Sunday was moving day for Teddy and Owen. They were excited to finally be in their house. It was also bittersweet for Teddy to be moving out of the cottage. This was where she had learned to let herself be loved, bonded with Annie and dreamed for her next baby. It was where she became a mom the summer Annie was 19 and again when she told Owen about their baby making it real. This had been the home she pictured while she was in Germany. Part of it would always be home. Teddy glanced at the alarm clock and saw she still had time before they had to get up. She snuggled closer to Owen who instinctively tightened the arm around her waist. Her movement woke him and he kissed the back of her neck then her lips when she turned her head.

"That's how I like to wake up," Teddy whispered.

Owen propped himself up on his elbow, "good morning gorgeous."

Teddy laughed, "stop it. I'm a mess."

Owen kissed her again, "and never more beautiful."

Teddy returned the kiss and rolled to face him, "we still have time before we have to be up."

"I like how you think," Owen said before lacing his fingers through her curls and kissing her again.

Annie and Josh were dressed and in the kitchen when Teddy and Owen came out.

"We have coffee," Annie said, "and I'm making waffles."

Teddy teared up, "waffles for my last morning here?"

Annie laughed, "you have to stop crying at everything. It's just waffles and turkey bacon. "

Teddy gave Annie a hug and whispered, "thank you."

Both Josh and Owen looked confused; neither knew about waffle mornings at the cottage. They figured it was something special between Annie and Teddy.

"Anyone want to explain why Teddy is emotional over waffles," Owen asked.

"It has to do with the summer Annie was 19 and those first couple years when she would come down and stay to observe with me," Teddy said, "it was just a thing we did."

"Mama do you want to go first," Annie asked, "there's berries. I even got your strawberries."

Teddy smiled, "I thought the strawberries were for Josh. You always have raspberries and blueberries for yourself."

"I seem to be getting less allergic to the strawberries," Annie said, "one or two seem to be okay."

"Why did you try that," Teddy asked.

"Jenna didn't tell me there were strawberries in some cupcakes she brought in a couple weeks ago," Annie said, "we were at work if there had been an issue someone could have got my epipen or given me epinephrine."

Teddy said, "get it checked. Book an appointment with the allergy people."

Annie said, "I'm ahead of you. I go on Tuesday. My epi pen is about to expire."

"Do you want me to go with you," Teddy asked.

Annie shook her head, "it's the allergist they stick little stickers on my back for the things I'm allergic to. I'm fine. They'll call you if I go into anaphylactic shock."

"I'm your first contact. Who's your second," Teddy asked.

"Josh, then Owen as the third," Annie said.

Owen looked confused, "me?"

"If they couldn't get a hold of mama or Josh I thought you would be the best choice. You would make the same decisions mama would," Annie said, "you know the big things in my history and about the major surgery."

Teddy replied, "if something had happened I would have called Owen to be my eyes and ears until I could get here. I would have delegated. That was good thinking."

Josh asked, "what time do we pick up the truck?"

Owen answered, "9 its the earliest they open."

Teddy said, "it's 8:15 we should eat and get going."

"Why don't mama and Owen go get the truck and josh and I can put as much as we can and the small stuff in our cars," Annie said.

"Good thinking," Teddy said.

"You don't have too much here," Annie pointed out.

"Clothing," Teddy said.

"I'd like to stay here why doesn't owen just go get the truck," Teddy said.

"Josh is coming with me then," Owen said, "he can drive it back. Annie don't let teddy lift too much."

Teddy rolled her eyes, "our squirrel isn't so big I can't lift boxes yet."

"Not the heavy ones," Owen said.

"Stop being protective," Teddy snapped, "I'm fine."

"Squirrel really mama," Annie laughed.

Teddy laughed, "it's better then what I called you."

"What did you call me," Annie asked.

Teddy grinned, "remember I was 20."

Annie asked, "what was it?"

"You were my gremlin," Teddy said.

Annie groaned, "really that's the best you could come up with?"

Teddy laughed, "it wasn't my most creative moment."

Annie agreed, "at least a squirrel actually exists."

"My mom called you a pumpkin," Teddy said.

Annie asked, "why don't you talk about your mom?"

Teddy shook her head, "saying goodbye was hard and I still miss her. You remind me of her sometimes in all the good ways. She would have loved you."

"What was she like," Annie asked.

Teddy smiled, "she was amazing. Gentle, kind, so full of love. She was smart. The best baker I've ever met. She could really sing. She would have been proud of us. She was the person I trusted most in the world. You have her smile and the same laugh."

Annie seeing Teddy getting emotional again gave her a big hug.

Teddy whispered, "no matter what you're always my little bear."

"I know," Annie whispered back, "you can let go of me now."

Teddy laughed.

Annie suggested, "just wait and hug the baby all you want. Babies snuggle."

Owen called, "we need to get going. Josh your with me."

"We'll get what we can in our cars and drive it over," Teddy said.

When Josh and Owen had left Teddy asked, "Annie are you sure you're okay with all of this?"

Annie put down the box she was carrying, "why wouldn't I be?"

Teddy said, "I don't want you to feel like I'm abandoning you."

"You're not," Annie said, "it's the next step for both of us. You should be with Owen. I'm 24 you can't hold yourself back for me. You love Owen. Go be happy."

"It's not about me," Teddy said, "I'm worried you'll feel replaced by the baby."

Annie sat on the couch beside Teddy, "I don't. It's a little weird that I'm going to be 25 years older than my baby sibling. I'm more of a really cool aunt than a big sister. But your not replacing me. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't jealous that they get to stay with you. That they have the chance to know you from birth. I always wondered and wanted to know. They told me nothing about you, I didn't even know your name until I was 17 and found the adoption papers in the filing cabinet."

Teddy asked, "they never told you? Sweetheart I sent them a letter every month asking about you and to tell you I loved you. I always responded to your mom. You were seriously 17 before you found out."

Annie replied, "they were going to wait until my 19th birthday to give me that information. I knew mom wrote to you. I used to beg to add my own note. I wish I had known that it was love and wanting more then a med student could give. That this baby will know your always on their side even if you don't agree with them. I'm jealous that They won't ever have to prove they belong in a family or are worthy of love. They don't have to prove their good enough."

"You never have to prove you belong here or with us. I want you, we want you. There was never a day I didn't wonder about you. It didn't matter where I was or what I was doing, you were my first thought in the morning and my last prayer at night, " Teddy said, "it's been the two of us for a while. This is new. Nothing you or this baby do will ever change how proud I am of you or how much I love you."

"Promise," Annie asked.

"Always," Teddy said, "and it's not just me. Who was front row of the gallery cheering you on for your first appy? Who found you before you scrubbed in and wished you luck?"

"Uncle Owen," Annie replied.

Teddy nodded, "and he was furious with me. I hadn't come home and talked to him yet. But he loved you so much that no matter how mad he was at me he was going to cheer you on and tell me how well you did."

"I messed up," Annie said, "my purse string slipped."

Teddy nodded, "minor error. You did better than 95% of interns. But that's not the point. Sweetheart you are part of our family and we love you no matter what. We talk about our family being the four of us. And our kids not our baby, our kids."

"Really," Annie asked.

Teddy replied, "really. Always. I promise. Next time you're feeling like this please come tell me don't pull into your shell. "

Annie said, "I was being stupid. It's not even really about you or Owen or the baby."

Teddy asked , "then what is it about?"

Annie said , "Dan and Leslie. That no matter what I did I was never good enough. Why did I have to fight for their love?"

Teddy said, "I don't know. I wish I did. I promise you will always belong here."

Annie asked again, "really."

"Really," Teddy said.

It was Annie's turn to cry. Teddy reached for her and hugged her.

Owen came in, "everything okay?"

Teddy nodded, "just an emotional day. Lots of changes."

Owen asked, "what do you need?"

Teddy replied, "a couple minutes we'll come find you and josh."

Owen nodded and walked out.

Teddy said, "I need a moment. What do you need?"

Annie said, "two minutes to gather my thoughts. Sorry I dumped on you like that. This was supposed to be a happy day."

Teddy said, "never apologize for your feelings. I was waiting for that. I know you better than you think. I knew something was up. Please don't hold it all in. Tell me."

Annie said, "it's the Dan and Leslie thing. Realizing I can't go back that they won't answer my calls I got scared. I know it's stupid. I turn 25 in three weeks and I'm upset because my parents won't acknowledge me. I know it's pathetic. I know it's not healthy."

Teddy said, "you're talking about it. It's okay to be hurt and upset. Whenever you want to talk about it let me know. "

Annie said, "I am really happy for you. You and Owen that's meant to be. It took so long for you to realize how much you love each other. This is exciting."

"It is," Teddy agreed, "this is right. I'm happy for you two. You and Josh, that's real. You found your person.

Annie gave Teddy another hug, "thanks mama I love you. Are we good?"

Teddy returned the hug, "I love you two sweetheart. We're good. You can do this, you're strong."

Annie said, "I'm going to fix my makeup we should help them."

Teddy nodded, "I have mascara on my face don't I?"

"Yep," Annie said, "so do I."

Annie and Teddy both went to fix their makeup.

Josh noticed something was up and gave Annie a hug, "what's bugging you? Is everything okay with you and your mama? Owen said it was pretty emotional."

Annie replied, "it's good. We're good. Just a lot going on."

Josh asked, "is this about your sibling or your parents?"

Annie whispered, "a bit of both but mainly Leslie and Dan."

Josh asked, "are you sure you're okay?"

Annie said, "I will be. I just need another hug."

Josh said, "I can do that."

Josh held Annie close until she relaxed.

On the other side of the driveway teddy leaned into Owen.

"Hey," Owen whispered into Teddy's hair, "are you okay?"

Teddy nodded, "she finally opened up."

Owen asked, "is she okay?"

Teddy replied, "she will be. She's been struggling with Leslie and Dan. And wondering if she's good enough."

Owen asked, "what do we do?"

Teddy said, "time. Let her talk when she's ready. Show her we're there no matter what. She's scared. We knew that. This time she's fine. I'm not worried. Don't worry we're good. It's fine."

"She's our Annie," Owen said, "of course I worry. And I worry about you and our baby. Our family is the most important thing in the world."

Teddy nodded, "were all good. All of us."

"What do you need," Owen asked.

Teddy pulled him closer, "a minute with you."

"Of course," Owen said and held Teddy tight.

Annie and Josh walked back into the house and began carrying the few boxes out of Teddy's room to his jeep. They filled the trunk area and piled them on the back seat.

"That's most of it from the house," Josh said.

"I have furniture in the garage," Owen said, "and a few things Teddy had shipped over."

"Finally I get my mattress back," Teddy said.

"You had it shipped over," Josh asked.

"Yes," Teddy said, "it's the best mattress I've ever slept on. It was worth it."

"You'll get it back tonight," Owen promised.

"With the new bedding," Teddy said.

"Let's get going then," Owen said, "my mom should be at the house now."

"Let's get going then," Teddy said.

They loaded everything from the house and garage into the uhaul and truck.

"Owen's place then the new house," Annie asked.

"House first," Teddy said, "you and I will unpack as they bring stuff."

"Then I want the bluetooth speaker from the kitchen," Annie said, "we need music."

"Go fast," Teddy said.

"I'm taking Josh's jeep," Annie said, "who are you going with?"

"I'm driving," Teddy said, "see you there."

"Okay," Annie said, "Josh I need your keys."

He tossed them across the driveway to her.

"Let's move," Owen called.

They drove to the new house and saw Evelyn, Meghan and Fraoke sitting on the porch steps.

"Uncle Owen, Auntie Teddy," Faroke yelled running up the driveway.

"Hey bud," Owen said, "how are your muscles today?"

Fraoke flexed, "I'm strong."

"Come help me and Josh then," Owen said.

"How can we help," Evelyn asked.

"Mainly with unpacking," Teddy said, "Meg is still doing PT and shouldn't do too much yet."

"You need to be careful lifting as well," Meghan said.

"That's why we're keeping Annie here," Teddy said, "she gets the heavy stuff."

"Thanks," Annie said.

"Teddy, I need you to tell us where things go when we bring them in," Owen said.

"I will," Teddy said.

The quickly unloaded all three vehicles and placed things in their rooms.

"Mama, where do you want to start," Annie asked.

"Kitchen and our bedroom first," Teddy said.

"What do you want me to do," Annie asked.

"Kitchen," Teddy said, "you know how I like to organize things. You've spent enough time in my kitchen before."

"I think so," Annie said.

"I'll help Annie," Meghan said, "I still need more time with my niece."

"I'll come with you then Teddy," Evelyn said.

"Owen before you go can you set up the bed frame," Teddy asked.

"I will," Owen said, "Josh can you help me?"

Josh followed Owen upstairs with Teddy and Evelyn on their heels.

Annie went into the kitchen, "this is gorgeous."

"It is," Meghan agreed.

"She loves to bake lot's of room for that in here," Annie said, "look at all the cupboard space and that stove."

"This whole house," Meghan said.

"I know," Annie replied, "I vote for all family gatherings here now."

"You've done some great dinners," Meghan said, "I need to move back out of my moms and then I can host."

"I'm always ready to help," Annie said.

"I'll remember that," Meghan said.

"Do," Annie said, "I like to cook."

"Who taught you," Meghan asked.

"Leslie," Annie said, "the woman who raised me. I was her right hand for a lot of dinners and most family events.

"Leslie," asked Meghan, "not mom?"

"She hasn't answered my calls since my last day of med school. I don't even know if she realizes I'm in Seattle," Annie said.

"Where are they," Meghan asked.

"Cloverdale BC, about an hour east of Vancouver. Just over the border," Annie said.

"You haven't gone," Meghan said.

"No," Annie said, "my sister is there. I don't want to deal with her. I leave voicemails, text and email. Really it's been me and mama since I was 21. And I'm a surgical intern who averages 90 hours a week when do I have time to make the six hour round trip for a cup of coffee. None of my stuff is there any more. Mama got it all after the second incident, your mom has the bins with my year books and scrapbooks."

"How old are you," Meghan asked.

Annie responded, "I'm 25 in 2 weeks."

"Young for an intern," Meghan said.

"Josh is only a year older," Annie said, "Jenna Silverstone is the same age as Josh."

"You and Josh, how did that happen," Meghan asked.

"We were in the same cohort in the first year of med school," Annie said, "he became my best friend right away. He was just my best friend for the whole four years. We started dating at the beginning of May when we finished classes."

"Did Teddy know who he was," Meghan asked.

"She knew my best friend at school was named Josh until the beginning of my third year. Then she came to speak at a trauma conference and taught our cardio class for the week. She didn't tell me she was coming and just appeared at the podium in the lecture hall. Josh didn't believe that was mama at first, she was in uniform and all business. She came to my trauma lecture which Nathan was guest teaching that day. They had fun when they figured out that Josh and I were good friends," Annie explained.

"The line I got was ' you didn't tell me your friend Annie is Annie Altman, leading with my best friend is Teddy's daughter would have been appreciated' Nathan wasn't super thrilled I left out that detail," Josh said.

"In your defense I was still using McKellar in first year and the first part of second year until all the paperwork came through," Annie said, "that was a pain. Changing two passports."

"Two passports," Meghan asked.

"I have dual citizenship, I was born in Texas so I was able to get American that way. It's what let me go to an american school and do my residency here," Annie said.

"That's how that worked," Meghan said, "my mom told me you were Canadian champion a few times for dance."

"Which style," Annie asked.

"I only ever did highland," Meghan said, "did you do that in a few styles?"

"I was always torn between ballet and highland," Annie said, "I haven't done ballet since I left UBC. but it's what got me into the Vancouver Olympic ceremonies for opening and closing."

"You had two styles," Meghan asked.

"I did," Annie said, "I was a bit of an overachiever and tried to avoid being home. I should talk to you about my national costume."

"My mom and Teddy told me," Meghan said, "I like that you have it. I've seen some pictures."

"Do you want it back," Annie asked.

"Let's leave it in the closet for now," Meghan said, "hold onto it. Maybe Teddy and Owen's baby is a girl and she could have it. Auntie Meghan, Annie, baby."

"That would be fitting," Annie agreed, "add her name to the back. Find the original Hunt broach. Your mom kept that. I still have my McKellar one on it. I can't compete again. I'd be back as a beginner because I let my registration lapse with ScotDance and it's under McKellar. I have to register in the states and under Altman."

"Dance for fun," Meghan suggested.

"I will," Annie said, "when I find time. For now I just dance in my living room when no one is around. Do you ever miss it?"

"Sometimes," Meghan said, "it's gotten easier over the years. I hung up my kilt before med school."

"I miss it," Annie said, "it was my stress release. I run and I swim but it's not the same."

"When I'm cleared to run, come run with me," Meghan said, "I want to get to know you."

"Why me," Annie asked.

"You're the one in the family I know the least about," Meghan said, "how does Teddy like her kitchen set up."

"I'll put the boxes under the cupboards they should go in," Annie said, "things you grab most near the top or front of the cupboards and least underneath or behind. She'll tell me if I'm wrong."

"Always has," Meghan said, "she's brutally honest."

"So nice about it," Annie said, "the other interns don't know how to take her or if she's an attending they can trust. There's been a lot of gossip about her and Owen."

"I bet," Meghan said, "hospitals are bad for gossip."

"I can't stand gossip," Annie said, "it's a waste of time and none of their business."

"It's not," Meghan said, "but she can't hide it now."

"I know," Annie said, " little sibling at the end of January."

"Do you think her and Owen will come to the cabin for New Years," Meghan asked, "are you and Josh coming?"

"Mama is thinking about it," Annie said, "I'd like to come and ski for a day or two. I don't have my work schedule yet. I'll have Christmas or New Years, it depends what I work. Mama isn't sure if she'll be up to the drive and if she wants to be that far from the hospital then. The last time we went there I was 21. It was her last Christmas in Seattle. The last few Christmases I've gone to Germany to see her. The last time we went to Baker we had the best ski day, my brother came with us. That trip was the most epic snowball fight of my life. My brother and I against the 'adults' they beat us badly."

"You and Chris against Teddy and Owen," Meghan asked.

"Mama, Henry, Uncle Owen and Christina," Annie replied, "4 vs 2 was not fair."

"You probably went in for cinnamon buns," Meghan said.

"And hot chocolate," Annie said.

"My mom makes you cinnamon buns, your family, she doesn't do that for just anyone," Meghan said.

"Why me though," Annie asked.

"First you were Teddy's daughter then she got to know you," Meghan said, "she calls you her granddaughter. You spent a month with her last winter?"

"Three weeks. I was doing a subinternship at GSM and it was better than a hotel. Josh stayed with Nathan," Annie said.

"I heard about that," Meghan said, "you guys hung out at Nathan's a lot."

"We did," Annie said, "it was a stressful three weeks. It was a three week interview. It was worth it."

"How did you and Nathan meet," Annie asked.

"Same way as you and Josh," Meghan laughed, "but we dated through school. My brother hated it. I shared an apartment with Owen and he didn't like Nathan staying over."

"I didn't want to risk the friendship," Annie said, "I needed my best friend."

"What did Teddy tell you," Meghan laughed.

"Not to be like her actually," Annie said, "we were more of a couple then we wanted to admit. How did you make residency work with the crazy schedules?"

"We lived together which helped," Meghan said, "and you find moments when you pass in the pit or the scrub room, try to eat lunch or dinner together. When you specialize it will get better. Have you started thinking?"

"I'm torn between cardio and trauma," Annie said, "Josh likes trauma and ortho. We pass in the scrub room sometimes. But we hang out with some of our friends in the basement."

"Good," Meghan said, "and you live together now."

"We do," Annie said, "my brother is pissed. This is when it's great that he's in Edmonton Alberta."

"Distance from the protective brother is a good thing for your relationship," Meghan said, "has he met Josh?"

"A couple times," Annie said, "they got along well at graduation. We should talk to you mom about a baby shower for mama."

"We should do something," Meghan agreed, "do they know what it is yet?"

"After my birthday they find out," Annie said, "we need a cute theme."

"A cute theme," Meghans said, "and who are we inviting?"

"You, your mom, Callie, Arizona, Bailey," Annie said, "what about a zoo animal theme or under the sea?"

"I like the zoo animals," Meghan said, "I'll talk to my mom."

"Or story books could be cute," Annie said.

"Zoo animals," Meghan said ," for sure."

"A lot of their friends are guys," Annie said, "should we invite them or are baby showers just for women?"

"We could invite both," Meghan said, "they can choose to come or not."

Evelyn came down, "are you working or talking?"

"Both," Annie said.

"I know you Miss Annie," Evelyn said, "you're talking."

"Almost done mom," Meghan said.

"We're a good team," Annie said, "we just have to crush the boxes and wait for the stuff from Owen's place."

"Wow," Teddy said, "you are fast."

"You didn't send much over," Annie replied.

"Anything I had to plug in would be useless," Teddy said, "I only sent favourite things."

They helped unload the next truck load and everyone unpacked. Around dinner time Owen ordered pizza for everyone, it was easier than trying to cook.

"We'll do a family dinner here in a couple weeks for Annie's birthday," Teddy announced.

"I'm working overnight on my birthday," Annie said.

"That weekend then," Teddy said, "25 it's a big one."

"I'll get Nathan's schedule," Meghan said, "but Faroke and I will be here for sure."

"We don't need to do this," Annie said.

"I want to," Teddy said, "I never get to celebrate your birthday."

"This once," Annie agreed.