Sunday morning was a slow start for everyone. Josh was surprised that Annie was still sound asleep at eight thirty when he woke up. She was usually an early bird and up by seven. On days off she might stay curled up in bed reading or playing with her phone but she was always awake by seven. This morning she was still curled up beside him fast asleep. The only people moving around the cabin were Evelyn, and Leo.
Teddy wandered into the main room with Allison on her hip. Teddy yawned, "good morning."
"Teddy do you want me to take Ali and you go back to bed," Evelyn asked.
"Owens up," Teddy said, "but we may need a lazy day."
"From the sounds of last night you do," Evelyn said, "no one else has come out yet."
"Annie," Teddy asked.
"Not a sound from them," Evelyn said.
"Let them sleep," Teddy smiled, "Megan and Nathan?"
"Nothing," Evelyn said, "Leo was going to help me get everything ready for pancakes when people wake up."
"I need to phone Bailey and let her know what happened then I'll come help," Teddy replied.
"Allison and Leo come help nana make breakfast," Evelyn said.
Teddy stood by the window watching the snow, with her phone and tapped on Bailey's number.
"Teddy is everyone all right," Bailey asked, answering in the first ring.
"We are but I need to talk to you about last night before the press calls," Teddy said.
"You didn't beat the press," Bailey replied, "I've set up a press conference for you and Owen tonight at 6:30 in the lecture hall. Riggs starts at 5:30 so I thought you could all be there The news is saying you didn't lose anyone."
Teddy responded, "all six of us will be there, it was all of us."
"Your head of cardio and he's head of trauma. Decorated veterans from local hospital save avalanche victims. Looks great for Grey Sloan," Bailey said.
"Meghan, Nathan, Josh and Annie," Teddy said.
"No residents," Bailey replied.
"We did this as a family," Teddy said, "won't the media love that. People already love the me and Annie angle when they learn. People love Catherine and Jackson or Richard and Maggie. You want me to speak, I get to bring my daughter."
"You have a point dr Altman," Bailey agreed, "are all of you all right?"
"Tired only Owen and I are out of bed yet but we're good," Teddy replied, "we need to have a conversation with you and Richard about trauma certification. We need to bring field experience in."
"Did they fail," Bailey asked.
"They didn't but they weren't as fast as they could have been to start," Teddy explained, "once they got the hang of it they were incredible. But I think we need to bring in field simulations sooner and more often."
"Okay," Bailey replied, "we can discuss it Monday. What do I need to know about this as chief? My phone is ringing off the hook and all I've been able to say is that I haven't spoken to my surgeons yet."
"About 60 victims total, tough conditions with limited equipment and supplies," Teddy said, "we improvised and pulled in any nurses and first responders who came to help. It was a field situation, we did as much as we could with what we had and sent them to further care."
"Any surgeries up there," Bailey asked.
"Chest tubes, ET tubes, stabilizing a few bones, I cracked a chest," Teddy said, "nothing that wasn't 100% necessary."
"Okay," Bailey said, "I expect you all here for 5:45."
"Dress code," Teddy asked.
"Business dress, no scrubs," Bailey commanded.
"I'll pass the message," Teddy replied, "business clothes and lab coast."
"Thank you for letting me know Teddy," Bailey said, "if you need anything let me know."
"We will," Teddy said, "right now we just need rest and to eat. We'll see you at 5:45."
"See you later," Bailey said before hanging up.
"Who are we seeing at 5:45," Owen asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on Teddy's shoulder.
"Bailey," Teddy replied, "full court press conference in the lecture hall at 6:30. All six of us. You and I are speaking but the others will be there with us."
"Annie and Josh," Owen asked.
"They were up there and did good work they should be celebrated," Teddy said, "yes their residents and the tradition is residents should be seen and not heard but I want my daughter up there."
"We'll take our oldest," Owen said, "some one will have to practice with her and Josh."
"I will," Teddy said, "Annie's going to panic about what to wear."
"Why is Annie worrying about what to wear," Meghan asked.
"5:45 be ready in the lecture theater for a full court press confrence all six of us," Teddy said, "we're bringing residents and doing this as our family."
Josh wandered into the room ,"Annie's just waking up."
"She okay," Teddy asked.
"Tired and had a hard time falling asleep," Josh said, "she's just texting Leslie back and will be out."
"Mom texted Annie two," Chris said as he came down the stairs.
"Hundreds it's all over the news apparently," Josh said.
"I'll call mom," Chris said, "she's going to be in a panic and Annie never liked mom's panics."
"Good morning," Annie said as she joined the rest of the family in the living room.
"Ann, I'm going to call mom and dad, do you want me to put them on speaker," Chris asked.
"Why not," Annie said, "they can't do anything over the phone and if she's a basket case we hang up. If Jessica is there I'm not talking."
"I'll check," Chris said.
Chris dialed the number for Leslie's cell phone, "hey mom its Chris. I'm down at the Hunt's cabin with Annie."
"Where is your sister," Leslie asked.
"Just grabbing coffee, she just woke up," Chris said, "we want to talk to you but she won't come to the phone if Jessica is there."
"I'll go upstairs," Leslie replied.
Chris called, "Annie it's safe, just mom and dad."
"I'll join you," Teddy said.
"Your on speaker with everyone," Chris siad.
"Annie, Chris are you both okay," Leslie asked.
"We're all good," Annie replied, "I was never at the slide site. I was back at the lodge working on victims as they came in to us. Chris was the one actually helping get people out."
"You were on the slide," Dan roared, "how many times have I told you two to stay away from slides."
"Dad chill," Chris said, "it's not the first time. I'm trained for this. The real bad ass was Annie."
"What do you mean," Leslie asked.
"She was helping Teddy work on a guy whose whole chest was open," Chris said, "Annie and Teddy that was amazing. I saw Annie work on a few patients as I brought victims in. She's a total badass surgeon. There's a press conference tonight that she's part of."
"I'm a silent participant," Annie said, "residents are seen and not heard when major things go on."
"What channel," Leslie asked.
"We'll let you know when we find out but I'd assume any of the Washington stations," Teddy replied.
"It was on our news here that six surgeons from Grey Sloan were saving lives," Dan said, "we thought it was your family."
"Most families go sledding at the cabin. We save lives," Meghan added.
"Who are you," Leslie said, "I don't recognize your voice."
"I'm Meghan Hunt," Meghan replied, "Owen's sister. Annie's aunt however you want to look at it."
"Green kilt from Annie's first championship," Leslie replied.
"Yes," Meghan responded.
"Mom," Jessica's voice screamed, "there's a picture of Annie on the news."
"Hold on Jessie," Leslie replied, "I'm talking to Annie and Chris."
"No you're not," Jessica screeched before the line went dead.
Annie's face fell and her whole body slumped in her chair. Josh gave her hand a squeeze.
"Are we calling back," Nathan asked.
"No," Chris decided, "it would cause a problem."
"They know we're all alive," Annie said, "they know about the press conference. Nothing else I can do."
"We should get moving then if we're going to be back and have everyone ready for the press conference," Meghan said.
"I'm going to go get dressed," Annie mumbelled, she was still in her polka dotted pajama bottoms and grey hoodie.
"I should too," Josh echoed, he followed Annie into their room where she sat on the bed with her head in her hands.
"Why now," Annie asked, "we were doing well."
"That was your sister," Josh said, "not you. Your parents were trying."
""I can't deal with them if she keeps doing that," Annie mumbelled.
"You don't have to," Josh promised, "they only get to know as much as you want them to about our lives. We don't tell my parents much. You've only met them when dad needed surgery."
"They're coming to the wedding," Annie said.
"Only if they're sober," Josh replied, "otherwise we have Nate and Meg for my side."
"We share Meghan," Annie laughed.
"We can share her," Josh replied.
"If they come what am I going to do about the father daughter dance," Annie asked.
"They take turns," Josh said, "they have to share. Or we skip it all together."
"Skip," Annie said, "then we can avoid the dancing penguin. But why does Jessica do that?"
"She's mentally ill and it's untreated," Josh said, "it sounds like your parents are held hostage by her temper and tantrums."
"She pushed Chris and I out," Annie said, "they try harder with the golden boy than me."
"Keep texting and emailing," Josh suggested, "no calls for a while."
Annie nodded, "I need a hug."
"Of course you do," Josh replied, he held her close and kissed the top of her head. She snuggled into him.
"Breakfast in 5," Owen called.
"We should get dressed," Annie whispered.
"I'm just putting work out pants on," Josh said, "and a hoodie."
"So leggings and a hoodie that works for me," Annie laughed, "I think you'll need a suit tonight."
They quickly got dressed and joined the family for breakfast. They went over what to expect for the press conference that night and what everyone was expected to wear, they agreed that their matching lab coats looked more official than a collection of suits and jackets. They all helped to tidy up the cabin their few days away cut short by the avalanche the night before. Chris followed Annie and Josh to their house and put his stuff in the office, his plan had been to stay until Thursday then heading to Cloverdale to spend a few days with their parents who were only just realizing that his leaves were about twice as long as he told them, because he always spent half the time in Seattle with Annie.
Getting ready, Annie texted Teddy, "what do I do with my hair?"
Teddy, "down. Your choice what you do with it but leave it down."
Annie, "what are you doing?"
Teddy, "curls."
Annie, "I'll straighten it. My hair isn't going to cooperate to do proper curls today."
Teddy, "do you have time?"
Annie, "doing make up while the straightener heats and my clothes are on the bed. Black pencil skirt, white top with the pink and black hearts on it, black heels."
Teddy, "sounds cute. Meghan and I are both doing solid colour tops and ties should be solid colour."
Annie, "would my cranberry sleeveless blouse be better?"
Teddy, "under the lab coat. No bare legs you're a doctor."
Annie, "it's too cold for bare legs and my legs are the colour of paper right now."
Teddy, "you are not that pale."
Annie, "I am. Any paler I'll be reflective."
Annie finished getting ready and met Josh in their bedroom. Josh was fussing with his tie.
"It won't hang straight," Josh complained.
Annie fixed it, "there."
"Thank you," Josh replied, giving her a quick kiss.
"Good thing you did that before I put lipstick on," Annie laughed, "we're going all out for this."
They walked into the living room.
"C can you give mom and dad a heads up with the cover story mama and I use," Annie asked.
"Which one," Chris asked, "explaining me or not?"
"Stick with the I was with family when she was overseas and that she always knew what I was up to," Annie said, "but we weren't particularly close until she finished her tour in Iraq."
"So not publicly saying she gave you up for adoption," Chris said.
"Exactly. I use Altman and look like her so we can't deny it. It just gets played off that I was with what people assume is my bio dad," Annie replied.
"At work what do people know," Chris asked.
"The whole story," Annie replied, "lots were around when I first started to spend time with mama and scrub in."
"So you just gloss over the adoption, Jessica and the name change," Chris said.
"Or we have your story you came up with as my half brother so they assume dad left Teddy," Annie said.
"I told them that one after I spent six months working with the American medical teams where their major knew her," Chris said, "and that we grew up together. Dad doesn't love how it paints him but they know why I did that one to protect you and your privacy."
"We just purposely leave out parts of the story," Annie said, "people who know us know the whole story but both mama and I are pretty private people.
"I'm going to come with you guys and watch," Chris said, "see you all in formal dr mode. Not field surgeon badass."
"That was pretty epic," Josh agreed.
"It was a bit of a rush," Annie said, "but I'm not a trauma surgeon. I prefer kids and hearts."
"You did all the peds last night though," Josh pointed out.
"I did," Annie smiled.
"Why does that matter," Chris asked.
"My time is split half and half between peds and cardio and anytime there's a kid for cardio I'm the resident. My tiniest patient was still in utero. Dr Robbins is a fetal surgeon and mama and I helped her repair a hole in a baby's diaphragm and fix the heart. I'd never seen instruments so tiny," Annie explained, "we work on a lot of babies and toddlers."
"You get attached to your patients," Josh teased as they walked to the car.
"Just the ones that are in for a while," Annie replied, "kids are different then trauma. I have more time to build relationships."
"You play lego and sing Disney songs," Josh teased.
"Patient care," Annie laughed, "peds style. Robbins and Karev encourage it. So what if I'm Mary Poppins with the kids."
"Mary Poppins," Chris asked.
Annie started to sing, "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down."
Teddy and Owen were already at the hospital going over details with Bailey.
"How long do we have," Owen asked, "I've done this a few times when I was the Chief. I'm going to take point."
"Who ran it on scene," Bailey asked.
"We just did it," Teddy said, "it's Owen and I we just do it and know what the other is doing."
"Direction was only given to residents to get them started," Owen replied, "our trauma program is working but could be better"
"How much will it cost me," Bailey asked.
"Let me do the plans and I'll tell you, " Owen said.
"It's the communication side and working with limited equipment," Teddy said.
"I did burr holes with some guys dewalt drill," Owen explained, "Josh helped and so did Annie's brother."
"You let mini Altman's brother help," Bailey yelled.
"He's search and rescue trained. He's a military helicopter pilot," Owen said, "I needed the patient kept still. I trusted Chris to do that. Chris restrained so josh and I could do what we had to."
Annie and Josh walked to the residents locker room hand in hand. They hung their coats in their lockers and grabbed their lab coats.
"Ready for this," Josh asked.
"I'm ready for my close up," Annie laughed.
"Is it true you operated in a ski lodge," a man asked.
"No actual surgery," Annie replied, "just triage."
"The news said someone did brain surgery up there," an intern called.
"Hunt did burr holes," Josh confirmed.
"We're going to be late to meet Bailey," Annie said. She wanted to avoid all of the gossip that would come from their fellow residents and the interns after their weekend at the cabin. While the people in their year had come to accept that Annie and Teddy were close, those that didn't know either well still assumed that Annie had an unfair advantage. In truth Teddy was the hardest on Annie, she had higher expectations of her daughter than any other resident. Annie and Teddy sometimes argued about the high expectations; it was an ongoing challenge for them to balance being mother and daughter or attending and resident. But they had learned to tell eachother when the balance wasn't right. This often meant Annie being trained by Nathan and Maggie, as much as Teddy wanted to teach her daughter they could only work together for so long before the lines got blurred again.
Meting in the small room behind the lecture hall they could hear the raucous chatter of the press, preparing to question them all.
At 6:30 Bailey took the podium, "good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I'm Dr. Miranda Bailey, the chief of surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Behind me are four of our surgeons and two surgical residents. This is an incredible team and an incredible family. I am proud to have all of them on my staff. Our four attending surgeons all have served our country with the United States Army Medical command. I'd like to introduce my chiefs of Cardiothoracic and Trauma surgery both are incredible surgeons, doctors and teachers. I'd like to introduce our chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. Theodora Altman and our Chief of Trauma Surgery Dr. Owen Hunt.
"Good evening," Owen greeted, "while Dr. Bailey has called my wife and I to the podium to speak to all of you today. But we couldn't have done what we did last night without our family. I'm going to start with my trauma team, my sister Dr. Meghan Hunt a fellow attending and my soon to be son in law Dr. Joshua Riggs as our resident."
"I'm Dr. Teddy Altman and would like to echo Dr. Hunt's statements that it was a team effort," Teddy said, "we did this as a family. I was not the only cardiothoracic surgeon on that mountain last night, I could not have done it without my team of Dr. Nathan Riggs and my daughter and resident Dr. Grace Altman."
"What happened on the mountain," a reporter yelled.
"We were just putting our skis back into the trucks to go home when Grace recognized the sound of the avalanche," Owen said " we identified ourselves as surgeons to mountain staff and proceeded to set up to triage and provide care in the field to stabilize patients for transport to the nearest trauma center."
"Is it true that someone did brain surgery up there," a reporter called.
"I did place several burr holes to relieve pressure under a patient's skull," Owen said, "this was an emergency measure to keep him alive until he could see a neurosurgeon."
"Is it true all of the victims lived,"
"All patients were alive when they left the mountain last night," Owen replied.
"Dr. Hunt," a reporter called, "is it true you spent ten years as a hostage in Iraq?"
"I was," Meghan replied, "let's keep our attention on the events of last night."
"Major Altman," another reporter yelled, "how did you have the military career you did and raise your daughter."
Teddy looked to Annie who nodded. Teddy answered, "Grace spent her childhood with family in British Columbia. I always knew what she was up to. We became closer when I finished my final tour in Iraq and moved to Seattle for the first time."
"Dr. Altman, how
did it feel to have your mother overseas saving other people when you were home," the same reporter called.
Annie had never been asked that question, "I was with family who loved me and cared for me. I had parents and siblings and a family I belonged in. I wanted to know mama better and see her but she was needed elsewhere. I understood that. It was best for me to be in B.C. . Our story is what it is and it makes the relationship we have now stronger."
Annie looked to Teddy who gave her a thumbs up and smiled at her. Teddy thought Annie had handled that well.
The same reporter kept hounding, "how could you walk away from your child?"
Owen cut it off, "we are here to discuss the events of last night. Not my wife and step daughter's history. They will not be answering any more questions on that topic. Last night what happened on that mountain was a miracle that is what we are her tonight to discuss."
"Why did it take six surgeons," a reporter called.
Teddy answered, "as dr Hunt and and dr Bailey have mentioned we are a family. It was a family ski day at Mt Baker. We were all off this weekend which is rare for us and enjoying time together when the avalanche happened. A team of six for a mass casualty event is not a large team. What made this successful is that four of us have worked together since 2002. Dr Owen Hunt, Dr Meghan Hunt, Dr Nathan Riggs and I all served in Iraq together and were a team there. We learned to work well under immense pressure and to trust each other. Last night we added two residents to the team who were working in the field for the first time. As the chief of cardiothoracic surgery, an attending surgeon and a mother they made me proud last night. They are third year residents half way through their training as surgeons and they took the most patients and got every one of them stabilized and into the right transport off the mountain."
Another reporter asked, "we've heard reports that there are romantic relationships between some of you. Is there any truth to that rumor?"
Owen spoke, "I've already referred to Dr Teddy Altman as my wife. Dr Meghan Hunt and Dr Nathan Riggs are married. Dr Grace Altman and Dr Joshua Riggs are engaged and will be married this summer. We are a strong close family. We work together as a team to do what is best for our patients."
A reporter called, "if you're a family how can the younger Dr. Altman and the younger Dr. Riggs get married?"
Teddy responded, "there is no genetic relationship between Grace and Josh they met in medical school for the first time. When they met they did not know Nathan and I knew each. Again we are not discussing our family relationships. We are here to answer questions about last night."
They continued to answer questions about the events of the night before. Finally they posed for several pictures. It was nearly ten when they left the hospital.
Annie's phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Leslie, "we saw you on the news here. You look like a real doctor up there in your lab coat."
Annie, "thanks I've been one for a couple years now."
Leslie, "you looked grown up and confident. Josh is a very handsome man."
Annie, "thank you. We're really happy. What did dad say?"
Leslie, "he's proud of you. It's getting a lot of coverage here and the whole family has been texting."
Annie, "I've seen a few follow and friend requests on my facebook and instagram from cousins. They found me."
Leslie, "add them. But you may have a lot of questions you've been gone for a long time."
Annie, "when I'm ready I'll talk."
Leslie, "just let them see what you post."
Annie, "not much. It's not exciting. Grace kind of appears at 21."
Leslie, "I know."
Annie, "did C give you the cover story mama and I use when needed?"
Leslie, "yes and we know the other one as well. You do that well."
Annie, "C's story that we're half siblings we've used a few times. We almost did today. But Bailey decided Chris was going to sit in the lecture hall with our friends."
Leslie, "can you call me to talk about this morning?"
Annie, "we're still at the hospital. She's not going to be happy about seeing the news. Let's wait a few days. I'm off until 2:00 tomorrow then start a 16 hour shift. I have 5 of those in a row and have Sunday off before going back to days."
Leslie, "call me Sunday."
Annie, "I will text you first to make sure you're alone."
Annie and Josh walked back towards the locker room when Chris caught up with them. Annie sped up to catch up with Julia and Jenna.
"Who's the hot guy with you and Josh," Julia asked.
"My brother," Annie replied.
"That's Chris," Jenna said, "you never said he was hot."
"It's my brother," Annie said, "my younger brother."
"How much younger," Jenna asked, "where is he staying?"
"Almost 11 months younger he's 26," Annie replied, "he's staying with us."
"Then I'm coming over now I only came in to see your press conference," Jenna said, "he's hot."
"And has a girlfriend," Annie said, "sorry to disappoint you. I don't like Becky though."
"Why," Jenna asked.
"She's different from her and I have never gotten along and they started dating when we were in highschool," Annie said.
"And they're not married," Jenna asked.
"Thank god they're not," Annie replied, "that would be the end of any joy he has left. And my cover has been broken. It was on TV in BC. I have a million friend requests and follows from cousins and old friends."
"What will you do," Cassidy asked.
"Accept the people I want to and ignore those I don't," Annie replied, "friends I'll accept but it's not changing how I live my life."
"You won't go back," Jenna asked.
"I don't want to, this is my life, this is where I belong and where I'm happy," Annie said, "I'm staying no matter what. Josh is here. I don't even plan on visiting anytime soon."
"Really," Jenna asked.
"They want to see me, they can make the effort. It's on my terms now," Annie said.
Bailey caught up to them ,"well done Mini Altman. You made Grey Sloan look good and held it together with some very personal questions."
"It's not the first time mama and I have explained that," Annie said, "we have our story that doesn't lie but is just vague enough to protect her."
"It covers both of you and is more then I would have said," Balie said, "but go people don't you have lives to save?"
"Not until 2 tomorrow," Annie replied, "the 5 night shifts in a row. Trauma with Meghan."
"Then I don't want to see you in my hospital until you're here to save some lives," Bailey said.
"See you tomorrow Dr. Bailey," Annie smiled.