Please make sure you've read 114,115,116 and 117 before reading this chapter.
Friday morning Teddy stretched out in bed beside Owen, "we have the house to ourselves."
"We do," Owen replied, looping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him.
"No kids until Sunday," Teddy whispered.
"No talking about kids now," Owen said as he began to kiss her neck.
Teddy murmured, "that feels nice."
She let him keep kissing her neck and shoulders for a few minutes before rolling over and capturing his lips with her own. Owen ran his hand down her side and slid it under her shirt. Teddy rocked her hips to meet his and felt his arousal. They didn't often get lazy mornings in bed together and they were going to enjoy it. Owen kissed along her jaw and down her neck and across her collarbone towards her breasts. She wove her fingers through his hair and felt him pull her tank top to the side. Teddy ground against him wanting to feel him against her.
"More please," Teddy moaned before sitting up and pulling off her top.
Owen marveled at her. she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. They let their hands wander for a few minutes before teddy pushed the last of Owens' clothes off and he helped her out of hers. It reminded them of Germany when they had all night to be together and to explore each other's bodies. They spent the morning in bed enjoying being together before showering together.
Josh parked his truck in front of the cabin and Annie leapt into the snow. He liked the mountain and skiing but she was in love with snow no matter where it fell. Josh assumed the snow thing was genetic because Teddy and Allison got equally excited about the snow. It was one of those things that Josh thought proved the nature side of the nature vs nurture debate because as long as he had known Annie she had loved the snow, while others complained about long snowy winters Annie had reveled in the snow. They carried their stuff into the cabin.
"Where are we staying," Josh asked.
"Evelyn just cleaned out the storage room and put a bed in there for us," Annie replied, "no more loft for us."
"New Years was the last time in the loft," Josh cheered.
"It was," Annie smiled, "good bye twin beds. So Faroke is going to the loft for the next family trip."
"It's about time," Josh said.
"For us to have our room," Annie laughed, "but I thought she'd make us wait until we're married."
"Nate and Meg, Teddy and Owen were all engaged," Josh said.
"Last summer," Annie said, "New Years."
"I don't know," Josh said.
"But Evelyn said I could bring our sleeping bags and stuff up and leave them here. Our skis are here but we can leave the stuff we only use at the cabin in our room," Annie said.
"That will make it easier," Josh agreed.
They put their stuff in their room.
"It's bigger than I thought," Josh said.
"It is without all the old bins and stuff," Annie agreed.
"I never saw her use anything from this room," Josh pointed out.
"People's skis and snow gear were in here but we can put it all back in here before we go home, " Annie replied.
"Owen said he moved it all to everyone's rooms," Josh said.
"So unload here then grab the snowshoes from the shed and go walk around," Annie suggested.
"Take a snow picnic," Josh asked.
"We could. I brought both thermoses and there's the chilli," Annie replied, "I'll get our food put away and you make our bed?"
"Sounds good," Josh replied, walking away to make their bed. He was done with that before Annie had lunch ready so decided to chop more kindling to be ready for a fire when they came in. He was looking forward to a cozy night in front of a real fire with her. Wine, roasting marshmallows and cuddling. Being away just the two of them Annie would fully relax.
In Seattle Teddy and Owen were enjoying their day off. After their lazy morning they walked hand in hand along the waterfront stopping to kiss from time to time.
"When was the last time we were alone," Owen asked.
"Too long," Teddy replied, "it seems like someone always wants one of us."
"The interruptions are driving me crazy," Owen said.
"Why do you think I convinced Meghan to take the kids overnight," Teddy laughed.
"Meghan wants more kids," Owen said, "but usually you get Annie to take them."
"They went to the cabin a couple ski days before things get busy again," Teddy explained, "your mom told them to move their stuff into the old storage room. That's their space now."
"Mom was going to keep them in the loft until their wedding but I convinced her that since the space is ready Annie and Josh should have it," Owen said.
"I didn't know that till yesterday I told her they could use our room since it's just the two of them," Teddy replied.
"You did what," Owen asked.
"We're not there," Teddy replied, "it's Annie and Josh, their adults. They've really matured."
"He's matured since their sub internship but Annie is not the shy little girl in the library at UBC anymore," Owen said.
"She's not," Teddy said, "I was so nervous that day. All I wanted was to see her smile. We both had 19 years of wonders and what ifs. I actually followed her to the library that day. I knew it was her on the path. I just knew that was my baby. But it was hard I had seen pictures but the last time I had actually seen her she was a six pound one ounce newborn. She looked at me once then closed her little eyes. In my heart she had always been my baby to the 19 year old at UBC was a jump."
"You looked so happy that day," Owen said, "I couldn't stop watching you and how happy you looked."
"I had no clue what to expect with her. I thought maybe we could become friends, I didn't expect to truly be her mama. I actually thought she'd be angry and think I abandoned her," Teddy said.
"She was never angry about it," Owen said, "we've talked about that before. She even says in the same position she would have made the same choice."
"Had she gotten in the same position I would have moved closer to her and helped as much as I could so she could have kept her baby," Teddy said.
Owens' phone buzzed in his pocket with an email. He pulled it out to look.
"Teds it's the mckellars they got back to me," Owen said.
Teddy asked, "can you read it first make sure I'm not going to try to drive up there and give them a piece of my mind."
Owen read the email, "their oblivious . They have no clue she's been reaching out."
Teddy took his phone and read the email.
Dear Owen and Teddy
We were surprised to get your email. It has been a while since Annie has reached out to us with any news about her life. We haven't spoken to her in over two years the last time we spoke was Christmas Eve in 2015 and she was working with you at the hospital that night. We also have not been receiving any emails from her in the last 18 months. So either she stopped emailing or isn't using the right email address. We would appreciate you passing our correct email address and new cell phone numbers to her.
We are glad to hear she's doing well and has chosen a specialty she is passionate about. It seems like she's combined the best of all three of us working with children's hearts. It sounds like she is happy and doing well at work but you said very little about her life away from the hospital. We appreciated the photo of her in her scrubs and lab coat and with her younger siblings. Both girls look a lot like you and your little guy looks like Owen. Annie's left hand appeared to have a ring on it in your family photo. Is she engaged? Is there a special person in her life?
Sincerely,
Dan and Leslie McKellar
Teddy took a deep breath. They hadn't got any of Annie's emails; it didn't make sense. Annie was emailing her parents regularly. She knew it was at least once a month often more. Teddy had helped Annie pick which engagement photo to send, why didn't Leslie and Dan know. Teddy had sat with Annie as she wrote the email about her upcoming wedding and attached the picture of her dress as well. Annie had tried to get Leslie and Dan to come. She had sat with Annie when she wrote addresses on save the dates one had been sent to the mckellars. Annie had them on the guest list and if they accepted was going to have both Dan and Owen walk her down the aisle.
"This doesn't make sense," Teddy said, "she emails. I emailed. She sent them a save the date."
"Somethings not right ," Owen agreed.
"I might call them," Teddy said.
"The house number is Altman- Hunt," Owen said, "use my phone it might get through."
When they got home Teddy and Owen sat at the kitchen table and called the McKellars.
"Hello," Dan answered.
"Hi Dan this is Teddy Altman ," Teddy said.
"Teddy I'm surprised you called," Dan said, "is Annie with you?"
"Her and her fiancé are at the cabin for the weekend for a ski day and to relax before they get really busy again," Teddy replied, "I actually wanted to talk to you and Leslie."
"She's sitting right here I'll put you on speaker," Dan replied.
"Thank you," Teddy replied, "I'm going to put you on speaker as well. You remember my husband Owen Hunt."
"We do," Leslie said.
"How's Annie doing," Dan asked, "Owens email didn't say much. We really liked the pictures you sent. She looks good."
Teddy nodded, "she's doing well."
"We'd like to say hi to her," Leslie said.
"She's up at the cabin with her fiancé for the weekend," Owen said.
"Fiancé what's his name," Leslie asked.
"Josh," Teddy replied, "they've been together since med school. She's happy. Did you get the save the date for the wedding?"
"We didn't when did you send it," Leslie asked.
"We mailed it a month ago," Teddy replied.
"We'll check the mailbox again," Dan said.
"Do you know why she stopped calling or emailing," Leslie asked.
"She stopped calling after Jessica told her to stop. we ran into Jessica about two years ago in Seattle Jessica was very aggressive about Annie not calling and not returning. She still emails you every couple weeks," Teddy said, "she's sent you engagement photos and a picture of her wedding dress."
"She got her dress," Leslie asked.
"Just after Christmas," Teddy said, "she's really happy with it."
Dan said, "You said she emails. I don't understand. We never get them."
Owen asked, "is it possible her email is going to spam?"
"Why would it go to spam," Leslie asked.
"Someone set it that way," Owen said, "I'll get her to send me the emails and forward them to you so you get them."
"Can you have her send the back ones," Dan asked.
"Check your spam folder," Teddy urged.
"We will," Leslie said.
"Why don't you call her or reach out to her," Teddy asked, "do you know how many times she's cried over this that you don't even call anymore."
"When she stopped reaching out we didn't think she wanted us to," Dan said.
"Give her a call," Teddy said, "she's home around dinner time on Sunday. They're only getting two nights at the cabin but will ski tomorrow and sunday."
"Will she answer," Leslie asked.
"She will," Teddy replied, "I know she will. She's always wanted you to call and to reach out."
"Are you sure she's okay," Leslie asked.
"She's the best we've ever seen her," Owen replied, "she's happy and confident."
"Annie is confident," Dan asked.
"She is," Teddy replied, "we've worked hard to get here but she's doing really well. She uses her voice now and doesn't let people walk all over her."
"Could we come down and see all of you," Leslie asked.
"That wouldn't be a good first step," Teddy said, "email first or call."
"Like what she did with you," Dan asked.
"She's not little Annie McKellar anymore," Teddy said, "get to know her as an adult."
"We'll call her monday," Leslie said, "let you give her the heads up."
"I'll talk to her when she gets back from Baker," Teddy promised, "call Sunday night. Monday she has a huge surgery with an attending she's still getting to know. It should be a 4-5 hour one and she's flying solo on it."
"Why don't we email her and she can call us after her surgery," Dan suggested.
"You need to get a hold of her if she's at Baker. Jessica is down there this weekend to ski with friends," Leslie said, "Jessica still isn't ready to acknowledge that Annie exists or her role in it."
"They'll be at the cabin and on the mountain," Owen said, "there's not much to do up there other than that. Annie and Josh will ski from the time the mountain opens until it closes tomorrow then go back to the cabin and relax or study."
"You're okay with this," Dan asked.
"Were happy for them. We actually encouraged them to get away for a few days while they have time off," Teddy said, "they've lived together for a while now. Annie and Josh are a good couple. At least talk to her and get to know who she is now. Let her tell you about Josh."
"Teddy, Jessica is just coming in. We should go," Leslie said, "we'll talk to all of you soon."
"We'll talk to you soon. Make sure you reach out. It's up to you now," Owen said, "she'll do her emails but she's not going to call you need to contact Grace first."
"We will," Dan said, "thank you Dr. Hunt and Dr. Altman."
"It was good to hear from you," Leslie said.
"We'll talk to you soon," Teddy said.
Hanging up Teddy asked, "should we tell Annie?"
"It's a big place," Owen said, "then we would have to tell her we called and you know reception is spotty up there."
"She knows we emailed them and that I've been trying to get a hold of them," Teddy said, "she asked me to."
"Give her a quick call," Owen said.
Teddy tried to call Annie but her phone was either off or they had gone snowshoeing and had no reception. She decided to send a quick text.
Teddy, "we finally heard from Leslie and Dan. They asked me to call so I spoke to them. They mentioned Jessica is at baker this weekend. Staying at a hotel so your fine at the cabin. Don't stress. Enjoy your weekend with Josh."
Annie and Josh walked inside after snowshoeing and hung their damp snow gear by the fire. After lighting the fire they snuggled on the couch and watched the snowfall outside. Both were fully relaxed Annie had her head in Josh's lap and he was stroking her hair. She was half asleep when her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She read the message and showed it to Josh.
"Nothing we can do babe," Josh said, "your snow gear is new this year she'll never recognize it. And we're staying here when we're not on the mountain."
"I'm not ready to see her. Every time I see her I lose something or get hurt. She already took my parents," Annie said.
"I know," Josh soothed, "you'll keep emailing them and maybe now they'll reply. They talked to Teddy. That's good. She must have a plan. Relax this weekend and we'll sort it out when we get home."
"I'll try," Annie said, "I'm a little afraid of her."
"If we see her I'll be with you," Josh promised, "for now let's relax."
"I'll try," Annie said.
"Good," Josh said, "now I think we were about to make dinner."
"Are we doing the steaks tonight or the chicken," Annie asked.
"Steak," Josh said.
"I'll put the potatoes in the oven," Annie said, "you can bbq in the snow."
Annie put the potatoes in the oven to bake and sliced the mushroom to quickly cook with butter. She added the carrots, zucchini, bell peppers and broccoli to sauté. When everything was almost finished she started a new pan with garlic, butter and white wine to quickly cook some shrimp. It was an extravagant dinner for them but they deserved a treat and a romantic night. Annie set the table for two and lit the candles before pouring them each a glass of red wine.
Josh came in with their steaks as Annie finished fishing up the two plates, "that looks amazing did you do all that here?"
Annie smiled, "it's date night. Thank you for bbqing."
"I did the easy part," Josh said.
They sat down at the table and enjoyed their dinner savoring the special meal. They enjoyed the night just the two of them laughing, teasing and planning for their future and what would come after their wedding in a few months.
"I can't believe we're married in a few months," Annie said.
"Not long," Josh said, "what's left to do?"
"Cake, flowers, bridesmaids dresses, photographer," Annie said.
"Your actually going to let people take your picture," Josh teased.
"I am. I want to remember this forever," Annie smiled.
"We have to decide suit or tux," Josh said.
"I don't know. Tux is traditional but a suit fits the meadow more," Annie said.
"Will you come look with me," Josh said.
"I'm not trusting you with that on your own," Annie said.
"I knew you would go with me," Josh said.
"Married life will be different," Annie said.
"Not really," Josh said, "I'll just get to call you my wife."
"You'll be my husband," Annie beamed, "it sounds so grown up."
"In case you haven't noticed we have been adults for a while," Josh laughed.
"I know somewhere between finishing school and getting engaged," Annie agreed, "we're half way done residency."
"Half way already," Josh said.
"We are," Annie said.
"Fellowships here," Josh suggested.
"Hopefully," Annie replied, "after the wedding what do you think about staying in the house?"
"I assumed we were staying but asking Duncan to leave," Josh replied.
"It's time for him to leave," Annie said, "he doesn't want to live with newlyweds."
"You just want him out," Josh said.
"I do," Annie replied, "but you get to tell him."
"I will," Josh promised.
"Should we clean this up, watch a movie and head to bed," Annie said, "I want to get first tracks tomorrow."
"You always do," Josh laughed.
"We're only skiing one day we should ski all of it," Annie said.
They tidied the kitchen together. Curling up in front of the fire again Annie cuddled up to Josh.
"I love you," Annie whispered.
"I love you more," Josh said kissing her passionately.
In Seattle Teddy was getting dressed up for a date. Owen has made reservations somewhere but wouldn't tell Teddy where other than that it was somewhere romantic. She eyed herself in the mirror. She was in her late 40s now with three children and the youngest being her easiest by far. She was proud that even after two babies she was still in good shape and miraculously Owen still found her attractive. That he was attracted to her had been made clear that morning. She chose her sexiest dress, a stunning emerald green with a low cut neckline and narrow straps that showed off her shoulders and collar bone with just a hint of cleavage. Putting the finishing touches on her makeup she walked downstairs.
"Wow," Owen said, taking in Teddy's long legs and bouncing blonde curls. There were days he still couldn't believe she was his.
He had their coats laid on the back of the couch and waited as she stepped into her tall black heels. Owen held her hand as they walked to the truck where he opened her door for her. They chatted as they drove and walked into the little restaurant near the waterfront. They enjoyed a romantic dinner together savouring being just the two of them for the night.
"This no kids thing is nice," Teddy said as they got home.
"No little two to worry about," Owen agreed.
"We've never been alone for two nights as a couple," Teddy pointed out.
"We didn't do things they way every one expected us to either," Owen said, " I wish I hadn't wasted all that time Teddy."
"What do you mean," Teddy asked.
"I loved you when we first met. When I broke up with Beth I should have tried to make it work with you then," Owen said.
"It's the past," Teddy said, "we can't change it.
"We would have had Allison sooner," Owen said.
"I wouldn't have had those years with Annie," Teddy said, "her and I needed that."
"We would have had them," Owen said, "but let's enjoy tonight just us."
"Just us," Teddy agreed, "thoughts?"
"Wine, fire," Owen said.
"Actually use the big tub in our room," Teddy said.
"That could be an idea," Owen agreed.
They walked into the house and though to the kitchen while Owen built a fire Teddy grabbed two wine glasses and a good bottle of wine, one she had been saving for a special occasion. She brought the wine and glasses into the kitchen and went back for the cork screw. Teddy filled both glasses and passed one to Owen.
"This is perfect," Teddy beamed.
"The two of us alone and a bottle of wine," Owen agreed.
"We need to do this more," Teddy said.
"We do," Owen said, "but there's something on your mind Teds."
"Tomorrow," Teddy said, "we can't do anything about it now."
"Annie," Owen said.
"If it's not one kid it's another," Teddy replied, "I never thought this fantasy would come true."
"Which fantasy," Owen asked.
"Us, a home, the kids," Teddy said.
"It's true," Owen smiled, "are you happy Teddy?"
"The happiest I've ever been," Teddy beamed, "Owen?"
"I didn't know I could be this happy," Owen said, "I love you."
"I love you more," Teddy said, kissing him passionately.