With all of the doctors off for New Years they decided to go for the annual ski trip at Mt. Baker. Teddy sat inside with Evelyn wishing she could join the fun outside.
"I can't believe there's only three weeks until the baby's here," Teddy said.
"Are you doing alright," Evelyn asked.
"I'd like to be out in the snow with everyone," Teddy said, "but I'm afraid of falling on the ice."
"I have an idea for when everyone goes and skates on the pond later," Evelyn offered, "why don't we get Owen to drive over and you and I can sit on the tailgate with hot chocolate."
"I like that idea," Teddy agreed.
They watched the snow ball fight in the yard, it appeared to be a free for all of flying snow, they could hear the shouts and laughter through the window.
Annie stamped the snow off her boots and walked inside, "mama do you want to come for a short walk with me?"
"I'm worried about falling," Teddy said.
"You can hold my hand," Annie offered.
"I'll come but just a short one," Teddy agreed, she hauled herself out of her chair and grabbed her coat and hat, she was glad her snow boots just required her to slide her feet in.
"Let's go," Annie said with a smile.
"Not long Annie," Teddy said, "I'm not up to that today."
"Okay," Annie agreed.
They walked down the porch steps and told Owen what they were doing. He made Annie promise to make sure Teddy didn't over do it or fall.
"You wanted to talk to me," Teddy said, "away from everyone else."
"I did," Annie said, "I hardly see you anymore."
"What is this about," Teddy asked.
"Just my brain being weird again," Annie said, "I keep thinking about the last time we were here when I was 21."
"That was a good trip," Teddy agreed, "but I like this one better."
"Because Owen is yours," Annie asked.
"Yes, and you're healthy this time, Meghan is home, our baby will be here in three weeks," Teddy said.
"Faroke asked about the scar on my back at the pool last night," Annie said.
"What did you tell him," Teddy asked.
"That I had an accident a few years ago," Annie said, "he's 10."
"But Meghan asked me afterwards in the change room and I told her the truth," Annie said.
"That's why she asked me about your injuries last night," Teddy said, "I'm glad you told her what you were comfortable with."
"She only knows about my back," Annie said, "not the surgery story. She saw the scar but didn't ask."
"She's a trauma surgeon who has undergone much worse trauma then you did," Teddy said, "she will understand."
"One day," Annie said, "I don't want to be thought of as crazy as Jessica."
Teddy shook her head, "Meghan won't judge. That part of your story is part of your strength."
"Can I ask you something," Annie said.
"What do you want to know," Teddy asked.
Annie asked, "how did you know Owen was the one?"
Teddy laughed, "I fell in love with him the first time we scrubbed in together. Well at least I thought he was really hot. I was really disappointed when I found out he was engaged. "
"But how did you know he's your forever," Annie asked.
Teddy smiled, "when he flew halfway around the world because he missed me. He just wanted to see me smile so he flew around the world."
Annie asked, "before then nothing?"
Teddy replied, "the summer you were 19. That he would drop everything for me. That he cared enough to be there and to hold me together. Or we used to play a lot of soccer in the desert and I was always on his team he called me his good luck charm. He makes me feel loved and secure and safe. Owen makes me feel things no one else ever has. Why are you asking?"
Annie said, "I think Josh is the one."
Teddy asked, "why do you say that?"
"He's been my best friend for years but something changed. I like it. I love him and he makes me feel loved," Annie said.
"I can see the way he looks at you," Teddy said, "he loves you. You're relaxed with him."
"We understand each other," Annie said.
"He does," Teddy said, "I've watched you two work together or even at home. You have these silent unspoken things where you take care of each other. He'll have tea for you as soon as your back."
"Owen will have yours," Annie pointed out.
"He will," Teddy said, "but we've known each other a lot longer."
"He only really went to his place to sleep when we were in school," Annie said, "the only thing that's really changed on the surface is the physical side."
"I don't like asking you this but are you okay with the physical side," Teddy asked.
Annie nodded, "I am. He makes me feel safe. It's always my choice he would never do something I wasn't comfortable with. I'm not liking the twin beds in the loft at the cabin though."
Teddy laughed, "I can understand that."
Annie said, "I haven't slept in a twin bed since undergrad. And trying to cuddle in a twin bed some one is always falling off."
Teddy laughed, "I did not need to know the second part. You could just stay in your own beds."
"There's nothing happening other than cuddles," Annie said, "too many parents around."
"There's one parent," Teddy said.
"You and I see Owen as a sort of step dad," Annie said, "for Josh Nathan is more of a father then his dad ever was."
"So three parents," Teddy said.
Annie laughed, "exactly."
"Are things okay at home," Teddy asked.
"Better than okay," Annie said, "I'll tell you if things aren't."
Teddy asked, "are you sure you're okay with me, Owen and the baby?"
"For the last time mama I'm happy for you," Annie said, "I am getting tired of you asking me this."
"Okay, I'll try not to ask again," Teddy said.
"Do you two have to keep being cute at work," Annie asked.
"Does it bother you," Teddy asked.
Annie admitted, "sometimes. People notice and ask me questions."
"Only a couple more weeks," Teddy said, "then I'm off for 3 months."
"Only three months," Annie said.
"Why do you look shocked," Teddy said.
"Aren't you entitled to a year or are the rules different for doctors," Annie said.
"Is it a year in Canada," Teddy asked.
"It is," Annie said.
"I'm getting my full time off," Teddy said, "I'm only entitled to 12 weeks. I would have gotten more time if I was still with the army or in Germany."
"Will she go to the daycare at work," Annie asked.
"She will," Teddy said, "it works for us and I can go check on her."
"Can I be put on the list of adults that can go see her," Annie asked.
"I will do that," Teddy said, "because your there can I put you as an emergency contact for her?"
"You can but won't that be hard to explain," Annie said, "here's my baby. If you can't get a hold of me or her father. Call her big sister. Yes she's an adult, she's a 25 year old surgical intern."
"The whole hospital knows our story," Teddy said.
"What about the other parents," Annie said.
"I don't care," Teddy said.
"What are you going to do tomorrow when we go skiing," Annie asked.
"I'm making Owen go," Teddy said, "he doesn't want to. Evelyn and I will get stuff ready for New Year's Eve then you'll all come back, get changed and we'll celebrate."
"I think we're taking two cars up," Annie said, "Josh, Owen and I then Nathan, Meghan and Faroke."
"Meghan thinks they'll only do a half day," Teddy said, "she hasn't been on the mountain in years and Faroke has never skied."
"Josh snowboards but he's not very good," Annie said.
"So you'll ski with Owen," Teddy asked.
"A few good runs at least," Annie said, "it's been 3 or 4 years."
"He's looking forward to it," Teddy said, "spending time with you away from Josh or the flock of interns."
"Flock are we sheep," Annie asked.
"Ducklings," Teddy said, "or chicks."
"Then are you our mother hen," Annie asked, "your most people's favorite attending. Because you treat us like people and actually know things about everyone. You care more than the others do."
"It's different for me," Teddy said, "it's my first intern class back in Seattle and I have a different connection to this class because of you. I'm trying to do what I would want other Attendings to do for you."
Annie said, "I wish they would watch you teach. Grey could use some pointers so could Karev. Nathan is similar to you. And Owens bark is worse than his bite."
"Richard asked me and Nathan to do something that I think is a good idea," Teddy said, "in addition to having a resident for each group of interns he'd like to start having an attending or two that aren't him for each class of interns that would be your go to attending for your first couple of years before you specialize."
"So you'd move with us until fourth year," Annie asked.
"I would," Teddy said, "is that okay with you. I told Richard I had to talk to you before I accepted."
"I like it," Annie said, "my friends all go to you anyway. How many already call you mama Altman."
"Most," Teddy laughed, "I can tell right away who's your friend or who listened to Edwards and doesn't trust us by that alone."
They walked back to the cabin just catching up and chatting about the little things they used to text about all the time but had stopped now that they were in the same city.
"I've missed our chats," Teddy said, "you have to start coming by more or we need to do lunch together more often."
"I can't eat lunch with my mama at work. I'd be the biggest nerd in the intern class," Annie said.
"On your days off I want you around more," Teddy said, "I'll be home for a while, stop by for coffee, come talk and tell me what's going on."
The next morning Annie was sitting with Owen on the long chair lift that would take them to the far side of the mountain.
"Annie can I talk to you about something," Owen asked.
"Do I need to be worried," Annie asked.
"No," Owen said, "it's something happy I want to ask you."
"What are you asking me," Annie asked, looking extremely confused.
"I want to ask Teddy to marry me," Owen said, "but I need to make sure you're okay with it before I do. She won't unless you're okay with it."
"Okay," Annie asked, "I'm thrilled. You two belong together."
"So it's good with you," Owen asked.
"When are you going to ask her," Annie said, "do you have a ring?"
"Soon and I do," Owen said.
"Do it fast I don't know if I can keep this a secret from her," Annie said.
"You'll keep it a secret it's classified information," Owen said.
"Fast, she always knows when I'm not telling her something," Annie said.
"You know nothing," Owen said.
"I know nothing," Annie replete with a laugh.
"You ready for the big moguls," Owen asked.
"Always," Annie said as she hopped off the chair lift, "can you keep up?"
"Race you," Owen said.
Annie hopped into her first turn cutting under the chairlift and down the steep face. Her body remembering what to do and how to ski it was second nature.
On the chair lift back up Annie asked, "if you marry mama are you okay with me being around? I don't disappear."
"Annie you've been family since you were 19," Owen said, "Teddy and I talk about our girls, you and the baby. I want you around. I would miss you if you disappeared."
"Really," Annie asked.
"Really," Owen said, "I know why you question but I'm not Dan. You are part of our family. We love you and want you around."
"Promise," Annie asked.
"I promise," Owen said, "and I know mama has. We are here for you and on your side no matter what."
"Thank you," Annie said.
"You don't have to worry about finding your place here," Owen said, "you have one and always will. Our family is just going to get bigger with the baby and Josh is part of it two."
"Even Josh," Annie said.
"Josh two," Owen said, "I've seen the two of you. He makes you happy."
"He does," Annie said.
"Let's do a couple more of these runs and the go meet the rest of the group," Owen said.
"I want to get Josh off the blue runs," Annie said.
"Don't push him too hard," Owen said.
"He can do it," Annie said, "single black no doubles."
"We should do a few as a family on the greens," Owen said.
"Can I still go fast," Annie asked.
"You ski at one speed," Owen said.
"I was taught to ski by a competitive skier, go fast, go hard or go home," Annie said.
Owen laughed. They finished a few more challenging runs and joined the rest of the group on the beginner slopes.
That night the family was gathered in the living room playing games and enjoying treats. At midnight they watched the ball drop.
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"Happy New Year," the whole room erupted.
Each couple turned to kiss each other, Evelyn gave Faroke a peck on the cheek.
After kissing Teddy, Owen knelt beside the couch. He pulled a box from his pocket.
The room fell silent.
Owen began, "Theodora Grace Altman. You are the love of my life. I love you more then I knew it was possible to love someone else. I have loved you since the day we met."
"Owen," Teddy gasped.
Owen continued, " Teddy I love you. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives. You are my person, my best friend. You make things real. You make me feel things no one else ever has. Theodora Grace Altman will you marry me?"
Teddy threw her arms around him shouting, "yes. Owen James Hunt I will marry you."
"I need your hand Teds," Owen said.
"Of course," Teddy beamed, she extended her left hand. Owen slid the ring on her finger.
"It's perfect," Teddy said.
Meghan gasped and whispered to Evelyn, "mom that's your ring."
Evelyn nodded.
"There's a story to this ring," Owen said sitting on the couch beside Teddy and pulling her into his lap.
"What's the story," Teddy asked.
"You're not the first person to wear this ring," Owen said, "it's the ring my dad gave my mom and the one my grandpa gave to my grandma."
"Evelyn," Teddy said, "why me?"
"I knew the day I met you that you belonged with Owen," Evelyn said, "I wish it hadn't taken you two so long to figure it out. The day I met you I knew that was your ring sweetheart. Congratulations both of you."
"Thank you," Teddy said, "I love it. It's perfect."
Teddy gave Owen another kiss.
"Get a room," Meghan teased.
Teddy looked around the room, she saw Annie beaming at her and Owen. Josh's arms were wrapped around Annie and his chin was resting on the top of her head. Annie was using her sleeve to wipe tears from her eyes.
"Annie," Teddy asked.
Annie bounded across the room and hugged Teddy and Owen, "congratulations. This is exciting."
"Thank you sweetheart it is," Teddy said.
"Thanks Annie," Owen said.
"Can I see it," Annie asked.
"Of course," Teddy said and showed Annie her hand.
"Mama it's gorgeous," Annie gushed, "absolutely perfect."
"Teddy I need to see it on you," Evelyn said crowding in. Meghan pushed forward as well so they could all look and admire the ring. Teddy's heart was full; she had never felt so loved in her life.
"I want to keep celebrating with everyone, " Teddy said, "but it's time for me to go to bed."
"We should all go to bed," Evelyn agreed, she saw Faroke asleep on the loveseat.
Meghan leaned into Nathan, "our son fell asleep in all the excitement."
Nathan picked up the little boy, "let's get you to bed mate."
Meghan followed them down the hall after hugging Teddy and Owen one last time.
"We'll clean up," Annie said.
"It'll take us 5 minutes," Josh added.
"Thank you," Evelyn said before saying goodnight to the newly engaged Teddy and Owen before going to bed herself."
"Good night mama," Annie said, "congratulations again. I'm really happy for you."
"Thank you sweetheart," Teddy said.
"Good night Uncle Owen," Annie said, giving Owen a hug, she whispered, "thanks for not making me keep that secret for too long."
Owen chuckled, "good night Annie."
Owen took Teddy's hand and led her to their room softly closing the door behind them.
Teddy whispered, "we're actually engaged. I'm marrying Owen Hunt."
Owen kissed her, "you are. We're getting married."
"This summer," Teddy said.
"If that's what you want," Owen said, "I will marry you any time."
"How are we going to celebrate," asked Teddy.
"Can you be quiet," Owen asked.
"I can," Teddy giggled, "I don't know about you."
"I can if you can," Owen said.
Teddy wrapped her arms around him again and pulled him into a passionate kiss. This was her Owen.
Annie and Josh finished tidying the living room and climbed the stairs to the loft.
"You okay with your mama and Owen," Josh asked.
"I am," Annie said, "that should have happened years ago. They belong together. They always have. I'm happy for them."
"That will be us one day babe," Josh promised.
"One day," Annie agreed, "we should go to bed it's after two and we promised to take Faroke tubing tomorrow."
"Where are you sleeping," Josh asked.
"With you," Annie said, "I always sleep better with you."
"Get in then, you can have the wall side," Josh said.
Annie slid between the covers and Josh followed. They made out for a while not wanting to go beyond that without a door on the loft and one side having a mere railing separating it from the room below. They fell asleep in each other's arms, her head on his chest.
Down stairs Teddy giggled.
"I've pictured this many times but never with you laughing," Owen said.
"I'm marrying Owen Hunt," Teddy laughed, "I'm in Owen Hunt's bed naked. I'm in your bed naked, we're engaged and I'm having your baby."
Owen chuckled, "you did that in Germany the night we made her."
"What did I do," Teddy asked.
"Laughed about me being in your bed," Owen replied.
"Owen are you happy," Teddy asked snuggling as close as her belly would allow.
"I am," Owen said, "are you?"
"I am," Teddy said.
Teddy shivered.
"Are you cold," Owen asked.
"Missing your arms," Teddy said.
"I'll switch you sides so we're on our usual sides of the bed then I can hold you," Owen said.
He carefully crawled over Teddy while she scooted over. When Owen was laying down with his arms around her he whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too," Teddy whispered back. She took his hand and moved it to her stomach, "I think Allison is happy two."
"She's definitely active," Owen said, "she knows mama and daddy are happy."
"That really happened," Teddy asked, "that's real? All of this is real?"
"It is," Owen said, "you, me, Allison and Annie. Our family, that's real Teddy."
Teddy sighed contentedly, "that was perfect, I couldn't have imagined a more perfect proposal. I'm glad our family was here to celebrate with us."
Owen whispered into her hair, "I'm glad you liked it. Good night Teds."
"Good night Owen," Teddy whispered back.