him for coffee," Teddy suggested, "not attached to a dance event or class."
Annie took her phone out and texted some one , "asked him for coffee next week. He knew I was coming home for the weekend."
"Where did you tell him you were going," Teddy asked.
"Seattle with my American family," Annie said, "he knows I'm adopted but am closer to you. He knows how crazy Jessica is. His sister was her roommate at dance camp a few years ago and Hannah didn't last long with Jessica."
"I'm glad he knows parts of your story," Teddy said.
"He's seen the scar and still flirts with me," Annie said.
"How did he see your scar," Teddy asked.
Annie shrugged, "rehearsing a lift sequence and I didn't think so just wore a tank top instead of a leotard."
"How did he see it under the tank top," Teddy asked. She wanted to know if there was something more physical going on.
"He was supposed to be holding my waist for an overhead lift and his hands got caught under my tank top. It was rehearsal and ⅔ of the girls were in booty shorts and sports bras he saw nothing he shouldn't have," Annie said.
"How do you know he saw," Teddy asked.
"It was right at eye level in the lift and he asked after rehearsal when he walked me to my building," Annie said, "I like spending time with him I feel safer then I did with David. I trust him. Is it wrong that I really want to kiss Kevin?"
Teddy laughed , "no it's a good thing. Have coffee with him, go on a date, make out."
"He's applying to grad school at Yale next year for his MBA," Annie said.
"Smart man," Teddy said.
"I like him more than I've liked a guy before," Annie said.
"Then get a coffee date away from the dance group and get to know him," Teddy said, "and tell me everything."
"I will," Annie said. Her phone buzzed on the counter , "Tuesday he wants to have lunch."
"Perfect," Teddy said, "we'll go find a cute new outfit."
"Okay," Annie smiled.
They had finished preparing the pies and slid them into the fridge before cleaning the kitchen.
"Don't stay up too late," Teddy said walking towards the bedroom she now shared with Henry.
"I'm going to go study in my room," Annie replied.
Teddy gave Annie a quick hug , "good night."
"Good night," Annie replied.
Teddy walked into her room and closed the door.
Thursday morning Teddy came out of her room to hear Annie arguing with someone over the phone.
Annie saw Teddy and stepped out onto the patio, "mom I told you weeks ago that I would be in Seattle this weekend."
Teddy stood by the sliding glass door and gave Annie a wave.
"No," Annie said, "I am here for american thanksgiving and will be going straight back to school on Sunday. I told you that I will not be participating in those sessions. I met with the psychologist at her program and they refused to listen to me. It was all about how we have to change to help Jessica. I will not give up on my dreams or change who I am to make her comfortable that wouldn't be good for anyone."
Teddy stepped out onto the patio, "give me the phone."
Annie shook her head, "Mom. I will meet about this when my opinion is valued and my goals matter."
Teddy glared and held her hand out.
Annie walked away, "I will be back at school on Sunday. We can have this discussion then. I told you what I need to be able to have that meeting. You are not respecting me. I have heard you and went to three of those meetings. I saw those doctors three times and each time I left feeling worse."
Teddy put her hand on Annie's shoulder, "phone now."
Annie handed Teddy her phone. Teddy snapped at Leslie, "you need to respect Annie's needs and wishes. She held up her end of the bargain and attended not just one but three meetings with those doctors. I know that she had nightmares after each of those meetings because she called me crying at 2am. Annie did what was asked of her and was completely honest with Jessica's team."
Annie sat on the chair with her head in her hands.
Teddy continued, "this is not the weekend to do this. She's here to celebrate thanksgiving with my family. Annie did what was asked of her. It's Jessica's turn to step up. I know she gets out of that program before Christmas and I hope that major changes have been made."
Teddy handed the phone back to Annie.
Annie spoke, "mom I get it that we need to help her. However I am going to make sure I am safe and healthy. For now participating in that will not help me be healthy. I will try again when I am ready. It's a one day not a no."
Annie listened before responding, "bye I love you two."
"That was a wake up call," Teddy said.
Annie rolled her eyes, "you have no idea."
"Let's make breakfast," Teddy said.
"Sleepy head isn't up yet," Annie asked.
"He's up," Teddy said, "he was showering when I came out."
"Can we not talk about it," Annie said, " I dealt with the Jessie meetings for now. I did what I was asked and it doesn't work for me. We're going to have a good weekend."
"We can for now," Teddy replied.
"How much does Henry know," Annie asked.
"Lots of it," Teddy replied, "what the injury was, how it happened and that you feel safest here."
"He doesn't mind," Annie asked.
"He knows you come first," Teddy said, "we may be married but it's still a new relationship."
Annie and Teddy walked inside and found Henry was already making breakfast.
"Do either of you ever sleep," Henry asked.
"Overrated," Annie said.
"Go shower kiddo while your mama and I make breakfast," Henry said.
"I'm going," said Annie.
Annie grabbed her outfit to go to Evelyn's from her room and went into her bathroom.
Henry wrapped his arms around Teddy's waist, "now I can kiss my wife good morning."
Teddy turned her head and kissed Henry, "good morning."
"I'm not used to having your daughter home," Henry whispered.
"She goes back to school Sunday," Teddy said, "you can be good for a few days."
"What about Christmas break," Henry asked.
"She'll be home most of it," Teddy said, "we'll spend Christmas eve and Christmas Day with the Annie."
"Am I included," Henry asked.
"I'll mention it to Leslie," Teddy said.
That afternoon they drove to Evelyn's.
Annie bounced up the porch steps and knocked on the door,
Evelyn greeted her with a hug, "our Annie has her bounce back. How's school?"
"It's great," Annie replied.
"Annie it's been too long," Owen greeted.
"Uncle Owen," Annie said, giving him a hug.
"Thing one is back," Christina called, "joining us for rounds tomorrow?"
"Of course," Annie said, "can I scrub in?"
"We'll find something," Teddy laughed, "I have your otter cap in my locker. I had to wear it last week when the laundry got backed up at the hospital and I had no clean ones."
"Is there a picture," Annie asked.
"No," Teddy said, "it was an emergency CABG and I just grabbed your cap and ran."
"I laughed at her," Christina said, "your otters are more ridiculous than the birds."
"She called me Annie," Teddy laughed.
Annie giggled.
Henry took a seat with Owen to watch a football game. Annie followed Teddy and Evelyn into the kitchen. Christina reluctantly joined them.
"What can I help with," Annie asked.
"Can you peel the sweet potatoes and slice them," Evelyn asked.
"Where's your peeler," Annie asked
Evelyn handed Annie the bag of sweet potatoes , a peeler and the knife.
As they all cooked Teddy started laughing.
"What's funny," Evelyn asked.
"Annie is better at this than Christina," Teddy said.
"My mom didn't cook," Christina said, "that's why we have take out."
"Christina one day you need to learn," Evelyn said.
"My skills are limited but I can at least do Thanksgiving dinner," Teddy said.
Christina asked, "any new boys since you dumped David?"
Owen came in at that moment," David's gone I never liked that kid."
"We broke up before my birthday," Annie said, "there is a cute guy on the dance team."
"Name ," Christina asked.
"Kevin," Annie replied, "we're having lunch on Tuesday."
"That's all I know," Teddy said.
They finished getting everything in the oven. Teddy and Christina joined the guys on the couch while Annie helped Evelyn to set the table.
"Thanks for being such a big help Annie," Evelyn said.
"I like helping," Annie said.
"I'm guessing you were your mom's right hand for events," Evelyn said.
"I was," Annie replied, "Chris helped cook sometimes but Jessie is useless."
"I liked Chris when he was visiting this summer," Evelyn said.
"I miss him," Annie said.
"Who's older," Evelyn asked.
"I am," Annie replied, "we're 11 months appart."
"Are you close," Evelyn asked.
"We are," Annie said, "we usually talk Friday's after I finish my classes."
"My kids used to talk once a week when they were away at school," Evelyn said, "hold on to your brother."
"I will," Annie replied.
"Go call everyone for dinner," Evelyn said.
Annie went to the living room and called everyone to the table.
They gathered around the table. For the first time in many years Teddy remembered what it was like to have a family. Her surrogate mom, best friend, husband, daughter and a new friend. This was an odd family but listening to the cheerful chatter around the table and the laughter Teddy knew this was home and her family. They fit together. Owen grinned at Teddy across the table and nodded towards Annie, Teddy returned the smile.
This was the happiest Owen thinks he's ever seen Teddy, with her husband and daughter. It was an unconventional grouping, not what he ever would have predicted for his best friend but right now he knew she was happy.