"My baby girl is married," Teddy said to Owen as they made breakfast.
"That happened yesterday," Owen chuckled.
"It's just sinking in now," Teddy replied.
"She's not our little Annie anymore," Owen said, "not that either of us knew her as a little girl."
"It's different for me," Teddy said, "I held her minutes old, told her I loved her and then prayed for her first email."
"I remember the night she emailed you the first time," Owen smiled, "you called me drunk or crying or both."
"I read it and downed a whole bottle of wine," Teddy admitted, "on an empty stomach."
"That would do it," Owen chuckled, "you were so excited the first time you heard from her. And when we first met her she was mini you."
"I finally got a hug from my daughter that day," Teddy said, "she surprised me when she hugged me."
"I thought you were going to cry," Owen teased.
"I almost did," Teddy laughed.
"Mama where's Annie," Leo asked.
"Her and Josh are spending the morning just the two of them, they'll come around lunch," Teddy said, " They are going to come and open the wedding gifts at the cabin before going home for the night and leaving for their honeymoon tomorrow."
"Do we get to go on the honeymoon," Leo asked.
"No buddy," Owen replied, "it's time for Annie and Josh to go away just the two of them and enjoy being married."
"What's married," Allison asked.
"Married means that two people love each other a lot and want to be together for a long time," Teddy explained, "it means that they trust each other and are each other's very best friends. "
"Can I marry Isla," Leo asked. Isla was his best friend at daycare.
"It's for grown ups," Owen said, "marriage is a promise two grownups make to each other to love and take care of eachother. "
"Are you married mama," Leo asked.
"Daddy and I are married," Teddy smiled, "so are auntie Meghan and Uncle Nathan."
"No party for mama and daddy," Allison said.
"We did when we got married," Teddy said, "you were just a baby when daddy and I got married."
"Almost two years," Owen smiled.
"I know," Teddy said, "some days it feels like yesterday, others it feels like we've always been together."
"What should we do for it," Owen asked.
"You, me, no kids," Teddy hinted.
"Weekend somewhere," Owen suggested.
"We need to get away just us," Teddy said, "we took Allison on our honeymoon."
"Our anniversary is only a few weeks away," Owen said, "lets see what we can do. Maybe my mom can take the kids."
"Annie would help as well," Teddy suggested, "and Meg."
"They would," Owen agreed.
"Let's plan something first," Teddy smiled, "where do you want to go?"
"Somewhere that involves you and a bathing suit," Owen teased.
"When I first came home for my birthday we went to this really romantic place in Oregon," Teddy suggested.
"I remember," Owen said, "you were just starting to show with Allison. You wouldn't put your bathing suit on the first day."
"I remember that," Teddy grinned, "you didn't tell me what we were doing until we got there and Annie helped me pack. I thought you'd hate the baby bump. I'd always been in good shape before that."
"It was gorgeous," Owen smiled, " You out run me now."
"If you ran with me, Annie and Meghan you'd be faster," Teddy teased.
"I'll try to book it," Owen said, "three or four nights? Tie it in with your birthday?"
"Whatever we can get," Teddy said, "I want time with you just us."
"You, me, the beach, good food, wine," Owen suggested.
"Sounds like a plan Hunt," Teddy smiled, giving him a quick kiss.
Chris walked into the kitchen, "why am I surrounded by love birds everytime I come down."
"Happy couples," Evelyn said, "where are Annie and Josh? Is Becky still asleep?"
"Coming around lunch time," Teddy said, "give them the morning to be together. They should be enjoying a lazy morning together."
"Becky will sleep in. She had too much last night," Chris said, " Owen do you have a second?"
"Sure," Owen said, "what's going on."
"Outside," Chris suggested.
They stepped onto the porch.
"I just wanted to thank you for doing that yesterday for Annie," Chris said.
"What," Owen asked.
"I heard some of your conversation yesterday morning, the loft window was open. You were there for her when I couldn't be," Chris said.
"It was nothing," Owen said, "just being family."
"But you've been there for her since she got hurt that summer," Chris said, "you never questioned."
"Why would I," Owen said, "she was Annie. Yes at first it was Teddy's daughter but your sister is just her and people can't help but like her. She's my daughter. I don't make that distinction between her and Allison unless it's required. We have three kids. Annie had always been bouncy, likeable Annie with me."
"Annie's always been like that," Chris smiled, "years ago I'm sure you don't even remember it but when she was in the hospital you picked me up at the airport and I asked you to help me protect her and make sure she could still be a surgeon. Thank you for keeping that promise."
"I remember. I would have even if you hadn't asked. Both you and Teddy asked but I would have done it anyway,," Owen said, "her first surgery as an intern I was in the gallery to cheer her on. The first time she got to open was with me. She wanted it and she worked hard for it. She's worked harder than anyone realizes. She needed people to show her how strong she is. She's had an amazing example in Teddy and Meghan."
"Thank you for that," Chris said, "she needed you and auntie Teddy to do that for her."
"I can be Uncle Owen if you want, your sister uses it and I've heard you stop yourself," Owen smiled.
"Thank you," Chris said, "years ago you told me that sisters were worth fighting for and you would go anywhere and do anything for Meghan. I want to fight for my sister but it's gotten to a point where I have to choose. I'm going to choose to fight for Annie but there was another ultimatum this morning."
"What was it," Owen asked, "from Jessica."
"Jessica, I sent mom and dad a bunch of pictures from yesterday I wanted them to see how happy Annie is and how good she looked, what they were missing," Chris said, "Jessica called me this morning and told me if I keep seeing Annie I can't go home."
"Tell your parents," Owen said, "fight for the family, you're Annie's only link to that part of her life."
"I will fight for Annie," Chris said, "I know she wants to reconnect and I talked to Alice yesterday and she's really trying to get Annie to see that group of girls she lived with at UBC but Annie is nervous to go back to Cloverdale."
"Fight for Annie," Owen urged, "your sister won't let you go now. She loves you too much. I know she tells people she has two brothers and a sister."
"Me, Leo and Allison," Chris said, "I sent mom and dad the picture of the four of us yesterday and one of me and Annie."
"What else did you send," Owen asked.
"The family photo of your family with them, a few of Annie and Josh, Annie and Teddy, the wedding party," Chris said.
"They would be jealous," Owen said.
"It's their choice," Chris growled, "they don't know I'm here as often as I am. They think I get way less leave time than I do. I see them twice a year. I'm here every couple months. I've applied for something exciting but Annie isn't going to be happy with me."
"Why won't Annie be pleased," Owen asked.
"Becky already flipped," Chris said, "Annie might. I've applied to the medevac pilot training program . After the avalanche and seeing what you all did, it's too late for me to be a surgeon but I'm a good helicopter pilot, I could do medivac."
"Annie will encourage you," Owen said, "I had my own Becky years and years ago. Around the time I met Teddy. Her name was Beth and Meghan couldn't stand her. Didn't want me to be a trauma surgeon or be deployed but I had to do it. Do what's right for you. Your sister will support medevac training. If Becky loves you so will she, you've been with Becky as long as I've known you after that long she has to understand what you want."
"The training is six months with no leave; it would start in January," Chris said.
"Just tell her before you go," Owen said, "let her decide how she feels but she's a surgeon and she'll support medivac. We've talked her down a few times when you're away and she worries about you but that's being the oldest sibling. You try to protect as much as you can."
"She's only 11 months older," Chris pointed out, "I'm August 28 and she's Oct 7."
"Older siblings are just hard wired to protect and be a bit type a," Owen said, "ask Meghan."
"Breakfast," Teddy yelled.
Chris walked back inside with Owen.
"Where were you," Becky demanded.
"Just talking to Owen," Chris replied, "just be nice today. Annie and Josh will be here at lunch time."
"Because your perfect sister gets what she wants," Becky snapped.
"You've never given Annie a chance," Chris replied, "you don't come down with me to see her and Josh."
"The perfect Harvard educated heart surgeon big sister," Becky replied, "no one measures up to Annie in your eyes. Annie is always right and you always spend your leaves with her."
"I go to see her because she gets less time off then we do," Chris said, "she gets 10 days a year. And even when she's off she can be called in."
"Make her come to us," Becky demanded.
"Stop," Teddy commanded, "we don't know you Becky. I would like to, so would Annie which means you need to come spend more time with us. You're always welcome to come with Chris."
Sitting down with their breakfast Meghan whispered to Teddy, "it's like listening to a brunette Beth."
"Not as smart," Teddy said, "preschool teacher. It's a one year part time program."
"At least Beth went to college," Meghan said, "but Becky really hates Annie."
"They don't know each other and Becky knows Jessica, they may be friends," Teddy said, "but we threatened Beth. It's the same thing. We've taught Annie to be proud of her skills and what she does. That she doesn't have to hide who she is. Becky grew up in the same church, she's been with Chris since high school followed him around the country but won't live with him."
"Waiting for a ring," Meghan asked.
"Wedding," Teddy said.
"That could be a while," Owen said as he sat down.
"Why," Teddy asked.
"Chris applied to medical pilot training," Owen smiled.
"Medivac," Meghan asked, "that's awesome."
"It is," Teddy agreed, "safer then what he's been doing."
"He hasn't told Annie," Owen said, "let him tell her."
"She'll be happy for him," Teddy said, "she'll understand."
"What will Annie understand," Nathan asked.
"Chris applied for medevac pilot training," Owen replied.
"Good for him," Nathan smiled.
Around lunch time Annie and Josh climbed the porch steps.
"Hey sweetheart," Teddy called.
Annie walked to join her and Meghan.
"How was your night," Teddy asked.
"Wonderful," Annie smiled.
"I'm glad," Teddy grinned.
"Is there coffee," Annie asked.
"Late night or caffeine addiction," Meghan teased.
"Both," Annie giggled.
"You're an old married woman now," Meghan teased.
"It feels good," Annie smiled looking at her rings.
"It does," Teddy agreed.
"I haven't gotten to call Josh my husband yet to anyone else," Annie laughed, "I really want to."
"You'll find ways," Teddy smiled, "it feels good."
"I waited so long to call Nate my husband. I do it every chance I get," Meghan laughed.
"I can't wait to do it," Annie said.
"You will. You're on your honeymoon this week, you'll have a chance," Teddy said.
"It'll be nice to have some time away just the two of us," Annie smiled.
"It is nice," Meghan agreed.
"We haven't done it since I was pregnant with Allison," Teddy admitted.
"Then you need to mama," Annie said.
"We'd like to for our anniversary in about three weeks," Teddy said.
"We can watch Allison and Leo if we're off," Annie said, "I'm happy to have them stay with us."
"Talk to your husband," Teddy said.
"My husband will agree," Annie smiled.
"We'll help two Teddy," Meghan smiled, "you've taken Faroke a few times so we can go away."
"Ann do you have a sec," Chris asked.
"I was just going to find my husband and coffee but I can chat," Annie replied.
"I'll come with you," Chris said.
They went into the kitchen and found Josh pouring two mugs of coffee.
"You are my favourite human," Annie laughed as he handed her a mug.
"I knew you'd want one," Josh smiled.
"You are the best husband," Annie giggled.
"I know my wife well," Josh laughed.
"Gross," Fraoke groaned.
"One day buddy," Josh laughed, "you'll find the perfect girl."
"I'd rather play baseball," Fraoke said.
"You say that," Annie teased.
"Never," Faroke said before walking out of the kitchen.
"C you wanted to talk," Annie said, "it's too late to talk me out of the wedding."
"I want to talk to both of you," Chris said, "I got a brother yesterday it's all good."
"Where's Becky," Annie asked, "I hardly know her."
"Back in bed she's really hung over," Chris said, "and mad at me."
"Because you haven't proposed yet," Annie asked.
"No," Chris said, "i'm not sure how much longer we'll be together. It's really not going anywhere now."
"Then decide and don't lead her on," Annie said, "move on."
"She's mad and I don't think you'll be totally impressed. I applied to medevac pilot training," Chris said.
"That's awesome man," Josh said.
"Do it," Annie replied, "probably safer in medical helicopters than other. Do you get the red cross on them to mark it as medical transport?"
"I think so but it opens up more opportunities for me if I ever want to leave the army," Chris said.
"Do it. When does training start," Annie asked.
"January for six months," Chris said, "it would be summer before I could visit."
"I'm happy for you," Annie said.
"You're not mad," Chris asked.
"Do you know the stories of battlefield medicine I've heard," Annie said, "mama, Uncle Owen, Auntie Meghan, Nathan. They all have stories. Are you forgetting I used to go scrub in with mama at the military hospital in Germany when she ran it. I'm proud of you."
"I'm proud of you two," Chris said, "heart surgeon is pretty impressive Ann."
"We get a lot of medevac choppers at the hospital. It's impressive what those pilots can do," Annie said.
They spent the afternoon with the family before driving home to the cottage for the night.
Josh drove onto the ferry and Annie began to point out the sights as the ferry cruised through active pass. They stopped along the drive into Victoria at a cidery and picked up a few ciders.
"Where are we staying tonight," Annie asked.
"My surprise," Josh smiled, "you picked a couple surprises north of here."
"A few old favourite spots," Annie smiled.
They checked into the hotel and enjoyed walking the streets of old Victoria, Annie remembering more from childhood trips then she thought. It was a beautiful romantic way to start their honeymoon and married life.