It was mid August and Annie was getting ready to move to Boston. She was in her room sorting through clothing when Jessica came downstairs. Annie was putting most of her fall and winter things into bins and leaving summer clothes in the drawers.
"You don't have to go," Jessica said.
Annie replied, "I'm excited. I want to go."
"You're turning into Teddy," Jessica said.
"You never gave mama a chance," Annie said, "she's coming up tomorrow night, get to know her."
"I don't want to," Jessica said, "you shouldn't have either. She didn't want you."
"Jessie her and I have talked a lot about it. Mama was my age doing the exact same thing I am now when I was born," Annie said, "could you see me being able to take care of a baby and go to Boston."
"She chose being a dr over you," Jessica said.
"She chose for me to have two parents who wanted and were ready for a baby," Annie said, "my bio dad didn't want me. He walked away and never told his family I existed. Mama made the choice she did so that I could have two parents that wanted and loved me. She did what she did 21 years ago out of love."
"Why isn't UBC good enough anymore," Jessica pressed.
"UBC was my backup school," Annie said, "I didn't realize that American schools were even an option that I could use having dual citizenship. I thought I only had one choice because of the rules in Canada, I always wanted ivy league but thought it was a pipe dream and I never thought I had a shot. Mama pushed me to apply beyond UBC to give myself choices."
"Let me guess that's where she went," Jessica said.
"No, she went to the University of Texas South Western," Annie replied, "Uncle Owen went to Harvard."
"Did you apply with her last name," Jessica sneered.
"Nope," Annie said, "I applied as Annabeth McKellar. And she wasn't a reference, I had Dr. Milner, Dr. Webber, Dr. Robbins and Uncle Owen."
"They see you and will know she's your mom," Jessica said.
"I know," Annie replied, "it's nice to know who I look like and where I come from."
"So you'll just breeze through medical school. You never work for anything Annie. People feel bad for little orphan Annie so they let you do and have whatever you want," Jessica hissed.
Annie replied, " that is your opinion. I have lived at UBC and done all my school work there for the last three years, you only see me when I have time off. You're not at work with me or in the studio with me. You only see what you want to see. Open your eyes Jessica and look at what others are doing."
"I don't get why Teddy had to move you to Seattle last summer," Jessica snapped, "and Chris spent his whole leave there."
"Mama , mom and dad agreed that I needed my own space after the incident, " Annie said, "plus I couldn't do the stairs and was in a lot of pain after my surgery. Mama's is only one floor. The cottage is beautiful and cozy. But it's taken me a year to forgive you. I don't want to talk about it."
"You weren't that hurt," Jessica snapped, "you blew it out of proportion to get attention and get me in trouble."
Annie took a deep breath, " Jessica I am not having this conversation right now. You know I lost half of my liver."
"Livers regrow your fine," Jessica shouted.
"They also gave me 10 units of blood which is basically replacing all of the blood in my body," Annie said.
"Catherine was a wuss to call an ambulance. She should have just driven you to a clinic," Jessica shouted.
"She saved my life by doing that and we are done with this conversation. I have packing to do so you can leave my room," Annie said firmly.
"I'm not going anywhere until you decide to stay," Jessica shouted. She started taking clothes out of bins.
"I leave in a week," Annie said, " I need these bins ready for tomorrow so mama can pack them in Henry's truck for the drive."
"If you go you won't have a family to come back to," Jessica screamed, "you need to choose now if you want to be part of this family or not."
Annie was close to losing it, she shouted , "you do not make that decision Jessica. Mom and dad do."
"You go for a few months and they'll forget about you," Jessica shouted, "they almost did last summer. I was so close to getting rid of you. If you go to Boston you can never come back."
Annie screamed, "get out of my room."
Jessica shoved Annie against the wall, "make me."
Annie ducked down and around Jessica she ran for the stairs. Annie was more agile but Jessica was faster. Jessica grabbed the hem of Annie's sundress as she ran up the stairs and pulled hard. Annie fell on the stairs. Jessica ran past Annie while Annie tried to get up. As Annie got up Jessica kicked her in the stomach causing her to fall to her knees again.
When she got her breath back Annie screamed, "mom!"
No one answered, "dad" Annie screamed.
Annie ran down the basement stairs knowing Jessica had gone upstairs. At the bottom she locked the door.
Annie texted all three parents "Jessie came into my room yelling and threatening me. Kicked me in the chest, it's hard to breathe."
Teddy replied, "get out and go to the nearest hospital. I'll head up now you need your ribs x rayed."
Leslie replied, "dad is next door helping fix their hot water tank. Call Krissy and tell her you need dad."
Teddy added, "go out the back door. Make sure you have your insurance card. Henry and I are just putting bags in the car."
Leslie, "is this an injury or a panic attack."
"Injuries," Annie said, "big red mark on my stomach near my scar and a line on my ribs where I hit the stairs."
Leslie, "just leaving grandmas will meet you and dad at the hospital."
Teddy typed, "send me pictures of the marks."
Annie took off her sun dress and pulled on gym shorts before she took pictures in her bathroom mirror of the red marks and sent them just to Teddy.
Teddy responded , "X-ray of the ribs and ask them to check your abdomen. Tell them what happened last summer that trauma is an important part of your medical history."
Annie replied, "I will."
Dan pounded on the door, "Annie lets go. Fast tell me what happened in the car."
"Need a shirt," Annie said.
"Fast," Dan called.
Annie grabbed a tank top and winced as she slipped it on.
I'm the truck Dan asked, "what happened?"
Annie repeated the conversation and that when she tried to leave after Jessica wouldn't drop it Jessica pulled her back by her dress so she fell on the stairs hitting her ribs against the step. Then when she tried to stand up Jessie had kicked her in the stomach knocking the wind out of her.
"Dad , mama says we need xrays," Annie said.
Annie's phone went, "mama, I'm scared."
Teddy replied, "I know sweetheart. You're with your dad, you're okay. Which hospital are we meeting you at?"
Henry called, "Annie you're okay. I'm driving up with your mama see you soon."
"We're going to Surrey Memorial," Annie said.
"Same as last summer," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Annie said.
When she hung up with Teddy Annie began to cry.
Annie turned to Dan, "dad if I go to Boston will I still be allowed to come home?"
Dan looked shocked, "why would you question that. You can always come home. Mom and I will always want you to come home."
"Jessica said that if I went I wouldn't have a home to come back to," Annie said, "I need to choose between school or my family."
"Annie your sister does not make that decision," Dan said, "she was angry that mom and I are flying to Boston without her and she's jealous that you're going to a new city."
"Why is she always mad at me," Annie asked.
"Jessica is unhappy with herself," Dan said, "she sees you and Chris doing things that she will never be able to do. Jessica is so unable to control her own actions or own her actions that she will never be able to live on her own. She will live with mom and I for the rest of her life."
"But that means I'll never be safe at home," Annie said.
"You will always be welcome at home," Dan said, "you have to stop worrying about Jessica and what she says. Annie you have to live for you. Not what makes me, or mom, or mama or Chris or Jessica happy. It's time you do what makes you happy. Annie, you have a fresh start in a new city. You're going to take it and be happy. You're going to go and learn and have fun and grow. You get to be whoever you want you to be. And mom and I will be here cheering you on. Have I ever told you about the day we first met you?"
"Only mama has told me about the day I was born," Annie said.
"It's time you know all three sides of the story," Dan said, "when we got the call from Teddy's mom that you had arrived and to come get our baby girl we were overjoyed. I didn't know what to do. When we got to the hospital the nurse led us to the room where you were waiting with Teddy. You were all wrapped up in a pink blanket with a little pink hat. When we came in Teddy gave you a kiss and whispered goodbye baby Grace against your head. Then Teddy put you in moms arms. We thanked her and gave Teddy a hug and walked out. It was confusing, part of me was excited to finally have our baby girl but at the same time we were walking away with someone else's baby. It was the most incredible gift but Teddy looked so sad to see you go."
"Is that why you gave me the middle name Grace," Annie asked, "because Teddy called me baby Grace?"
Dan answered, "we did. We thought it was important to give you that connection to her."
They pulled into the emergency room parking lot and went inside. At the desk Annie told the triage nurse what happened and stressed that she had been through major trauma in the same area a year earlier. Annie followed the script that Teddy had given her and was sent to have a seat in the waiting room.
Three hours later Annie and Dan were still in the waiting area with Annie dozing off against Dan's shoulder when Teddy and Henry came in.
"Have you seen anyone yet," Teddy asked.
"Just the triage nurse," Dan replied.
Teddy crouched in front of Annie's chair and put her hand on Annie's knee, "Annie, it's mama we're going to get this moving so a dr can take a look come on."
"Mama," Annie said sitting up, "we've been waiting forever."
"I know," Teddy said, "let me see what's happening then I know what to tell the nurses to get it moving. Can I look sweetheart?"
Annie nodded. Teddy gently probed at Annie's ribs and abdomen , "Annie I need to see the marks can I look now?"
Again Annie nodded. Teddy lifted the hem of Annie's top and saw the bruise spreading across her lower stomach.
"Dan," Teddy commanded, "go get the nurse over here now. It looks like there could be some bleeding."
Dan spoke to the nurse who told him to wait their turn. Teddy strode over to the desk in full doctor mode, she began to detail her observations of Annie and what was happening. She demanded that Annie be taken to a bed right away and examined by a trauma surgeon.
A moment after Teddy sat down beside Annie they were called back, "Dan, Henry you need to stay here. I have this."
Dan looked at Teddy, "are you sure."
Teddy replied, "there's a lot going on back there, Annie will be examined and taken for scans quickly. I'll let you know if we need you or she asks for you."
Henry turned to Dan, "this is Teddy in over protective mode. She does it with me and she's 10x worse with Annie. Just let her go with it. Annie couldn't have anyone better with her. Teddy will fight for Annie."
A while later Teddy came out, "ultrasound was clear with no internal bleeding which is a relief. Annie is in xray now for her ribs. We have learned she bruises like a peach."
Dan let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, " how is she doing?"
"She's calmer now that she knows that surgery isn't likely," Teddy said, "if her xray is clear we can take her home with advil and send her for a hot bath."
"I'll call Leslie," Dan said, "she's descualting Jessica."
"Do you want to go home and deal with Jessica, get her under control and we can bring Annie home," Teddy offered.
"I'll see what Leslie says," Dan said, "I want to be here for Annie."
"Okay," Teddy replied, "I'll update you when I know more."
Teddy went back to where she would wait for Annie.
"I saw your dad," Teddy said, "he's going to wait here for you to be done."
"He doesn't have to stay. Mom will need help to get Jessica to calm down," Annie said.
"He said he's staying," Teddy said, "your mom can deal with your sister. What happened?"
"Jessie accused me of turning into you," Annie said.
"That's jealousy," Teddy said, "she doesn't want you to go to Boston does she."
"She said if I go I won't have a family to come back to," Annie confessed, "I'm scared."
Teddy replied, "your parents won't let that happen. Annie, they won't let Jessica control them and you know I'm always on your side."
"I know, dad said the same thing," Annie replied, "he also told me about the day I was born. They heard you call me baby Grace which is why they picked my middle name so I could have that connection to you."
"I wondered why they chose that for your middle name," Teddy said, "you were almost Grace Altman. But I can't picture you as anything other than Annie McKellar."
Dr. Smith entered the room, "Annie, Dr. Altman I didn't expect to see you back so soon. What happened?"
Annie told the doctor the story. Teddy went over the results from the ultrasound, she had watched the screen over the tech's shoulder.
"I have your xray results," Dr. Smith said, "and your mom already saw the ultrasound and I can confirm there's no bleeding. Your ribs are fine, you may be bruised for a while."
"Are we okay to go Dr. Smith," asked Teddy.
"You are," Dr. Smith replied, "advil or another NSAID if your in pain Annie. A hot bath may help with the soreness or stiffness."
"Thank you Dr. Smith," Annie said, "can I go home?"
"You can Annie," Dr. Smith said, "we have to stop meeting like this."
"We won't," Teddy said, "she's going to Harvard next week to start medical school."
"Congratulations Annie," Dr. Smith said, "next time I see you it will be Dr. McKellar."
"Thank you," Annie replied.
"Let's go sweetheart," Teddy said.
Annie slid off the bed and walked towards the door. Teddy followed her.
Dan asked, "what's wrong?"
"Bruising," Teddy replied, "she's fine. We over reacted after last time."
"Dad can we get blizzards on the way home," Annie asked.
"We can do ice cream," Dan said, "Teddy, Henry follow us?"
"I could do ice cream," Henry agreed.
"I'm in," Teddy replied.
"Let's go," Dan said.
As they reached their car Henry asked, "are we waiting for the sister to calm down?"
"I think so," Teddy said, "they fought about Annie leaving."
"I wish for Annie's sake that kid would stop," Henry said.
"So do I," Teddy said, "but Annie told Dan what happened today. She spoke up and told her dad, she asked her parents for help. Annie is using her voice. A year ago she couldn't do that. A year ago she let me and Owen speak for her. Annie stood up today. She's getting stronger."
"You're really going to miss her," Henry said.
"I will," Teddy said, "maybe not the surprise visits when she just walks in. I did 19 years without her. Now I can't picture not talking to her everyday."
Henry took Teddy's hand, "you'll still talk to her every day. She'll really need her mama now. You'll be the only person in her family that understands what she's doing. But I'll miss her two. I've gotten attached to our girl."
"Our," Teddy asked.
"Our," Henry said, "she is my step daughter. When you get paged over night and she's home we hang out and make waffles and play cards. She's an amazing kid. But I will not miss her just walking in when we're cuddled up watching a movie."
"She only interrupted things once," Teddy laughed, "she called after that."
"Will you still get the nightmare calls," asked Henry.
"I think so," Teddy replied, "We're staying at the house tonight. She'll probably have one and need me. Leslie and Dan still have a hard time with the nightmares."
Henry squeezed Teddy's hand, " we'll spend the night with them and make it a good one. Annie doesn't have many nights left here."
"I know she doesn't," Teddy said, " and her texts were so excited this morning. She skyped with both roommates. Amy is from Nashville and Stephanie is from Dallas."
"Our west coast girl with two girls from the country music home land," Henry laughed.
"Annie likes country music," Teddy said, "I think they're expecting a California beach girl not pacific northwest. "
"They think California sand, not starfish and sea otters," Henry said.
"Don't tell her about the starfish cap," Teddy said, "I'm going to slip it into her things when we help her unpack so she can find it once we're gone."
"The polkadot one," Henry asked.
"That she can have," Teddy replied, "are three caps enough for all the labs she needs them for?"
"She can do laundry," Henry pointed out.
"It's having enough time," Teddy said, "I sometimes went 2-3 weeks without time to do laundry in residency and med school."
"You hardly have time to do laundry now," Henry said, "I do most of our laundry."
"I know I'm at work way more than is fair to you," Teddy said.
"Honey don't worry about that," Henry said, " I know your patients need you. I miss you on nights you have to stay at the hospital but I know you'll always come home to me."
"I love you," Teddy said.
"I love you two," Henry said.
They got out of the car and walked to join Annie and Dan for ice cream.