The intern locker room was buzzing Monday morning with news of the new cardio attending.
"I heard she's just left the army," one man said.
"She's going to be tougher than Bailey," said another man.
"Gave up some high powered role for her boyfriend I heard," scoffed a woman.
"I heard she's Hunt's girlfriend," said another woman.
Annie was facing away from the group to change into her scrubs. She rolled her eyes at Josh who smirked. Jenna came over to join them.
"Are they talking about Grace's mom," Jenna whispered.
Annie nodded.
"I heard she trained Christina Yang and is here to make another Dr Yang. She's already picked a few interns to work with her," said the first man.
"I heard she's related to one of us," said the woman.
"Did anyone get the new attending's name," asked a tall man.
"I think I saw her with Hunt. There was a woman with him I didn't recognize and he used a nickname for her," a woman said, "he was calling her something weird like Teddy or Teddy Bear. Tall, blonde, curly hair. They were flirting. Hunt was smiling."
"Was that who was holding hands with Hunt this morning," the first woman said, "she kind of looks like Grace Altman."
Annie still facing Josh rolled her eyes and groaned. She walked out of the locker room to start rounds on her patients. People kept gossiping.
"Grace," the first woman called, "do you know anything about the new attending? She looks like you."
Duncan said, "Altman already started rounds Riggs and Silverstone went with her."
"Josh and Grace do everything together. It's like they share a brain," the first man said.
"His uncle is one of the cardio attendings and he's hard on them," Duncan said.
"Jones you hang out with them and she's Hunts favorite intern do you know anything," a woman asked.
"Nothing really. Her mother is in town but that's it," Duncan said. He walked out to find the rest of his group and Jo Wilson.
Josh and Annie were laughing as they walked down the hall.
"Mama is causing a commotion this morning," Annie said.
Duncan asked, "do you guys know something?"
"My mama is the new cardio attending," Annie said.
"Major Altman is the new cardio attending," Duncan asked.
Annie nodded.
Jenna asked, "why didn't you say something?"
"I hate the attention," Annie said, " it was better to escape and get to work."
Josh shook his head, "don't ask. Annie hates being the center of attention."
"What's with Annie," Jenna asked, "Josh calls you Annie, so did your mom and Hunt the other night."
"My middle name is Annabeth," Annie said, "Annie was my nickname as a kid. It's just stuck with family. At work I'm Grace."
"Is her name really Teddy," asked Duncan.
"Theodora which she hates," Annie said, "I use it to bug her though. And before you ask her and Uncle Owen are finally together. It's taken them long enough."
"Uncle Owen," Jenna said looking confused.
"Owen Hunt," Annie explained, "has been her best friend forever. He's the closest thing we have to family other than each other. That's why I went with Owen last week on that rescue mission . It was his sister Meghan we picked up and brought back. Last time I let a patient hug me."
"Lieutenant Meghan Hunt," asked Duncan, "I heard about her. Captured and held for like 11 years. Some of my buddies who are still in the army told me she was found."
"Yes," Annie said, "she's the VIP patient. A little intimidating and asks very personal questions. She was really close to mama. You want Meghan duty today?"
Meeting up with Jo they got their directions for the day, "we're with Pierce today. I'm trying to find out more about the new cardio attending. It's another Dr. Altman I know nothing about her google isn't very helpful all I learned is she's spent a lot of time with the army. Does anyone know what she looks like."
Annie and Josh raised their hands.
"Grace, she's related to you somehow," guessed Jo.
"My mother," Annie.
"What," Jo asked, "I saw her with the VIP patient. I didn't know she was a doctor. I thought they were best friends or sisters."
Annie shrugged, "she's good friends both with Dr Hunts."
"How much of the gossip in our locker room is true," asked Jenna.
"All except the part about creating the next Christina Yang," Annie said, "and having pre-selected interns to mentor. She has high standards."
Jo asked, "what do we call her?"
"Major Atman," Duncan replied.
"Dr Altman would be better here," Annie advised.
"Is that why some attendings call you mini Altman," asked Jenna.
"It is and I did my pre med experiences here so a few know me from that as well as the sub-intern program," Annie explained.
"Are you close to your mom," asked Jo.
"Mama and I are close," Annie replied.
"Good morning Dr. Pierce," Josh greeted.
"Let's go start rounds," Maggie said.
Teddy followed the group at a distance she didn't have any patients yet, she wanted to observe Annie working. Today her plan was to observe not only how the cardio department was working but the residents and interns in all areas, she needed a few to teach and mentor. She was looking forward to teaching and working with residents. She knew from her conversation with Bailey that Pierce liked the administrative side and her research, she also knew Nathan liked to research and try experimental procedures, she thought maybe with two doing research she could teach. She had enjoyed teaching Christina but she was hard headed and challenging,
"Altman present," Maggie said.
"Ben Marsh age 55 day two post op from a coronary artery dissection, Dr Altman and Dr Bailey placed grafts and the surgery went well," Annie said, "vitals are stable and blood work is normal."
"Thank you," Maggie said.
Annie smiled and nodded.
"Jones what do we do next," Maggie asked.
"We examine the incision site for any signs of infection and to make sure it is healing," Duncan said.
"Do it," Maggie directed.
Duncan did as he was asked. Maggie ran the other interns through the possible complications. Teddy noticed that Annie was holding back and not putting her hand up, letting the others do the talking. This was not the intern that had been in her OR on Saturday. She had to figure out why her daughter was being shy.
Teddy got paged to the pit for an incoming heart attack. She fought the urge to steal an intern from Pierce leaving the group to learn from the head of the department. Today she would work and operate.
Teddy went through her day spending most of it in the pit and clinic doing consults and headed home. Owen left around the same time and met Teddy at her house, when he arrived Teddy was making dinner.
"Do I make dinner for the two of us," Teddy asked, "or should I make enough for Annie and Josh."
"Make enough for everyone," Owen said, "what are you making?"
"Just pasta," Teddy said, "one I learned from Annie years ago."
"It's pasta," Owen said, "makes decent leftovers for lunches."
"Cafeteria food has not improved while I was gone," Teddy said.
"It hasn't," Owen replied, "since when do you cook?"
"When my 19 year old made fun of me for not being able to cook," Teddy said, "it was embarrassing when your 19 year old was a better cook. And now I really need to cook. This baby can't live on cafeteria food and take out."
"I make a mean lasagne," Owen said.
"Another night you can make everyone lasagne," Teddy agreed, "can you text Annie and ask when they're off? I need to get a Seattle number still."
"I can pull up the call schedule that has the interns," Owen said.
"Thank you," Teddy replied.
"They should be done around 8 if everything goes as planned today," Owen said.
"I'm starving," Teddy said, "let's eat without them. I just need to cook the pasta."
"I'll help," Owen said.
"I think there's salad stuff in the fridge if you want to do that," Teddy said, "Annie is part rabbit. It's not from my side."
"I've got it," Owen replied. He walked to the fridge, "there's still that spinach, strawberry and raspberry one Annie made the other day without dressing yet."
"It's easy, let's do that," Teddy said, "don't put that soft goat cheese in it. She had goat cheese and I can't have soft cheeses. So I missed out on this one and I like when she makes it."
"It was good," Owen agreed, he finished getting the salad ready, "there you go spinach and berry salad with no goat cheese."
"Dinner's almost done," Teddy said, "I like this you and I making dinner."
Owen kissed her, "I like coming home with you every day. Do you want to look at houses with me this weekend?"
"I'd like to come," Teddy said, "but I'm working Saturday. Bailey has me covering the pit."
"Are you sure that's a good idea," asked Owen.
"I'm perfectly fine to cover the pit," Teddy said, "it's only 14 hours."
"How was your first day," Owen asked.
"I observed the interns and residents this morning then I did an emergency bypass. It was nice to just operate again without needing to oversee everyone," Teddy said with a smile, "it was a good first day back."
"You looked pretty good in navy scrubs again," Owen said, "I like having you back."
"I like being back," Teddy said, "it was good to be in the pit with you today."
"I liked seeing you but I hardly got to talk to you today," Owen said.
"I'm looking forward to operating together again," Teddy said.
"We always worked well," Owen said.
Teddy took two plates out of the cupboard and set them beside the stove, "come eat."
"This looks great," Owen said as he scooped pasta onto his plate and topped it with the sauce, "thank you for making dinner."
They sat at the table and talked about their day's while they ate. Teddy felt relaxed and at home, this was what she wanted. She just had to find the courage to tell Owen that she was ready for the next step. She knew the risk she was taking but maybe it was time to take that step.
They cleaned up the dishes together putting the leftovers in the fridge for when Annie and Josh got home.
"Do you want to watch a movie for a bit," Teddy asked.
"Not one of your girly romantic comedies," Owen said.
"You choose," Teddy said, "no world war two movies. I think they have Netflix set up on the TV already."
"I'll get it set up," Owen said.
"There's brownies, do you want one," Teddy asked, "I'm going to make myself a cup of tea."
"Do they have decaf," Owen asked.
"I bought some," Teddy said, "I'll make you a cup."
Owen sat on the couch and found a movie. Teddy made their drinks and cut a few pieces from the tray of brownies and brought it all to the coffee table.
"Thanks," Owen said.
Teddy sat on the opposite end of the couch and stretched her legs out so her feet were in Owen's lap.
"You really want me to massage your feet," Owen asked.
Teddy nodded and teased, "you can't really say no."
Owen chuckled, "you're going to milk that for all its worth aren't you?"
"Only at home," Teddy promised, "at work I'm still a badass surgeon."
"We'll see about that," Owen laughed.
"Our family knows but when should we tell our friends," Teddy asked.
"That's up to you," Owen said.
"I'd like to wait until after my appointment next week," Teddy said.
"When is that," Owen asked.
"Wednesday at 1:30," Teddy said, "you'll be there."
"I'm off Wednesday so I will be," Owen replied, "I don't want to miss any of this Teddy. You, Annie, our baby, that's my family."
"It's our family," Teddy agreed.
"Is Annie okay with the baby," Owen asked.
"She's okay," Teddy said, "she's so independent now. She wants to be there for a little sibling. She knows we're happy and is happy for us."
"She would tell you if she wasn't okay," Owen said.
"She always does when she is ready," Teddy said, "she's happy with Josh right now and her friends. She's an intern, you know how busy that is."
Owen asked, "will you check in with her? She's looked nervous at work today, I haven't seen that since she was 19 or 20."
"I saw that today," Teddy said.
"There was also a lot of gossip today about you and some speculation about you. People pointed out how much you and Annie look alike," Owen said.
"That would bug her," Teddy said, "she hates attention. She doesn't have great experiences of being the center of attention. She would do something well and that sister would turn on her. She likes to be in the background. I'll talk to her soon."
"This baby won't go through that," Owen said, "they will only know our love."
"And will be an only child," Teddy said, "their sister is 25 years older. I still can't believe we're doing this that we're going to be parents."
"This is real," Owen said, "are you sure you're feeling okay?"
"I am," Teddy said, "still nauseous sometimes but it's going away. I'm feeling better than I did with Annie. I'm going to guess boy because this feels so different from Annie."
"As long as you and our baby are healthy I'm happy," Owen said, "I had given up on ever having kids."
"I thought Annie was my only one," Teddy said, "this one is a gift and to have it with my best friend is even better."
Owen took a deep breath, "Teddy I want to be more than your best friend. The last few days being us with our family felt right. I love you. I want to be us."
Teddy beamed, "I love you and I want this. I'm scared but I want to try being us."
"I'll be with you every step of the way," Owen said.
"Will you come to Germany with me to pack up my stuff and get it ready to be shipped over," Teddy asked.
"When do we go," Owen asked.
"Maybe the week after next. Let's see when we can get flights and talk to Bailey," Teddy said, "I want to fly soon before I start showing and it gets uncomfortable to go."
"Of course," Owen said, "I'm looking forward to seeing the baby grow and holding our baby."
Teddy smiled, "giant stomach and baby kicks first. A few more weeks to wait."
"Are you sure you're okay," Owen asked.
"Better now that i'm with you. This is still hard for me. Annie wasn't easy by any means. I was sick most of it and trying to finish my undergrad and start med school. I was making a really tough choice that I still question if it was right for her. I was totally alone and afraid the whole time with Annie. It was nearly impossible to give her to Dan and Leslie. The doctor told me I shouldn't hold her but I had to give my baby at least one kiss if I was never going to see her again," Teddy said.
"You're not alone this time. I promise I will be there every step of the way, every kick, craving and contraction," Owen said, "this is our baby."
Teddy began to cry.
"Teddy, no I didn't want you to cry," Owen said.
"I'm happy, I'm really happy but the hormones control my emotions at the moment," Teddy said.
"Come here," Owen said, opening his arms for her.
Teddy scooted closer and let Owen hold her while she cried.
"Feeling better," he asked when her body had stopped shaking.
Teddy gave him a kiss, "I do now."
"Do you still want to watch something," Owen asked.
"I do," Teddy said, "it's after 8 Annie should be home soon."
An hour later Annie stormed through the front door. Teddy sat up from where she had been laying on the couch with her head in Owen's lap while he played with her hair.
"Bad day Sweetheart," Teddy asked.
"Too much gossip," Annie grumbelled, "I'm just going to grab food and go study for a surgery tomorrow."
"What do you have tomorrow," Teddy asked.
"I'm scrubbing in on a colectomy with Webber," Annie replied.
"I made that chicken pasta you like, it's in the fridge," Teddy said.
"Thanks mama," Annie replied, "I'll heat it and take it into the office to study. Enjoy your movie."
"Are you sure you're okay," Teddy asked.
"I'm fine, tired, hungry and I have to be up at 4:30," Annie said, "I want to be in and ready before the rumor mill starts again tomorrow."
"What are they saying," Teddy asked.
"Just speculation about you," Annie said, "and a few people noticed that we look alike and asked me a million questions. That I didn't want to answer. I was happy to hide in Meghan's room."
"The gossip is for me to deal with," Teddy said, "i'll try to introduce myself to everyone tomorrow. I was going to today but got pulled into a couple things I wasn't planning on."
"Okay," Annie replied, "I'm going to eat and study."
"Come say good night when you're done," Teddy said.
"I will," Annie replied, "enjoy the rest of your movie."
Annie heated her dinner and put her headphones in before taking it into the office and closing the door behind her. Josh would be later getting home because he had joined a few of the guys for a beer. He knew Annie was in a bad mood after being pulled into the gossip all day and that she would need her space to calm down.
Josh came in as the movie was finishing, "where's Annie?"
"She went into the office to study for her surgery," Owen said.
"She's mad about all the gossip today," Teddy added.
"It started as soon as we got to the locker room this morning," Josh said, "people heard your last name and started pressuring her for information. All she would say is that you're her mother and working here now. There were a million other questions that she didn't answer. Annie likes to keep her life private."
"I know she likes her life kept private," Teddy said, "it's one reason I applied to and would have taken a job at another hospital in Seattle. To give her some space."
"She wants you here but she's being shy again," Josh said, "when it's just her and I or we're with Jenna and Duncan she's fine."
"Jenna seems a lot like Stephanie," Teddy said, "Stephanie was good for Annie."
"The next time we get two days off and Steph's scheduled lines up she wants to come spend the night," Josh said.
"We're house hunting this weekend so I won't be in your space too much longer," Teddy said.
"You're moving out already," Annie said coming into the living room.
"Owen and I are going to find something that's ours," Teddy said, "I'm going to keep this house in my name and keep renting it to you two. It's still your home Annie."
"We can find another place if you want," Annie said, "you two and the baby live here."
"This was my home with you and Henry," Teddy said, "we need somewhere that is for me and Owen."
"And my little sibling," Annie said.
"We're going to look," Teddy said, "it has to be the right place. In a couple weeks Owen and I are going to Landstuhl to pack up my stuff and have most of it shipped here."
"Germany again" Annie asked.
"For a week," Teddy said.
Annie teased, "we'll have a wild party with all the interns from all the departments while you're gone."
Teddy shook her head and laughed.