This is just a couple weeks after Owen went to Germany.
Teddy walked into the auditorium where Annie's graduation was being held. She saw Nathan standing nearby.
"Riggs," Teddy called.
"Teddy," Nathan replied, "it sounds like we might be seeing a lot of each other."
"What do you mean," Teddy asked.
"Josh and Annie," Nathan said, "I saw them in January and had questions about the relationship but this is good."
Teddy agreed, "it is. They know each other well."
Nathan said, "there was an almost kiss in the ER at GS back in January."
Teddy laughed, "I heard about that. Apparently Owen was standing right there."
Nathan said, "is Hunt joining us? I know him and Annie are close."
Teddy shook her head, "Annie was holding her other two tickets for the parents who adopted her. They bailed on her about three weeks ago and she returned the tickets."
"Other two," Nathan asked, "shouldn't she have had three more it's only you here."
"Annie's adopted brother," Teddy said, "Chris will be here any second. He won't miss this."
"Hello mam," Chris greeted.
Teddy hugged Chris, "family time Chris. It's good to see you."
"Hi Auntie Teddy," Chris replied.
"That's better," Teddy smiled, "Corporal Christopher McKellar, this is Dr. Nathan Riggs. He and I worked together in Iraq."
"It's good to meet you sir," Chris greeted.
"Not a sir," Nathan said, " I was never actually military, just a contracted doctor. Call me Nathan."
"Chris," replied Chris, "I'm Annie's brother."
"You flew in from where is it, Clover something for this," Nathan asked.
"We grew up in Cloverdale but I'm stationed in Edmonton now," Chris replied, "are you here to see Annie graduate as well?"
"My nephew Josh graduates today," Nathan said, "I saw Teddy and we go way back so it's someone to sit with."
"Like Annie's boyfriend Josh," Chris asked.
"Yes," Teddy replied, "have you met Josh?"
"In January when they we're doing that course in Seattle just for a few minutes. I was picking Annie up from the hospital and he walked outside with her," Chris said, "Annie had a day off so we spent a day exploring Seattle."
"Josh would be protective of her," Teddy said, "he knows her story. He's one of the few people she lets call her Annie."
"Is Annie a clue," Nathan asked.
"It is people she knew before Med school still use Annie and after use Grace," Teddy said, "she said she put her full name in for her Diploma."
"Grace Annabeth," Chris asked.
"Yes and she'll be one of the first to walk and Josh is at the end," Teddy replied.
"Grace is her professional name," Nathan said.
"Sort of," Teddy said, "she changed it legally 3 years ago for a few reasons. But let's find seats before they're all gone."
Teddy lead the way into the auditorium and found three seats together. She sat quietly listening to Chris and Nathan chat while she thought back to four years before watching Annie finish her undergrad. Four years ago she had sat at UBC with Leslie, Dan and Owen. They had a party that weekend at her house with Henry and all of the Seattle Grace Mercy West people. She hadn't pushed Owen away then and he was with Christina but he had come for her and her daughter. Owen had always come for them. She knew she should at least text him but was nervous two after what had happened three weeks before. She regretted throwing him out now she needed to figure out how to reach out to him. She loved him and wanted to be with him but her contact had been extended an extra three months because they hadn't found her replacement. She needed to tell him she loved him and was starting to job search near Seattle.
The ceremony started with all the traditional elements. Teddy had tears in her eyes when they asked the new doctors in the room and any other doctors in the audience to stand while the new doctors took the physicians oath. Teddy and Nathan gave each other a quick smile before standing and joining in with the oath. To Teddy that was the moment Annie became a doctor. They began to call the graduates one by one. Annie was the fourth across the stage. Hearing "Dr Grace Annabeth Altman" Teddy began to cry. This was it her baby girl was a doctor the last four years had been tough but she did it.
"Are you okay," Chris whispered.
Teddy nodded, "just really proud of her."
Chris replied, "I am two she deserves this."
Teddy agreed, "she's worked hard for this. It's something you have to have gone through to understand. She's ready for this. I'm happy for her."
After the ceremony Annie and Josh walked hand in hand to meet their family members.
"Mama I did it," Annie called.
Teddy hugged her, "congratulations sweetheart."
"I need a picture of dr Altman and dr Altman," Nathan said.
Teddy passed her phone to Nathan, "use my phone."
They took a few pictures of Annie and Teddy with Chris in a few as well.
Teddy laughed, "time for the team of dr Riggs and dr Riggs."
More photos were taken of Josh and Nathan then of the whole group and Annie and Josh with their friends.
Teddy texted a few of her favorite pictures to Owen. She still hadn't talked to him about what had happened at her place. She hadn't told anyone. she could tell Arizona but Arizona still worked with Owen. She was scared to lose her best friend so she was hiding. But Annie's graduation pictures were a good first step. he would want to know she had graduated . In a sense it was her way of opening the conversation and letting Owen back in. He had said in his voice mail that he would wait for her; he wasn't going to push her. This was Teddy reaching out.
While Annie was returning her graduation gown Chris sent Leslie and Dan a few photos he doubted they would reply. They never did if it was about anything him or Annie had accomplished. They were so wrapped up in what Jessica couldn't do they didn't see what Annie and Chris had accomplished.
They made plans to all meet up for dinner in a few hours. Chris went back to Annie's apartment having flown in the same day.
"Chris is going to go relax," Annie said, "do you want to go for a walk mama?"
Teddy nodded, "show me your favorite walk."
Annie, "I want to change to jeans and flats first."
Teddy replied, "let's go back to your place we'll both change. I'm not a fan of walks in heels."
Annie replied, "Chris has my keys but it's only a 10 min walk from here."
Teddy asked, "you gave your brother your keys?"
Annie replied, "I did. He wanted to do a couple things and needed the car. He always uses my car when he comes."
Teddy replied, "I have the rental I'm parked over here."
Annie followed Teddy to the car and they drove back to Annie's. Luckily she had taken the extra house key with her so she could get in.
As they were walking Teddy asked, "what would you think of me coming back to Seattle?"
Annie replied, "it's time for both of us to go home. Why now though?"
Teddy said, "my contact is up soon and I don't want another military one. I want to teach and research."
"Where would you apply," Annie asked.
"Seattle Pres, Pac North, Tacoma, county," Teddy replied.
Annie looked shocked, "not Grey Sloan?"
Teddy shook her head, "you need to be there to learn and push yourself. You'll be in my shadow there I don't want to do that to you."
Annie looked sad, "I always wanted you to teach me for cardio. I want you to come. Uncle Owen will two. I sent him a few of the pictures from today."
"Nathan is going to teach you and Maggie Pierce," Teddy said, "it's better for you in the long run. I would love to teach you but it's not a good idea for fellowships. I can't be your reference. And I had a bit of a disagreement with Owen."
Annie looked shocked, "you and Owen never fight. What about?"
Teddy gulped, "he came to see me. Just showed up the day of your last class."
Annie asked, "he just showed up at your door without calling? Was he on something?"
Teddy shook her head, "it was out of character for sure. He wanted to talk. About him and I."
Annie asked, "did he finally confess his undying love for you?"
Teddy nodded, "came and spent some time with me. He said he loves me and wants to be with me but I don't trust him."
Annie asked, "why?"
Teddy said, "only one person I've loved hasn't left me. I'll lose him two. I can't trust him with his grand gestures and sweet words. It's not real, that's not real life."
Annie rolled her eyes, "you've loved him for years mama. Just go for it."
Teddy replied, "I haven't talked to him since. But I sent a couple of your grad photos today. I thought he would want to see. Evelyn got them as well."
"You're using me as a buffer," Annie asked.
Teddy nodded, "I used you to open the conversation. Evelyn is the buffer."
"Just talk to him," Annie said, "he flew to Germany to see you. That's not someone who isn't serious."
Teddy shook her head, "there's a lot of the story that you don't know and you don't need to know. Things that happened way before you were around. I'll talk to him when I'm ready."
Annie replied, "as long as it's before I get back to Seattle."
Teddy nodded, "I'll try. You can't rush this. So how are things with josh?"
Annie smiled, "Josh is great. Things have changed but they haven't at the same time."
Teddy asked, "what's changed?"
Annie smiled, "we cuddle and kiss. But he's still my best friend. He's still the person I want to tell everything to. I don't know why I waited so long. We still study together and go for our runs or walks."
Teddy asked, "how will this work in Seattle?"
"He's staying with Nathan until he finds a place," Annie explained, "I'm going home and will look for a roommate. I don't want to rush this. The relationship is still new."
Teddy asked, "is that what you want?"
Annie replied, "it's what I need. I need to take this slow. We've talked about it and he's happy to wait. I want to but I haven't been with anyone since Kevin so I need to deal with something first. I'm not risking having a baby now. There's too much at stake."
"Good idea. But deal with it soon before there's a reason to worry," Teddy said. She thought. When was the last time she had been on birth control? There was no one that serious in her life and after Henry she hadn't wanted random flings anymore. She realized not only had she had sex with Owen multiple times but they were completely unprotected. Teddy thought that her age would act as natural birth control. She was 45 it wasn't possible was it? She pushed the idea to the back of her mind. If it wasn't possible a few years ago it couldn't happen now.
They found a park bench and sat down.
"Where have the last six years gone," Teddy asked.
"I don't know," Annie said, "the first time we met I was so scared. I didn't know if you actually wanted to be there or not. Then Christina kept pointing at us."
Teddy added, "I didn't know what to talk to you about so I corrected your anatomy homework."
Annie laughed, "I thought you were trying to help me."
Teddy shook her head, "I was nervous. I must have changed five or six times first. I did date makeup for that."
Annie said, "there's no way you were nervous. I almost had a panic attack walking to the library that day."
Teddy said, "I was right behind you on the path. I thought it was you but didn't want to scare you. That first few months I let you take the lead. I didn't want to scare you away. I never pictured this though. I thought I would see you a few times and you would go back to just emails."
"I didn't realize then that you were always on my side and cared. I wish I had known that as a kid that you loved me and wanted me. You've never questioned who I am or what matters to me. You just accept me. When I first emailed I didn't expect a reply from you," Annie said.
"Sweetheart I spent 19 years praying for that email to come. It was never a question of if I wanted to know you. If I did it again I would have pushed for a more open adoption. Let you reach out to me when you were ready not on an arbitrary date where we assumed you were old enough," Teddy said, "we've come along way in the last six years."
Annie nodded, "we've done a lot and made a lot of changes and some big moves."
Teddy asked, "are you okay with how things worked out?"
Annie thought before answering, "having you everyday yes. Knowing I can count on you and that you'll cheer me on no matter where you are. But as much as I love you there are still days I miss mom and dad."
Teddy replied, "they'll always be a big part of who you are. I was disappointed they couldn't make today work. I know I only get 4 days for this but I would have flown in to see the ceremony and flown back out tonight if that's what I had to do."
Annie said, "I feel like I've lost a lot of people by coming here. I've gained very special people but I've lost more."
"We've had a few big losses," Teddy agreed, "but you made it. This was all you."
"I wish mom and dad cared," Annie said, "I texted them so many times and called to invite and they never even tried. They don't consider it."
"What do you want to do," Teddy asked.
"I want to keep trying," Annie said, "maybe one day they'll love me again."
"Its your choice," Teddy said, " I may not agree with you but I'm always on your side."
"I know," Annie said, "even when I barely knew you. You came with no warning to make sure I was okay."
"The summer you were 19," Teddy said, "that was the first time I felt like your mom. You were still so weak but Chris wanted to surprise you with your dog."
"Chris and Owen hid in the garden with Molly and you made me ride in a wheelchair outside," Annie said.
"I was also thinking of the day we drove from the hospital to the house in Seattle," Teddy said.
"What happened," Annie said, "I remember going to the border then I fell asleep in the back seat of Owen's truck."
"You did," Teddy said, "I saw that you were asleep and turned the music down. I told Owen it felt like I was taking my baby home from the hospital. You were so hurt and so weak. I just wanted to protect you. He teased me that I had gone soft. That we had."
"You're only soft with me," Annie said.
"That could be it," Teddy said, "I play a part at work being strict and commanding. It carries over into the rest of my life. But you don't need that. It's time for you to learn to take charge and be assertive. You won't learn if I'm hovering."
"Thank you for putting me back together every time I fell apart," Annie said.
"I will always be there," Teddy said, "but we should be getting back. It's almost time to get ready for dinner."
"We've had some good times two," Annie said, "remember our snowball fight our last winter in Seattle."
"That was fun," Teddy said, "you hid behind a sled so we couldn't hit you with snowballs."
"Then Chris dragged me out from behind it while Henry stole the sled," Annie laughed.
"Do you remember the ski day," Teddy said, "you took that huge drop without stopping."
"I used to love the big drops," Annie said, "I haven't skied since then."
"Go this winter," Teddy said, "I think your ski gear is still at Evelyns. I took it there when I moved to Germany."
"I'll ask her when I get back to Seattle," Annie said.
"When it snows," Teddy said.
They chatted about Annie's plans for the move and confirmed that the house was being painted and the colours Annie had chosen. Teddy had hired painters to make sure it was fresh and ready for Annie's return. The house hadn't been painted since Teddy and Annie redecorated when Annie was 19.
"How dressy is tonight," Annie asked.
"Cute dress and heels," Teddy suggested.
"Are you okay with us going with Josh and Nathan," Annie asked.
"I'm happy to celebrate with the two of you," Teddy smiled, " I think you and Josh are a good fit. I don't know why this didn't happen years ago."
"I was scared," Annie said, "then he showed up with blue and purple gerber daisies. We were dancing and a slower song came on and out of nowhere he kissed me. It was the best kiss I've ever had."
"Are you happy," Teddy asked.
"I am," Annie said as they walked into her apartment building.
They got ready for dinner, Chris joined them for the evening. After dinner they all went back to Annie's for a toast and desert. They all enjoyed a champagne and a couple glasses of wine.
After the guests left Annie and Josh curled up on the couch. Stephanie came in with her parents so Annie whispered, "why don't we watch a movie in my room."
"Sounds good to me," Josh said.
"Do you care if I change into leggings," Annie asked.
"Be comfortable babe," Josh said, "I love the dress though."
"Can you help me with the zipper," Annie asked.
"Of course," Josh said, he stood behind her and unzipped the back of her dress. He was surprised to see the red bra under the blue dress.
"I'll be right back," Annie said grabbing leggings and a tank top from her dresser.
Josh grabbed Annie's laptop and opened netflix, they had done this before propped her computer on the nightstand and cuddled to watch a movie in bed. He always slipped out of bed when she fell asleep, to avoid the temptation. He wanted more but knew why she was waiting and he respected that.
"I love you," Annie whispered as the movie finished.
"I love you two," Josh replied, giving her a kiss.
"You don't have to go," Annie said, "stay with me tonight."
"Are you sure," Josh asked, "I don't want to push you."
"Please stay with me," Annie said, "I want to fall asleep with you and wake up with you in the morning. Just cuddle."
"How about kisses," Josh asked hopefully.
"Some of those," Annie giggled.
"Like this," Josh asked, kissing her.
"Just like that," Annie said, returning the kiss.
After Josh left in the morning Annie and Stephanie began to sort through the stuff that had collected in their apartment for the last three years. They both had afternoon plans with family but needed to start organizing who would be taking stuff
"Was that Josh in your room last night," Stephanie asked.
"It was," Annie said.
"So you and Josh," Stephanie asked.
"We're a couple," Annie said, "but we haven't gone there yet. Last night got really close but not yet. It just felt right with him."
"You love him," Stephanie said.
"I have for years," Annie said, "I'm glad we're going to Grey Sloan together. He's living with his uncle and I'm on my own for now so he'll be able to sleep over as much as we want to."