Saturday afternoon Lelsie and Dan pulled up to the address Owen had given them.
Leslie turned to Dan, "are you sure it's the right place, it's a fire hall."
"It's the address he wrote down," Dan said.
"I guess we knock," Leslie said.
Dan rang the doorbell, they heard heavy footsteps running down the stairs.
Owen opened the door, "Dan, Leslie come on in."
"Thank you," Dan said.
"It's a nice place, how long have you lived here," Leslie asked.
"Almost a year," Owen said, "I'm enjoying restoring the old place and bringing back its original glory."
Leslie took in the high ceilings and bright light coming from the windows, "it's beautiful."
Owen led them to the guest room, "you're staying here. Is there anything that you need?"
"I think we're good," said Dan.
"Get settled in," Owen said, "I'll be in the living room when you're ready."
After a few minutes Leslie and Dan joined Owen in the living room. They chatted for a while until Chrisitna came in.
Christina called as she ran up the stairs, "Owen you missed it! Thing One scrubbed in with Teddy and I on a valve replacement and I rocked it. I did the whole procedure and even had Thing One understanding what was going on."
"Who is thing one," asked Leslie.
Owen laughed, "Christina gives nicknames to all of her interns and medical students. She chose a Dr. Seuss reference for Annie."
Dan laughed, "Annie is thing one?"
Christina came into the room, "your daughter is thing one. She's excellent for a first year med student. "
Leslie asked, "were Annie and Teddy at the hospital all day?"
Christina shook her head, "they just came in for an emergency valve replacement for a couple hours. They've been home for a few hours. I did all of the post ops without Teddy."
Owen said, "we have about an hour before we need to leave. Teddy wants us there first. Before the others get there."
"Do we need to bring anything," Leslie asked.
"Teddy said it was under control," Owen replied.
Just over an hour later Dan pulled his truck into Teddy's driveway. Pausing in the truck they took in the towering trees and could see the water between them. The little house was painted a soft buttery yellow with white trim and hydrangea and lilac bushes filled the front garden. The effect was cozy and welcoming, not what Leslie had expected.
Before they could knock on the door Annie opened it, "mom dad come in."
Teddy joined them in the entry, "how was the drive?"
"The drive was good," Dan replied.
Annie showed her parents around the main part of the house and her room. Knowing Teddy and Henry liked their space she left the door to the master bedroom closed.
"Teddy decorated a room just for you," Leslie asked.
"I picked the paint colour and bedding," Annie said , "last summer. She did the rest."
Leslie looked around Annie's room; the walls were a vibrant blue echoed in the blue and white striped bedding. From the window the ocean was visible through the trees. The white furniture contrasted with the dark wood floor. Leslie noted that Annie's bag was nowhere to be seen, she assumed that her clothes were in the dresser or closet. The tail of Annie's old stuffed otter could be seen shoved under her pillows, Leslie adjusted the pillows to cover it.
"How can we help," Leslie asked.
Teddy replied, "were just doing a simple backyard bbq. I was told we could only do this if it was very simple. We just need to cut up some vegetables for the salads and burgers. Henry might need help moving the bbq off the back porch onto the deck. And setting up the tables and chairs."
Annie hearing what needed to be done went to the fridge and got out the vegetables they had picked up earlier. She put them on the counter then plugged her phone into the dock on the counter choosing a playlist she thought her mom and mama would like.
Dan went outside to help Henry.
Leslie said, "give me a job."
"Can you roll all the plastic forks and knives in the napkins," asked Teddy.
"I can do that," Leslie replied. Annie passed her the basket of plastic utensils and the package of napkins.
Christina and Owen let themselves in the front door, Owen made his way outside and Christina joined them in the kitchen. After quick greetings the conversation turned to medicine and the surgery that they had done that morning. Leslie listened with a smile as Annie participated actively in the conversation with the two surgeons and asked for clarification when she was unsure of something. Teddy was an excellent teacher asking both Annie and Christina pointed questions to make them think. Christian also filled in some blanks for Annie when she got stuck. Leslie also noticed that when Annie was unsure of something, they gave her a clue or had her back up to the previous step.
When Annie took the plates outside Leslie said, " you're an excellent teacher."
Christina added, "Teddy is the best teacher I've ever had."
"I've been training new teachers," Leslie said, "and that was exactly what we're asking student teachers to do. Ask students questions and prompt them to build on their background knowledge. You've spent a lot of time working on that with Annie."
"Thank you," Teddy said, "I enjoy teaching her. She's curious and wants to know more. The only surgical area she doesn't seem to enjoy is plastics."
"Will doing this help her next year," Leslie asked.
"It should," Teddy said, "there's some things we've been doing that should help her be ready. Just like you taught her the ABC's and to count to 10 before kindergarten I've been working on basics with her like major organ systems. But we've really been working on the question and answer process used in med school and how to ask for clarification as well as basic patient care that she'll be expected to do in her first clinical rotation."
"Thank you," Leslie said, "I'm worried about her going to Boston."
"She'll have an adjustment," Teddy said, "and she'll be one of the youngest if not the youngest in her class."
"Will she be okay," Leslie asked.
Teddy smiled, "she will be. But it will be tough while she adjusts. It's a whole new way of learning and working. We'll get some crying phone calls and I used to call and beg my mom to come see me or bring me home. But I was also pregnant when I got there then had just said goodbye to Annie not knowing if I would ever see my baby again."
"I loved it," Chrsitina said "I was a bit older than Annie is but she will thrive. It's different then college and the pace is faster but she'll be with people like her."
"I worry about her anxiety and the adjustment," Leslie said.
"That's why one of us should go out there with her, help her move and settle in," Teddy said.
"I'll talk to Dan and see if we can go," Leslie said, "we'll have to figure out what to do with Jessica. Driving across the continent with both girls wouldn't go well."
"I have vacation days I haven't used," Teddy said, "we would be happy to go. Maybe we drive with Annie and help move her stuff and you or Dan fly out to Boston to meet us."
"We could probably go for a few days," Leslie said, "my mom or one of Dan's brothers can handle Jessie for a few days."
"I think Annie's anxiety will decrease once she settles in. She'll have her own space, she'll be doing something she's always wanted," Teddy said, "Annie is excited to go. She was bouncing down the hallways at the hospital this morning telling Miranda Bailey all about it and how excited she is. When she's here and away from her sister she's a lot more confident."
"But will she keep getting better," Leslie asked, "will she eat?"
"She eats when she's here," Teddy assured, "not eating is tied to her anxiety."
Chrsitina asked, "she doesn't eat?"
"Only when she's anxious," Teddy said, "her anxiety has been out of control for most of the last year."
"Is she okay," asked Chrsitina.
"She's doing a lot better," Teddy said, "but we're not going to talk about it infront of Annie."
"How do you know her better than I do in 2 years than I do in 20," asked Leslie.
"One on one time and she talks," Teddy said, "she's a lot like I was when I was younger."
"It's been hard with Jessie's diagnosis and the treatments that she needs to give Annie and Chris the attention they need," Leslie said, "Annie was so strong and hid it so well for so long that we didn't realize how much it was affecting her. And Chris left for the Air Force as soon as he could."
"She needs encouragement to let people see the parts of her she doesn't like," Teddy said, "Annie is a perfectionist. Which as a doctor will serve her well however it's not helping her as a person."
The doorbell rang and the conversation stopped.
April came in holding a container and a gift bag, "hi Teddy. Where's Annie?"
"Come on in April," Teddy greeted, "she's in the backyard."
Leslie stepped out of the kitchen , "I'm Leslie McKellar, Annie's mom."
"April Kepner," April said.
Leslie smiled at the red head, "Annie talks a lot about you. I think she looks up to you."
"Annie is great," April said, "I'm going to miss seeing her around the hospital the next few years."
Others began to arrive and join the group assembled in the backyard. Leslie and Dan were surprised by the number of people that showed up. Annie seemed to know all of them well and be very relaxed with the collection of surgeons. An older lady walked in and stopped to hug Teddy, Owen, Chrisitina and Annie.
Annie led her parents over, "mom, dad this is Evelyn Hunt. She's Uncle Owen's mom."
Evelyn shook their hands ," I've loved getting to know Annie when she comes down."
Leslie smiled, "she likes coming down. Sometimes I think she likes being here more than at home. "
"It's a change is she looking forward to next year," Evelyn asked.
"She is but I don't know if I like her being in Boston," Leslie said.
"I had both of mine there at the same time," Evelyn said, "it's a hard adjustment as a mom but we have to let them fly. Seeing my daughter go was harder than Owen. Even though she had her big brother there. Annie will be fine. She'll call home to talk to you and her day, she'll phone Teddy."
"Her siblings are a bit jealous," Leslie said.
"Meghan was jealous when Owen went before her and was always two years ahead of her," Evelyn said, "her siblings will catch up when they're ready."
"Meghan Hunt," Leslie asked, "like the name embroidered in the back of Annie's national vest? Annie mentioned something about her outfit being connected to Owens' family."
Evelyn nodded, "Meghan was my daughter. Owen, Teddy and I think it's a perfect fit that Annie has that costume now. Teddy is like a daughter to me, which makes Annie my granddaughter, they're an important part of my family."
"Thank you for looking out for them," Leslie said.
"Our whole family loves Annie," Evelyn said, "she's a sweet girl."
"Thank you," Leslie said, "we're very proud of her."
"You should be," Evelyn said, "I should go see how I can help Teddy."
Leslie saw Annie sitting in the grass talking with two young women, April who she had met earlier and a girl with long dark hair, she assumed was one of the Grey sisters who she hadn't been introduced to yet.
Dan was enjoying chatting with the guys Teddy worked with and had learned a lot about what Annie's next few years would be like.
After dinner and cupcakes Richard called for every one's attention.
"Can I get everyone's attention," Richard called.
The backyard fell silent.
Richard began, "in my role as chief of surgery I have had the opportunity to work with nearly every person here. This is our family. In the last year we have had a lot of hard moments, we've lost some of our own and we've also welcomed several. Two years ago when I hired Teddy, I was excited to hire a strong cardio attending and some one with incredible skills and character. I didn't expect and she didn't expect that we would also be watching her daughter follow in her footsteps. As a surgical family we have thoroughly enjoyed watching Annie learn over the last year and a bit. She first bounced in with Teddy a small whirlwind of energy that was eager to learn. She asked questions and took the time to learn from the residents, fellows and attendings. I have enjoyed having her in the OR with myself and Teddy. Our surgical family is sending this young lady off to medical school and we hope to see her again in 4 years as an intern. As you know our department has a scholarship to help the children of surgical staff attend medical school. We have not had the privilege of giving this out for many years, which means the scholarship fund is robust. As a department we are happy to present Miss Annie with the scholarship. The award will cover 75% of her tuition costs for the next four years at Harvard Medical School."
The yard filled with cheers and applause.
Teddy stood up, "while everyone is here and quiet I want to thank you all for coming tonight. When I first joined SGMW two years ago I had no idea that we would be here tonight. When I arrived I knew exactly one person on staff. I never expected to be accepted into a family like this. Then the first fall that I was here I got an email that I never thought I would receive. In my heart I had hoped and prayed that I would hear from my little girl but never thought I would. When Annie came into my life I never expected that all of you would not only accept me as one of you but you would bring her in as part of this group of people. I am so thankful for all of the time each of you has put into teaching her and building Annie up. But we wouldn't be doing this without the love and care shown by Leslie and Dan who adopted her as a newborn. Without her parents Annie would not be the wonderful young lady she is today. We're very proud of how hard Annie has worked in the last couple of years. I never thought I would say this but I will miss her when she goes to Boston, and miss her random Friday afterschool appearances in my kitchen. I'm also going to miss her scrubbing in with me and watching her learn and take her first steps in medicine with me in my OR. Thank you to everyone for coming today and celebrating with us. Congratulations Annie!"
Dan decided to speak as well, " I'm Dan McKellar, Annie's dad. Seeing how many people have made the time today to come and celebrate amazed both Leslie and I. We are both moved by the care shown to Annie over the past year. We've heard about all of you and how much you have been teaching and sharing with Annie. We just wanted to thank everyone for all of their support and encouragement of Annie."
Annie also took her turn to thank everyone, "I've never done this before so please be patient with me. I'd like to echo both Mama and Dad in thanking everyone for coming tonight. I'm also very grateful to have been chosen to receive the scholarship this year. Over the last year I've really enjoyed joining all of you at the hospital and learning from everyone. When I first reached out to mama I thought we would maybe send a few emails or talk on the phone. I never expected to find another family. Thank you everyone for coming out and celebrating with me today."
After the toast someone turned on the music and people began dancing in the backyard, at some point all of the women's sandals and heels were kicked off and they were all barefoot.
After a while of dancing and drinking, April shouted, "we brought presents. Annie should open them."
Annie looked at Teddy who nodded. Teddy wondered what was in Annie's red solo cup. Annie had been dancing with Christina, Lexi, Meredith and April. She wondered which one of them might have put a shot of something in Annie's cup, she thought they knew that Annie was still 20. At least Christina knew when Annie's birthday was. Annie looked like she was having fun though. She wasn't out of control or drunk but she was relaxed and having fun. Teddy knew she couldn't say anything as she had drunk most of a bottle of wine.
Leslie helped Teddy move the gifts to the back yard and Annie found a seat beside the table. The Seattle family was thoughtful and had chosen items that Annie would need to survive medical school and make her adjustment easier.