Teddy was getting bored being home with an often sleeping baby all day. She pulled up the call schedule for the interns in the hospital app and saw that Annie should be off before going in at 6am the next day for a 36 hour shift.

Teddy texted Annie, "are you free today for coffee or a walk?"

Annie, "I was about to call but thought you would be with Ali."

Teddy, "sleeping in her bassinet. What's your plan for today?"

Annie, "I have nothing big. Some errands, long run, laundry, house work."

Teddy, "short run then come walk with us. I want your company. I haven't seen you in a couple weeks."

Annie, "I've been on neuro you know how she is. Short run means a long walk."

Teddy, "go for your run then come. We should be able to go in 90 minutes."

Annie, "I'll come hang out and run after then."

Teddy, "see you soon."

Annie, "I'm still in pjs so I'll get dressed and come over. Stopping at Starbucks do you want anything?"

Teddy, "my usual but decaf."

Annie, "still decaf?"

Teddy, "I've had a lot of coffee already."

Annie, "leaving in 20"

Teddy, "see you soon."

Teddy looked over at Allison sleeping her bassinet. The baby looked peaceful. Teddy loved both her girls and was feeling a bit guilty about not spending more time with Annie recently. She had gotten used to seeing her most days at the hospital. Teddy had been home with Allison for six weeks, there were days she was lonely with Owen back at work and trying to take care of the baby. She would never tell him but she was still overwhelmed by how dependent Allison was. Allison was six weeks old and was in more of a predictable routine for feeding and sleeping, she was starting to be more alert and responsive when talked to or Teddy played with her.

Annie let herself into Teddy's.

"Mama, Ali bean," Annie called.

"Shh," Teddy hissed, "she's still sleeping."

"I came at nap time," Annie asked.

"One of many," Teddy smiled, "I thought you and I could have lunch, you can give Allison a bottle and play with then our walk. She'll sleep in the stroller."

Annie asked, "how long until she wakes up?"

Teddy replied, "she's been down about an hour and a half so 20 minutes or so. When she wakes up I have a few bottles if you want to give her one."

"I'd love to feed her and snuggle her," Annie said, "I don't see her enough. I thought you wanted Josh and I to baby sit soon."

"I'm having a hard time leaving her," Teddy replied, "she's so little she can go anywhere with us right now."

"I need to spend more time with her," Annie said, "I haven't been here in two weeks."

"You're here today and we have family photos on Sunday," Teddy said.

Annie rolled her eyes, " I'm off but I'm really not a fan of family photo day. That never goes well."

"Me, Owen, Allison, you," Teddy said.

"Still not impressed," Annie said, "and you used up your allotment at my graduation."

"You said for the year then," Teddy said, "it's March that's a new year."

"12 months from the date of the last picture," Annie said.

"What is it going to take for you to do this," Teddy asked, "why are you fighting me on this?"

Annie replied, "I hate being photographed and family photos always highlight how much I don't fit. How I never looked like anyone else. It always became a time for Jessica to point out how I don't fit and to make fun of my hair or my clothes."

Teddy said, "you look like me and I see you in Allison as well. We want to do this with our girls. This has nothing to do with us does it?"

"Not you or Owen and Allison," Annie admitted.

Teddy asked, "when have I asked you to do something that I thought would put you in any sort of danger?"

Annie replied, "never."

Teddy asked, "can you do this for me? I want a photo of our family and one of my girls. I promise no one will tease you. All you have to do is show up and look cute."

Annie asked, "what do I have to wear?"

Teddy smiled, "We're keeping it simple. Jeans and a blue shirt you have that. I've seen a few cute blue tops recently. Black boots or flats, all things you have."

Annie nodded, "I do. You don't even need me for all of them. Most are Allison's baby pictures anyway right?"

"That was my thought," Teddy agreed.

"I can do that," Annie said.

"It's only an hour anyway," Teddy said, "for lunch Evelyn dropped off some chicken soup yesterday do you want a bowl of that?"

"I'll heat it," Annie said.

Teddy smiled, "I can do it. Well eat, Allison will wake up you can give her a bottle while I do a couple things then we can walk."

Annie replied, "sounds good. What time Sunday? I'm getting a haircut at 9:30.

Teddy asked, "how much are you cutting off?"

"Probably back to the middle of my ribs, the bottom of my bra length," Annie said, gesturing where she was thinking of cutting her hair."

"That would be good," Teddy said, "it's been a few years since you took any length off."

Annie said, "honestly third year was the last time I took more than half an inch off. I haven't had it cut at all since I left Boston."

"Photos are at 2 so you have lots of time," Teddy said, "now I want to see if I can get mine cut before the photos. I haven't had mine cut in a few months."

"I'm looking forward to it," Annie said, "Cassidy gave me her hairdressers name and number. Cassidy's hair always looks awesome but she gets it cut every 6 or 8 weeks."

Allison started crying upstairs.

"I'll go get her and change her," Teddy said, "there's bottles in the fridge , take the one on the left and heat it."

Annie asked, "are you sure you want me to give her a bottle. Last time I did Owen was upset because it was one less he could give her."

Teddy said, "there's more in the fridge now and he's working a 24. It's the first one of those I don't like him being gone over night with Allison."

Annie asked, "do you want to bring Allison to our house and have dinner with us? I was going to do a build your own burrito night. Josh and I are home so is Duncan, his girlfriend might come, Jenna and Cassidy are coming. I think Jeremy might be there."

"I'll come for burritos," Teddy said, "your sister will come for snuggles. I need to go get her before she screams."

Teddy walked up the stairs to get the crying baby.

"Hi pretty girl," Teddy said, "let's get you all cleaned up then Annie has a bottle for your lunch."

Allison kept crying while teddy changed her diaper and put a clean onesie on her.

"I know you're hungry but Annie really wants to give you a bottle," Teddy said, "you love your big sister. Baby girl it's the same stuff in the bottle or from me. Be nice and let your sister feed you please don't have the tantrum you did for daddy the other day."

Teddy carried Allison down and Annie met them with the bottle.

"How does she like being held," Annie asked.

"Just cradle her and feed her," Teddy said, "she's not a nicu baby who needs it all perfect."

"Okay," Annie said. She took Allison from Teddy and sat down on the couch.

"Ali bean are you hungry," Annie asked, "your bottle is all ready."

Annie held the bottle against the baby's mouth and Allison began to drink.

Teddy smiled leaning over the back of the couch, "my girls."

"She's gotten so much bigger," Annie said, "she's actually looking at me."

Teddy laughed, "being busy for the last two weeks you missed a lot."

Annie nodded, "you know your big sister don't you Ali bean."

Teddy said, "she does. She loves you. She's not that calm for Evelyn or Meghan."

"Her big sister is her favorite person," Annie said.

Teddy laughed, "maybe."

Annie asked, "will she eat the whole bottle?"

Teddy said, "she slept through one of her middle of the night feedings and has been really hungry today she'll eat it all."

Annie said, "let you sleep more though."

"I woke up anyway," Teddy said, "I've adapted to her schedule."

"You've never slept much," Annie pointed out.

"This last year is probably the most I've slept," Teddy said, "Owen makes sure I sleep, he reminds me to rest and take it easy. He'll carry me to bed if I start dozing on the couch."

"Josh wakes me up and sends me to bed if I fall asleep on the couch," Annie said, "I don't sleep well when he's not home."

"He makes you feel safe," Teddy said.

"He does," Annie said, "I've never felt this safe and loved."

Teddy asked, "are you still happy with Josh?"

Annie beamed, "I am. Him and I have been talking about marriage and kids one day. We know we're interns and should finish residency first."

Teddy said, "you two could get married as residents. There's lots of couples that do. It's not easy as a surgeon to have a solid relationship take your time. You and Josh know each other so well."

Annie asked, "are you and Owen okay?"

Teddy smiled, "We're good. But wedding planning with a newborn is hard."

Annie asked, "how are the plans coming?"

Teddy said, "good but I need to ask you about something."

Annie said, "if your asking me to be a bridesmaid I'm

In."

"I was going to ask you that," Teddy smiled, "do you want to do it? Meghan is my maid of honor and I'm going to ask Arizona."

Annie said, "I'm in. I'll text Meghan about the shower and bachelorette."

"No bachelorette craziness," Teddy said, "I'm 46 with a newborn."

"One day," Annie said," manicures, pedicures, dinner somewhere, a few bottles of wine."

Teddy thought, "that might be doable."

Annie said, "I'll talk to Meghan. What else can I help with?"

Teddy said, "you'll need a dress but I know intern budgets Owen and I will buy that."

"Thank you mama," Annie said.

Annie asked, "have you picked colors?"

Teddy smiled, "emerald and black."

Annie laughed, "those were my high school colours. Do you also have anthropomorphic panthers?"

Teddy laughed, "panthers?"

"The school mascot," Annie explained, "panthers rock and we always had to have panther pride. Paws was a 6 foot tall panther in jeans, a plaid shirt and cowboy hat."

Teddy laughed, "you've never told me about that."

"It was silly," Annie said, "Chris played football and basketball for the school."

"You weren't a cheerleader were you," Teddy asked.

"Never. Those girls were annoying, I was on the dance team, student council, student leadership and in the musical," Annie said.

Teddy laughed, "good."

"I think she finished the bottle," Annie said.

"Pass her to me to burp then you can play with Allison," Teddy said.

Annie asked, "what does she play with?"

Teddy replied, "she should have some tummy time before we go for our walk is that okay or are you in a rush?"

Annie said, "no rush. I want the day with you and Allison."

Teddy asked, "can you spread her blanket on the floor?"

Annie spread the blanket on the floor and sat on it waiting for her baby sister. Teddy laid Allison on her tummy on the floor then sat back on the couch watching for a second.

"Annie are you okay with Allison if I go upstairs and do a couple things," Teddy asked, "maybe 20 minutes or so."

"I want to play with her," Annie said, "where are her books?"

Teddy pointed to the basket under the TV.

Annie grabbed a couple of board books and sat on the floor and began reading to Allison.

Teddy walked upstairs and into her bedroom. She quickly made the bed and started a load of laundry before sitting down to pump. She would have preferred to have just fed Allison herself but knew that she needed to create bonding moments for Annie and Allison. Giving Allison a bottle and sitting with her during tummy time would let Annie connect with Allison. Annie would never ask for those moments with Allison, she knew Annie would never ask for those moments, that Annie was afraid of forcing herself into their family. Annie was still passive and needed invitations to come over or spend time with them. Teddy also wanted some one on one time to check in with Annie to make sure she was truly doing as well as she said. She was also looking forward to seeing her interns later for dinner at Annie's and knew Allison would be passed around by most of the young doctors.

When Teddy went back downstairs half an hour later she saw both girls lying on the floor looking at each other. From halfway up the stairs teddy took a quick picture and sent it to Owen. Allison's little legs were bent and her feet were close together, Annie was laying in a full frog stretch with her feet together nearly touching her bottom and her knees out to the side. Annie's physical flexibility always surprised Teddy. Laying on the floor Annie had her head on her arms and was talking to Allison. Annie had positioned Allison's arms so they were laying the same way on the floor.

"It looks like you have good turn out baby bean," Annie said to Allison, "maybe once you're walking and can jump auntie Meghan and I can teach you to dance and when you're big enough you'll wear the same National costume Meghan and I did. It's in my closet and when you're big enough for it we'll pass it to you and your nana can put your name in the lining with Meghan's name, my old name and the name I actually use. I don't know where your turn out comes from. I tried to get mama to do it once and she was hopeless maybe it's on your daddy's side. What do you think about mama and your daddy getting married this summer? I'm really excited, they should have been together years ago but they were stubborn and didn't want to see it."

The baby kept looking at Annie as she talked.

Annie continued, "you and mama are coming to my house tonight for dinner. Well I'm making mama dinner, she's still in charge of your food. I'll make you treats when you're bigger and can have real food. Tonight I'm making burritos. The chicken is already in the crock pot to slow cook and I'll just have to cook the rice and cut up a few things when I get home. There's going to be a few people you haven't met yet there tonight. Jenna and Cassidy can't wait to see you and give you snuggles but I don't want to share my baby sister. I'm so busy at the hospital with your daddy and auntie Meghan and uncle Nathan I hardly get to see you. I miss seeing mama at work everyday. The whole time I was in school we were in different countries or on opposite sides of the country and texted and called to keep in touch and it was fine but after working with her this year most days and watching you grow I miss seeing mama every day."

Sitting on the couch Teddy said, "Annie that can't be good for your hips. And I miss working with you every day as well. We got used to seeing each other."

Annie replied, "it's a frog stretch, it's really comfortable. I've fallen asleep in my frog before. Ask Josh I lay like this on the floor or our bed to study. I just have good turnout. Allison is trying to copy it. How long until you come back to work?"

Teddy replied, "I have six more weeks at home then a slow transition back over a couple weeks to get Allison used to daycare."

"It seems like you've been gone a long time," Annie said.

"I'm torn," Teddy said, "I miss being at work and seeing people but I love my days with Allison. I want more time with my girls."

"I wish I could come over more," Annie said, "but I feel like I'm intruding."

"Text and tell me you're coming," Teddy said, "I can always tell you if it's not a good time. But when have I ever said no?"

"Never," Annie replied.

"You need to trust me," Teddy said, "and trust Owen. We want you here, we wish you came over more."

"I do but I don't want to over step," Annie said, "you'd get sick of me."

"I never will," Teddy said. Allison began to cry.

"What's wrong Ali bean," Annie asked, "am I ignoring you?"

"That's a hungry cry," Teddy said, "but she just ate. I'll try to feed her and see if it helps."

Annie passed Allison to Teddy.

"You may need to heat her another bottle," Teddy said, "I just put a new one i pumped upstairs in the fridge that won't even be cold yet."

"That makes no sense," Annie said, "you told me to give her a bottle then hid to pump another one. Why didn't you just feed her?"

"I wanted you to have that time with your sister to give her a bottle," Teddy said, "you two need those moments together it's making memories for the two of you."

"You don't create those moments," Annie said, "they'll happen when they happen. Like her first snow."

"I want to," Teddy said, "I feel like you're pulling away from me since Allison was born and I don't understand why."

Annie nodded, "I didn't want to overwhelm you. I thought you and Uncle Owen wanted some time to bond with Allison on your own. And he's been in major bossy pants mode and all stressed at work so I didn't want to add to it. Meghan called him major pain in the ass yesterday. Plus people are gossiping about you and Owen again."

"Meghan told me about the gossip," Teddy said, "you know there's no truth to it. I need you to be completely open with me about why you're not coming over. You're not even texting as much as you usually do."

"Other than being on neuro," Annie said, " Ameila has had me doing over 100 hours a week. I thought I texted you that I was fighting a cold and I didn't want to give it to Allison. She has no immune system yet."

"There's more," Teddy said.

"I don't want to intrude," Annie said, "I'd just be forcing myself into your family. I'm the consolation prize and the second choice you have a real baby now. I don't want to make a mistake or say the wrong thing and have you reject me. I'm scared of letting you down so I stay away."

Teddy settled back into the couch, "you're never intruding, I worry when I don't hear from you it doesn't feel right. You are not a second choice you are always my first baby, my oldest daughter. My girls both need me just very differently. You can't let me down Annie, I'm always on your side. You can't hide from me. I always know when something is bothering you. I Worley when I don't hear from you or get pictures of your day. It really bothers me when you're not talking to me. You've been a turtle at work what's up?"

"Who told you," Annie asked.

"Owen and Meghan," Teddy said, "what's going on?"

"It's not a big deal," Annie said, "I'm just trying to figure out where I fit and there's so much drama and gossip that it's better for me to be quiet and observe then get in the middle of things."

"Gossip about what," Teddy asked.

"I only got in because of you and Owen," Annie said, "that Bailey didn't want to take me but you and Owen made her. I know it's not true but it's still hard to hear. "

"When does Bailey ever do something she doesn't want to do or isn't in the best interest of her patients," Teddy asked, "you may have gotten an interview on your name for the sub internship but you proved yourself for those three weeks. They knew you as Annabeth McKellar only Owen knew about the name change. Getting the sub internship and then your residency at GSM that's all you sweetheart you did the work. The emails I was getting from Arizona about how strong you were were impressive, Callie was also impressed. She didn't recognize you as the same girl that followed me and Owen through the hospital asking a thousand questions. They wanted you. They see what I've seen for years. Bailey and Webber wouldn't accept you or have you in the program if they didn't think you could do it. They said the same things about Meredith and Jackson that their name helped and got them their spots."

"I feel like I'm judged so much more harshly because it's not just a name. My mama is on staff and so is my step dad," Annie said.

"Stick with uncle Owen," Teddy said, "he hates the term step dad. Your family, we don't do step dad unless it's on your emergency contact form, even then any one in our department will know to get me first, then Josh or Owen and if we can't be found Nathan and Meghan. My form is Owen, then you followed by Meghan and Nathan last."

"I checked the box for the attending to make whatever calls they thought were necessary to keep me alive," Annie said, "but I also checked the donor box."

"I know I've checked the donor box," Teddy said, "I'm 99% sure Owen has as well. It's important to make sure that's clear in writing."

Annie asked, "why does everyone think they can talk about our family all the time at work?"

Teddy replied, "it's an unusual situation. People like things to talk about."

"I still hate the gossip," Annie said.

"Hospitals are bad for gossip," Teddy admitted, "I've been the topic of it many times. You're going to keep your chin up, look people in the eye, smile and do your absolute best work every day. Then come by after your shift and tell me about it. "

"I don't want to intrude," Annie said, "Allison needs her time with you and Owen."

"She needs to know her big sister two," Teddy said, "and I miss you. I need my Annie."

"Why because no one else tells you when you have spit up on your shirt," Annie teased.

"You're just telling me now," Teddy asked.

"Just teasing you," Annie said, "your fine this time."

Teddy rolled her eyes, "Annie that's not funny. As soon as she's done we'll go for our walk. I think she's more wanting me to hold her than actual food. She does that."

"So you have two of us that need mama," Annie said.

Teddy smiled, "very differently but I do. The contrast between my newborn and my 25 year old is mind boggling some days. I have the baby who just wants food and cuddles. Then there's I want to do more surgeries but I'm torn between cardio, trauma or peds and by the way mama my boyfriend and I are talking about marriage."

Annie asked, "if Josh and I decided to get married what would you say?"

Teddy replied, "I'd be happy for you if that's what you want. It has to be what you want and what makes you happy sweetheart."

Annie said, "I'd like to but not going to happen intern year or even as residents. But people say we act like we're married."

Teddy smiled, "you have a total married couple thing going on. It's not that we've almost been together for a year honeymoon period. You two know each other and can read each other's feelings across the room. You don't need to speak. You both know what the other is thinking."

"Honestly we were basically a couple in Boston," Annie said, "we just didn't kiss or anything like that."

Teddy laughed, "I saw it when I did that first lecture and you were sitting with him. You looked like a couple. I was a little confused and hurt you hadn't told me. Then you tell me that's just Josh."

"I should have told him sooner," Annie said, "it's almost a year I need to do something special."

Teddy smiled, "I need to start thinking of that two but I have until August. I need to do something special for Owen."

Annie asked, "Allison wasn't enough?"

Teddy shook her head, "just him and I. Something romantic. He's so good at it and I've never been able to do that."

Annie laughed, "I use Pinterest for cute date ideas."

Teddy asked, "if I wanted to go out for dinner just Owen and I would you babysit?"

Annie said, "tell me when and if I'm off I will. I'll come here. It's probably better for Allison to be in her own space."

"How much do you even pay a babysitter," Teddy asked.

"When it's family nothing but we get to help ourselves to your fridge," Annie said.

Teddy laughed, "you want brownies."

Annie nodded, "always. I think you left something out of the recipe because I can't make them taste like yours. "

"Mamas love," Teddy said.

"That's not an ingredient," Annie pointed out.

Teddy said, "then why can't we get the short bread to taste like evelyns?"

"I blamed different ingredients," Annie said, "we used German butter. It tasted different than butter does here."

"You May have a point there," Teddy said, "I'm going to bundle Allison up then we'll go for a walk. We need fresh air."

Annie grabbed her coat and shoes from the entryway and stood beside the stroller. Teddy pushed the stroller outside and smiled. She was finally going for a walk with her girls.

Teddy sent Owen a text, "going for a walk with the girls. Will call you after."

Owen," what are you going to do tonight?"

Teddy, "Annie invited me for dinner with my interns. It's burrito night. I'll make them brownies if I can."

Owen, "there's something up with your intern group. They may need you. Meg is checking in with each of them tomorrow."

Teddy, "I'll talk to them. They'll start talking over dinner. It's like Annie, give them food and they open up."

Owen, "I'm heading to the OR call me later. And hug the girls for me. I love you."

Teddy, "I will. I love you more."