Bailey had tried to keep the Holiday schedule as fair as she could. She had appreciated Teddy's suggestion of scheduling the Hunt/ Altman/ Riggs family together and had them on overnight on Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day. Meghan was the only one not working that evening, she wasn't scheduled to start until the last week of January, this would also be the last 24 hour shift Teddy would do before the birth of her younger daughter. There were no scheduled surgeries, anything that happened would be emergency procedures.
Teddy got Owen to help her decorate the small conference room for Christmas and with Bailey's permission had ordered food that people could come help themselves to throughout the night.
Teddy sat back in one of the chairs with her feet up in a second and her hands on her stomach.
"Next Christmas we'll have our baby here," Teddy said.
Owen bent to kiss Teddy, "we will. Are you sure you're up to working tonight?"
"I am," Teddy said, "my feet were just sore for a minute. I'm fine."
Owen lifted up her feet and sat down in the chair, "I can help with that Teds."
Teddy said, "please do."
Owen untied her shoes and began to massage her feet and calves.
Teddy relaxed and said quietly, "that feels much better. Thank you."
"Any time," Owen smiled.
Teddy said, "I've finished filling all the stockings for the residents and interns can you hang them?"
Owen asked, "what did you do?"
Teddy laughed, "the cardio department did it. I'm just the elf. An apple or orange, candy cane, coffee cart gift card, amazon gift card, some candy."
Owen grabbed the box, "they have names on them."
"Of course they do," Teddy said, "so do ours at home."
"Did you do all of this," Owen asked.
"I had an elf," Teddy said, "or twenty."
"You used interns," Owen asked.
"I did," Teddy said, "I was doing a skills lab on different types of suture. I had them all put their own name on it using at least 4 types of stitch then I gave them residents for more practice."
"You are Christmas crazy," Owen said.
"It's my favorite holiday," Teddy said, "Owen, feel this, give me your hand."
He reached out and she put his hand where their daughter was kicking.
"She's getting strong," Owen said.
"Four more weeks," Teddy said.
"A month," Owen echoed.
"Have they figured out your leave," Teddy asked.
"Yesterday but I wasn't supposed to tell you," Owen said, "Meg passed her recertifications."
"Meghan is going to do your leave," Teddy asked.
"She is," Owen said, "she's excited to start."
"When does she start," Teddy asked.
"She starts observing the second week of January," Owen said, "two weeks before our baby is due. She's just going to do the surgical and teaching part. Kepner will do the administration part. She said she wants to teach and some of her experience is so unique that it'll be great for the residents."
"I'm liking being the main teacher for cardio right now," Teddy said.
"That was a good choice," Owen said, "you scared me at thanksgiving."
"I scared myself," Teddy said, "I thought she was coming then. We weren't ready. We're still not ready."
"What's left to do," Owen asked, "we went to the classes. The nursery is almost done."
"I don't know how to raise a baby," Teddy said, "med students I can handle. This baby will need us to do everything for them."
"Teddy breath," Owen said, "it's Christmas Eve. We have a good night planned. I even have a Santa hat."
"You got a Santa hat," Teddy said.
"I have one for you two Mrs. Clause," Owen said.
"Perfect and I have reindeer antlers for the interns and elf hats for the residents," Teddy said, "let's hang the stockings then dinner should be here it's almost 7."
Teddy pushed herself up off the chair.
"Need a hand," Owen asked.
"Please," Teddy said.
Owen took her hand and helped her out of the chair.
Teddy hugged him when she was up, "Merry Christmas Owen."
"Merry Christmas Teddy," Owen said, giving her a quick kiss.
Teddy returned the kiss pulling him into her. He slid his hands down her sides and then under her scrub top. Teddy ran her hands through the hair at the back of his neck then wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Annie opened the conference room door then stepped out letting it slam shut behind her.
"Mama and Uncle Owen are making out," Annie said to Josh, "can't they do that at home."
"Mama Altman and Hunt," Jenna asked.
"Mama Altman," Annie asked.
"You call her mama," Jenna said, "we've never said it to her face. But it helps us know which Altman we're talking about. Your mini Altman."
"Attendings call me mini Altman," Annie said.
Teddy asked, "who just came in, saw us and let the door slam?"
"I'm hoping it wasn't an intern," Owen said.
"They all talk," Teddy said, "they've been calling me mama Altman when they don't think I can hear them."
"Do you like it," Owen asked.
"I've been doing a lot of teaching and working with them a lot lately," Teddy said, "I like them. It's a good group. They've all heard Annie call me mama. I think they trust me. They talk in the skills lab. Some have come to me for advice."
"They see you with Annie and they feel like they can trust you. Your teaching has changed this year. Your gentler with the interns, you still expect a lot of them but you're more encouraging. You praise them," Owen said.
"I see them as kids," Teddy said, "when my daughter is one of them. It's her friends. I've been thinking how would I want another attending to treat or teach Annie."
Owen said, "I look at them and see Annie and Josh. I want them to be excellent but I'm not the natural teacher you are. How do you do it?"
"Try not barking like a sea lion," Teddy said, "praise. I've caught myself saying good girl to Annie and Jenna."
"Good girl really," Owen asked.
"It just came out," Teddy said, "Annie's used to it from me. Jenna didn't seem phased."
There was a knock at the door.
Teddy opened it, "merry Christmas sweetheart."
Annie asked, "is it safe?"
"What do you mean by safe," Teddy asked.
Annie rolled her eyes, "I came in and you were making out with your boyfriend."
Teddy smiled, "it was a kiss."
"The moment his hands are under your shirt it's not just a kiss," Annie said, "I shouldn't have to explain this to you."
"Who else knows," Teddy asked.
"Josh and Jenna were with me," Annie said.
Teddy asked, "what did they say?"
"The rest of the interns are calling you mama Altman when we can't hear them," Annie said.
"Bailey told me," Teddy said, "they can call me that to my face. I like it. Dinner should be here soon. Can you round up any intern that's not actively with a patient and send them here for 7:30?"
"I'll spread the word," Annie said.
"What were you and Josh planning on doing when we finish work tomorrow," Teddy asked.
"Home, presents, nap, then Nathan and Meghans for dinner," Annie said, "they only moved in a week ago. I haven't seen their new place yet. It's a lot for her to do dinner by herself."
Teddy nodded, "Evelyn and Faroke will help."
"What are you doing after work," Annie asked.
"Home, sleep, presents then dinner," Teddy said.
Annie asked, "what should we expect working Christmas Eve?"
Teddy said, "some years it's an average night other years were swamped. The snow will keep people home. But there's more risk for those who go out."
"Do I have time to make a phone call," Annie asked, "I should be able to catch mom and dad if I call now."
"Go ahead sweetheart," Teddy said.
Annie walked to the back stairwell and took her phone out of her pocket. She entered the code that stopped her caller ID from showing so they would answer.
Dan answered on the third ring , "hello?"
"Merry Christmas dad," Annie said.
"Merry Christmas Annie, how are you," Dan said, "I'm putting you on speaker so mom can hear. Jessica is already with your cousins."
"I'm good," Annie replied, "how are you?"
"We're great," Dan said, "Chris told us you're working tonight and tomorrow."
"I started at nine am and I'm off at noon tomorrow," Annie said.
"Do you have any days off for the holidays," Dan asked.
"I have 4 back to back over New Years," Annie said, "we're going to Baker skiing."
"Whose we," Dan asked.
"Me, Josh, Mama, Uncle Owen, Nathan, Meghan, Faroke and Evelyn," Annie said.
"Who are these people," Dan asked, "I only recognize Teddy and Owen."
"You know Evelyn she's Owen's mom," Annie said, "Josh is my boyfriend we've been together since med school, we really lucked out getting the same residency. Now things start to get confusing. Meghan Hunt is uncle Owens' sister. They found her this summer, I'm really starting to like her. Nathan is Josh's uncle who Meghan dated from the start of med school all the way until she disappeared and Nathan waited all those years for her so they're together now. Faroke is Meghan's adopted son, he's 10. Nathan always looked out for and helped Josh out. Josh is closer to Nathan than his parents. Mama, Uncle Owen, Meghan and Nathan all served together in Iraq. Then mama and Uncle Owen are finally together and having a daughter at the end of January."
"Teddy and Owen got married," Leslie asked, "and she's pregnant?"
"Not married. Just together, they bought a house. They are happy. She's having a girl at the end of January," Annie said, "what are you doing for Christmas?"
"We just got home from church and are getting ready to go to Jims," Dan said, "maybe next year you'll be able to come."
"I don't know that call schedule yet and I'll be a second year resident so I'll have more responsibility," Annie said.
"What are you doing for Christmas," Leslie asked, "your ski trip with the Hunt family was always New Years."
"I'm working until noon tomorrow but we're making it as festive as possible all of the interns and residents have reindeer antlers on with our scrubs. Attendings have Santa hats," Annie said, "Josh, Mama, Owen and Nathan are on this shift so we're together. We're off at noon so Josh and I will go home, do our presents, play with the kitten, have a nap then Meghan and Evelyn are making Christmas dinner for 7ish."
"You're not alone," Leslie clarified.
"No," Annie said, "I have the Seattle family. What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Chris is home," Leslie said, "we're going to do the usual Christmas morning then going to grandma's."
"Say hi to grandma and grandpa for me," Annie said, "did the presents I sent make it?"
"They did. Thank you Annie," Leslie said, "did ours?"
"It's under the tree," Annie said, "thank you."
Her pager buzzed in her pocket and she saw it was a 911 for the pit.
"I have to go," Annie said, "I'm being paged to the emergency room. Now. It's Owen so it's a run as fast as you can page."
"You'll call us again soon," Dan asked.
"I will. Merry Christmas," Annie said.
"Merry Christmas Annie," Leslie and Dan said together.
Annie pocketed her phone and raced to the pit. She met Teddy in the elevator.
Annie asked, "are you sure you're okay?"
Teddy nodded, "I'm fine. 4 more weeks. How did your call go?"
Annie smiled, "they were positive and asked questions. It's the best conversation I've had with them since I left."
Teddy replied, "good."
"Do we have to wear the stupid antlers," Annie asked.
Teddy laughed, "don't be a grinch you love Christmas."
"I do but the antlers are messing up my hair," Annie laughed.
Teddy shook her head, "leave them it's festive."
They walked to the pit in a comfortable silence.
"Do you know what we have," Annie asked.
"MVC," Teddy said, "I don't have a strong cardio resident tonight. I'm going to take the minor cardio with you and Josh. Nathan is running major cardio."
"So we're on collapsed lungs, minor heart attacks and asthma attacks," Annie asked.
"Something like that," Teddy said.
As they put on trauma gowns Owen called , "Altman's this one's yours. Mini Altman don't let your mama over do it."
"Yes sir," Annie replied, joining the paramedics with the gurney and taking the history. Teddy counted to move the patient from the gurney to the trauma bed.
"Hunt I need a trauma surgeon," Teddy called.
"I'm the only one tonight," Owen called, "I'll send another resident."
"I need more hands," Teddy said.
"Deluca," Owen called, "trauma 3 with the Altman's."
"I have to intubate," Annie said," the airway is compromised"
"Do it," Teddy directed.
Teddy was listening to the heart and lungs, "Annie get a chest tube in on the right now there's no breath sounds."
Annie quickly placed the chest tube under Teddy's watchful eye.
"Annie listen to this," Teddy said, "close your eyes and listen to the heart what do you hear."
"It's muffled," Annie said, "like it's stuck on something."
Teddy nodded, "good it sounds like a tapenade to me something has punctured the pericardium and maybe the heart."
"CT stat," Annie said.
Teddy replied, "portable X-ray, ultrasound then CT if we need it, then the first OR we can get."
Annie ran for the equipment.
"Riggs Jr, Jones," Teddy called, "I need your hands."
"Yes mam," Duncan said entering the room.
"Yes dr," Josh said running in.
"Gentlemen I need you to run a full trauma panel and start assessing for injuries to the abdomen," Teddy commanded.
"Major Altman," Duncan said, "he's military."
"Where did you see that," Teddy asked.
"His tags are with his wallet mam," Duncan replied.
"He is our patient and we will give him the best possible care," Teddy said.
Annie came back with the portable ultrasound and Teddy began checking the heart and then the abdomen.
Teddy called, "clear an OR were coming now. His rib is so broken it ruptured his pericardium. Prep him for transport. Annie go update Owen."
Annie ran to Owen, "mama is taking our patient to the OR. First available is ours. Ruptured pericardium, collapsed lung and broken ribs. Fluid in the abdomen."
Owen asked, "who is she taking for residents ?"
"Me, Andrew Deluca, Josh, Duncan Jones," Annie replied.
"Half my interns and my strongest resident," Owen said.
"She needs us," Annie said.
"Make sure she's careful," Owen said.
"I will," Annie replied, "she knows she has half of tonight's residents."
"Annie let's move," Teddy called.
"Coming," Annie said, dashing to grab onto the gurney and start pushing it.
"Annie hop up you're going to keep CPR going until he's in the or," Teddy said, "we're going to get in there and open fast. We need to crack his chest and put him on bypass."
"What," Annie asked.
"Get on the gurney and keep CPR going," Teddy said, "gentlemen you need to run. I'm right behind you."
Annie jumped up and took over CPR from Josh. Teddy was glad to have Annie who was small enough to do this; it would have been much harder to keep cpr going while running without Annie kneeling on the gurney. While Annie being tiny sometimes worried Teddy today her petite 5'3" daughter was a blessing.
"Someone get my antlers," Annie said.
Teddy grabbed them off her head while they waited for the elevator.
"I told you they were stupid," Annie said.
Exiting the elevator they ran for the or.
Teddy commanded the anesthesiology resident to take over CPR.
Annie ran to scrub grabbing the end of her French braids and wrapping them around her head securing the meds with the Bobby pins in her pocket. She grabbed a scrub cap out of the box for residents making sure all of her hair was hidden.
In the OR Teddy began commanding the residents and interns, "Riggs open, deluca crack the chest, Jones be ready with the rib spreader. Annie be ready to help me get him on bypass."
They worked quickly without talking and got the chest opened and heart exposed.
"This will be a long repair," Teddy said, "I'm keeping all of you here, you're going to do a lot of this. I'll do the most delicate parts."
Teddy began working giving her interns directions. She heard Annie humming silent night as she sewed in a graft.
"Can we get some Christmas music," Teddy asked the OR tech.
"Of course dr Altman," the tech replied.
Teddy began to sing along with the carol as she worked and heard Annie join her followed by Josh and Duncan.
As Joy to The World came on Teddy said , "let's take him off bypass."
They restarted the heart and saw no problems. Teddy used a couple screws to reattach the loose piece of rib.
"Duncan, can you close and staple the chest, Josh hold it closed, Annie will do the incision," Teddy said.
Teddy sat on the stool the tech had brought in for her and watched her interns closely.
They left the scrub room and once the patient was stable in ICU Teddy told them to go to the small conference room.
It was just after one in the morning.
"Why are we here," asked Jenna.
"I don't know," Annie said, "but she had her I'm up to something face."
"I saw Christmas decorations in here earlier," Cassidy said.
"She had us put names on all those stockings last week," a man said.
"That's just mama she loves Christmas," Annie said, "it's a huge deal for her and I. It was the one time in the year we were guaranteed to be off at the same time."
Owen opened the door and they could see Teddy sitting in a chair with her feet up on another beaming and wearing a Santa hat with her scrubs.
"Merry Christmas," Teddy called, "come in."
"What is this," asked Cassidy.
"We knew how much you wanted to spend Christmas with your families and thought that we could be our surgical family tonight," Teddy said.
"Come eat," Owen said, "Grab a plate and come sit."
The residents, interns and attendings lined up at the serving table.
"Mama do you want me to get you a plate," Annie asked.
"I have it Annie," Owen said.
Annie and Josh sat near Owen Teddy and Nathan with their plates.
"Thank you mama Altman," Jenna said.
Teddy smiled, "I've been hearing that behind my back for weeks. I like it. But it wasn't just me. Owen and Nathan helped with a lot of the set up. So did Dr Bailey and Dr Pierce."
After they ate Owen grabbed his guitar from the corner and began to play Christmas carols. The group sang along softly.
Richard smiled, six years ago when he had first hired Teddy this was not what he would have expected. Through getting to know her daughter they had all seen a different side of the passionate and driven surgeon. There was a gentleness and kindness to the woman who loved her family and cared for her friends. Teddy fought fiercely for the people she loved and her paitents. Now because of the same daughter Teddy was taking the interns under her wing and had the interns going to her and trusting her. She was their advocate and mother hen. The interns had even picked up on Annie's habit of calling her mama.
Richard asked, "mama Altman do you know anything about all these stockings with residents and interns names on them?"
Teddy smiled, "I do. Richard, do you want to hand them out with Nathan?"
"It would be my pleasure to play Santa," Richard said.
Richard began calling the names on each of the stockings while Nathan walked them to the intern or resident.
"Teddy," Richard called.
"Me," Teddy looked shocked.
"Amelia," Richard called.
"Owen," Richard called.
"What," Owen asked, "these were just for residents and interns?"
Richard smiled, "no one gets left out. Nathan your next."
"In that case, Richard," called Nathan. Who had heard of Richard's plan for Owen and Teddy not knowing he and Amelia would be included.
Opening their stockings Teddy and Owen quickly realized that Richard had done these himself.
Teddy stood and went to Richard, "thank you."
"Your welcome," Richard smiled, "merry Christmas."
The rest of the shift was uneventful with a few minor injuries but no more surgeries. The group stayed gathered in the conference room.
When everyone got dressed in normal clothes the next morning Jenna found Teddy.
"Thank you so much for that mama Altman," Jenna said, "it made me feel at home."
Teddy opened her arms to hug Jenna, "your welcome Jenna."
Jenna returned the hug.
Many of the interns stopped to thank and hug mama Altman. Teddy liked the new nickname; it meant the interns trusted and felt safe with her.
"We'll see you at Megs in a bit," Owen said when Annie and Josh met them in the lobby.
"You will," Josh said.
Annie hugged Teddy, "merry Christmas mama. Thank you for that."
"It wasn't just me. Merry Christmas sweetheart," Teddy said.
"Merry Christmas Annie," Owen said, giving Annie a hug.
"Merry Christmas uncle Owen," Annie said, "we'll see you in a few hours."
"Meghan wants to do Christmas dinner in our pajamas don't forget," said Nathan.
"I know," Annie said, "we have fun Christmas ones."
"See you later," Josh said.
They walked to the car and drove home.
"Nap or presents first," Josh asked.
"Shower, nap, then presents," Annie said.
"Do I get to shower with you," Josh asked.
"Do you want to," Annie asked.
"I always want to," Josh said.
Entering the house Annie picked up the kitten, "merry Christmas Milo."
The cat jumped down and Annie went to grab clean clothes from her dresser and join Josh in the shower.
At their house Owen carried an exhausted Teddy inside.
"The baby gets much bigger and you won't be able to carry me," Teddy said.
"I'll always carry you," Owen said he laid her down on their couch, "what do you want to do first?"
"Sleep then shower," Teddy said, "but I do have some Christmas presents for you before we go to Meghan's."
"Sleep first is a good idea," Owen said, "I'm tired and you're exhausted."
"I am," Teddy admitted, "come lay with me. I sleep better when you hold me."
"I will," Owen said, "I want a quick shower first."
"Go fast," Teddy said, "I need to brush my teeth."
"Get ready for bed first Teds," Owen said, "you need sleep more than I do."
"I won't be long," Teddy said, she grabbed a pair of pajamas from her dresser and went into the bathroom to get ready for a nap. She pulled on her soft comfortable pajama pants and the soft cotton tank top, the top hardly stretched over her stomach but she knew Owen liked seeing their baby.
Teddy stretched out on her side of the bed and tried to get comfortable.
A few hours later Annie and Josh got into the car in their pajamas.
"Why did we have to put clean pajamas on," Josh asked, "we showered right before we had our nap."
"Because we slept in those and you didn't wear pajamas," Annie said, "I need more coffee. We did not get enough sleep."
"That was one way to celebrate our first Christmas together," Josh said.
"It was," Annie smiled, "there's more when we get home."
"Now I don't want to go," Josh laughed.
"We have to," Annie said.
"I'm going to call my mom back while we drive," Josh said, "I missed her call earlier."
"Sure," Annie said.
Josh dialed his parents number.
"Hey mom it's Josh. just returning your call from earlier, sorry I missed it I had worked a 30 hour shift and was sleeping when you called. Annie and I are going to Uncle Nathan's to have Christmas dinner with him and Meghan and her family. Call me soon," Josh said, leaving the voice mail. That was the extent of his relationship with his parents' sporadic voicemails.
They pulled up in front of Meghna and Nathan's.
"Leave the spot in the driveway for mama and Owen," Annie said, "she looked like she was going to fall asleep standing up when we left work."
"That was not how I expected our night to go," Josh said.
"Which part? The surgery that she essentially let us do all but the most delicate part or when they played Santa with Webber," Annie asked.
"When they paged everyone to the conference room," Josh said, "that felt like a real family Christmas. The only time I had that growing up was when Nathan came to visit."
"That was some sort of Christmas magic," Annie agreed.
They knocked on the door and were let in by Faroke.
"What's with the Christmas PJ party," Annie asked.
"I thought everyone would be tired after working and that Teddy would be more comfortable," Meghan said.
"I like this idea," Teddy said as she walked in, "Owen isn't a fan of the festive pajamas."
"Because I don't wear pajamas," Owen said.
"I agree," Josh said, "the christmas theme is all Annie."
"Teddy," Owen laughed, "they've always loved Christmas."
"It's Christmas," Annie said, "it's a magical time of the year."
"It's our first Christmas as a family," Teddy said.
"It is," Evelyn said.
"Come in and sit down," Meghan said, "Teddy you worked all night come sit, put your feet up."
"Meghan I'm fine," Teddy said.
"How can we help," Annie asked.
"I could use some help getting some appetizers on the coffee table," Meghan said, "don't worry my mom told me about your allergies no strawberries and no cashews."
"There's always an epi pen in my purse," Annie said.
"Just your purse," Meghan asked.
"Locker at work, mama has one in the cupboard above her fridge, you mom has one in her upstairs bathroom, and our kitchen at home," Annie said.
"Do I need one," Meghan asked.
"There's only one at your moms because I forgot it after my subinternship," Annie said.
"Do you need it back Annie," Evelyn asked.
"No it was a spare," Annie said.
"I ordered the epi pen at our house," Teddy said, "I like knowing I have one for her just in case."
"I'm not 5," Annie said, "I've been dealing with my own allergies since I was 6 and could read the word cashew."
"Teddy come sit," Owen said.
"My back feels better standing," Teddy said.
Annie and Josh helped bring the appetizers to the coffee table.
"Red or white," Nathan asked the room.
"White please," Annie replied.
"Sparkling apple juice Teddy," Meghan asked.
"If it comes in a wine glass," Teddy said.
"It does," Meghan smiled.
"Then I'll take one," Teddy said.
"So 2 apple juice, 1 white and 4 reds," Nathan said.
"Don't open the white just for me," Annie said.
"Too late," Nathan said, "I already opened it."
"Thank you," Annie said.
"Mama can we finally open presents," asked Faroke.
"Everyone is here we can," Meghan said. Everyone settled on the couch and chairs. The room was filled with joy and peace as the family gathered. Teddy smiled looking across the room at Annie and Josh who were both curled up in an oversized chair with his arm around her and Annie's head on Josh's shoulder. They looked cozy and happy together. Teddy snuggled closer to Owen who held her tightly and she let herself relax into him.