"Are we really doing this Teddy," Owen asked.
Teddy nodded, "Allison, Leo let's get coats and boots on."
"Where are we going mama," Leo asked.
"To a tree farm to get a real Christmas tree," Teddy beamed.
"A real tree in the house." Leo looked shocked.
"Yes buddy," Teddy smiled.
"Nee coming," Allison asked.
"Annie and Josh will meet us there," Teddy said.
"Why are we doing this Teddy," Owen asked.
"I've always wanted a real tree and Owen we honestly need something fun as a family. Tree farm up in the mountains, sleigh ride, visit with Santa, hot chocolate and candy canes. I need this," Teddy said.
"Snow," Owen smiled.
"Gear is already in the truck," Teddy said.
"What do I need," Owen asked.
"Warmer clothes," Teddy replied, "I laid stuff out on the dresser. Coffee will be ready when you get down."
"Breakfast," Owen asked.
"To go for all of us," Teddy replied.
"Really," Owen asked.
"Really let's go Hunt," Teddy laughed.
"I'm going," Owen said.
"It'll be fun," Teddy smiled.
"I'm sure it will be Teds," Owen replied waking up the stairs.
By the time Owen came down Teddy had both kids in their coats and boots with sippy cups of milk in hand.
"Daddy let's go," Leo yelled.
"Come on buddy," Owen said, taking Leo's hand.
They got the kids buckled into car seats and Teddy handed each of them a bag of goldfish crackers and another of apple slices for breakfast.
Teddy passed Owen a muffin as they pulled out of the driveway.
"Ready for some Christmas music," Teddy asked.
"Yay," Allison yelled.
Teddy plugged her phone in and started the Christmas music. Soon the whole family was singing along as they drove.
Josh was driving towards the Christmas tree farm when Annie's phone rang.
"I don't know this number but its a BC one," Annie said.
"Answer it," Josh said.
"What if it's her," Annie asked.
"How would she get your number," Josh replied, "you changed it after the incident a few weeks ago. Who from BC would have your new one?"
"Chris," Annie said.
"Just answer it," Josh nagged.
Annie answered her phone, "hello this is dr grace Altman."
"Annie," Dan asked.
"Who is this," Annie asked.
"It's dad," Dan replied, "Dan,"
"How did you get this number," Annie asked, "I never gave it to you or Leslie. I changed my number to get away from you."
"Your brother," Dan said, "I have a few things to tell you and I want you to be open minded."
"I really don't want to hear what you have to say," Annie said, "your lack of parenting nearly cost me my life. It cost me the family I grew up with and a few weeks ago it nearly cost me my career and she went after my marriage. I don't care anymore, I'm done."
"Annie just give me five minutes," Dan said.
"Three, on speaker and I'm setting a timer," Annie said.
"It's a deal," Dan said.
"It's just me and Josh in the truck we're going to get a Christmas tree at a tree farm," Annie said, "you have three minutes don't ruin my plan for a good day."
"Okay," Dan said, "here it goes. After you left in your first year of medical school, Jessica got worse. She is violent with me and mom, if we go see you she will kill us. We wanted so badly to come see you so many times not just the big things like your graduation or your wedding. I wanted to come see you so many times but every time we booked tickets Jessica would threaten us. She had mom and my passports."
"Get new ones," Annie replied.
"That's what Owen told us," Dan said.
"If this is a ploy for sympathy it's not working," Annie said, "dad it's been too long. It's too little too late. I'm done with your excuses."
"Annie Bear we're trying," Dan said, "we have a few things to work on and work out. But I do want to see you. I miss you bear. I'm really proud of you. I wish we could have been there to see you graduate and become a doctor. But what really kills me is that I couldn't be there at your wedding. I wish I could have walked you down the aisle, done the father daughter dance with you. Chris sent me the photos, you looked happy I've never seen you look so happy. I'm proud of you Annie Bear. I want to know who you are now. Can you give me some time to figure out how I can come down and see you?"
"I want to believe you," Annie said, "but I don't know if I can trust you."
"I know," Dan said, "we're going to try."
"I've heard that before," Annie said, "until I see real action I'm not going to believe it. I've gotten my hopes up so many times to be let down. I can't believe it until I see it."
"Please think about it," Dan said, "maybe you and Josh could come see us."
"That's a firm no Dan," Josh cut in, "if you want to see us you will need to figure out the passport thing and come down. "
"Josh, you've never seen where Annie grew up or been to Cloverdale," Dan said.
"We drove through Cloverdale on our way home from the Island," Annie replied, "I won't be coming back to BC to live. My life is in Seattle now. That's if we stay when we finish residency. We both want to do fellowships for specialized training and who knows where that will take us. There's only three spots in the country for what I want. Josh has a few more choices."
"What exactly do you want," Dan asked, "I'm not completely sure what type of surgeons you are."
"We're both surgical residents right now but we declared specialties a year ago," Josh said.
"I'm doing pediatric cardiothoracic surgery," Annie explained.
"I'm a trauma surgeon," Josh said.
"Isn't Teddy also a heart surgeon," Dan asked.
"She's Cardio and trauma," Annie replied, "I can do trauma but I don't enjoy it. I love working with kids."
"I like the speed and adrenaline of trauma," Josh replied, "Owen and Auntie Meghan are teaching me. Then Teddy and my uncle Nathan are teaching Annie."
"Don't forget Maggie and Alex," Annie replied.
"Two surgeons that must be hard with the hours I hear you work," Dan said.
"It's not great when we're on opposite shifts," Annie admitted, "but we made it through med school together and we've done it so far. Dad, we do have to go. I'll think about it. But I won't be going back to Cloverdale for any reason. You need to figure out how you can come down if you want to see me. At least reply to my emails."
"I'm going to email you Annie," Dan said, "I made a new one that your sister doesn't know about."
"My sister is named Allison," Annie replied, "she's almost three. Jessica is not my sister. Jessica has always said she's not my sister because we don't share any DNA. By Jessica's rule Allison is my sister. I have two adopted brothers who accept me, but Leo the three and a half year old one is adopted as well. Biologically I have one half sibling who is 25 years younger. Do what you want with the email. Your time is up dad. I'm going to go enjoy my day with my family at the Christmas tree farm.
"I hear you," Dan replied, "it was good to actually talk to you. Merry Christmas Annie bear."
"Merry Christmas dad," Annie replied before hanging up.
"I'm done for a year right," Annie asked, "Owen called them, so Dan gives me a half assed effort full of excuses. And seriously with the Annie bear. I told him to knock that off when I was 12."
"Meghan called me joshie the other day," Josh groaned.
"Not as bad as that new intern you have calling me Mrs Riggs," Annie replied, "I'm in scrubs and a lab coat with my name on it. It's Dr Altman at work I'd even take Altman-Riggs."
"You've thought of hyphenating it," Josh asked, she had been adamant about keeping her name professionally. And she had pointed out three Riggs in one hospital was a lot.
"Debating," Annie said, "when we have kids they'll take your last name I assume."
"I thought it would be hyphenated," Josh said.
"Do you want a baby," Annie asked.
"When we're done residency," Josh said.
"I want one," Annie admitted, "I have since Allison was born."
"I know," Josh laughed, "let's get through the next year and a half."
"There's nothing saying we couldn't start a year from now," Annie suggested.
"We'll see," Josh said, "I want to enjoy being married first."
"I like being married," Annie laughed, "calling you my husband."
"I like introducing my wife," Josh agreed, "it's fun when we're working on the same patient."
"That always gets their attention," Annie laughed.
"Your dad what do you think," Josh asked, wanting to check she was okay.
"Owen called him out so he made a half hearted effort to connect with me," Annie replied, "that was about making Dan feel better not patching things up with me. It sounds like a pack of lies."
"He sounded sincere," Josh said, "has Owen said anything?"
"He always sounds sincere," Annie said, "it's too late for words. Until I see actions I can't let myself believe it. Just because he said the right words doesn't make it true. And it's only dad trying why hasn't mom reached out. If they meant it they would both reach out."
"Who were you closer to," Josh asked.
"Dad," Annie said, "but usually mom does the pack of lies. Can we drop it?"
"We can," Josh agreed, he had just wanted to make sure she was alright. The last three weeks had been hell watching her hurt and broken then the long days of tears and meetings with the hospital lawyers. She had spent hours meeting with Dr Wyatt and another counselor she had been working through the damage and trauma. Looking now Annie was stronger, today she had set boundaries and stuck to them. It was the first time she had set boundaries with her parents.
"It's done," Annie said, "the lawyers mailed the documents for the restraining order yesterday. She's not allowed on hospital property or within 500 feet of me. Because we're not going to court it's only valid for a year. But it sent a message. It's done. Josh it's done. It's time we move forward."
"If you're okay," Josh said.
"I'm good," Annie replied, "it's a relief. They've made a final half hearted attempt and it's done. I can't dwell on it any more. We'll never be happy if we let them control us. They made choices and now I'm choosing us. I'm choosing to be happy. I don't need their toxic behaviour, it only hurts me and worries you."
"You set boundaries with them today," Josh said.
"That felt good," Annie admitted.
"I bet," Josh agreed, "I'm proud of you."
"I'm proud of me two," Annie smiled, "we're ahead of schedule can we stop and grab more coffee?"
"We can do that," Josh replied, "just coffee?"
"I packed car snacks and my part of the picnic," Annie replied.
"Part," Josh asked.
"Mama, Auntie Meg, Nana and I all have different things," Annie replied, "nana was making shortbread and sugar cookies, she has some of the sandwich stuff."
"What did we bring," Josh asked, he knew that usually he was left out of food decisions for family events unless Annie wanted him to BBQ.
"Buns, deli meat, cheese," Annie replied, sandwich stuff. Mama has fruit and veggies. Meghan was doing drinks and snacks."
"What's the plan," Josh asked.
"Sleigh ride, visit Santa's workshop, reindeer, snowshoeing, lunch and Christmas trees. Plus they have a German style Christmas market," Annie said, "mama planned it."
"The two of you are Christmas crazy," Josh laughed, "you're sure you're okay?"
"I won't be if you ask me again," Annie said, "Josh I'm good. I'm moving forward, I'm not going backwards. We're getting a real tree. Finally replacing that horrible fake I bought second hand in med school."
"I like the Charlie Brown tree," Josh teased.
"We have a real tree this year and we need more ornaments," Annie replied, "I ordered a kit on Amazon. It should arrive today while we're out."
"Of course you did," Josh teased, "are you turning into an elf?"
"Maybe," Annie giggled.
They drove in comfortable silence the rest of the way to the tree farm.
"Nee," Allison called as they approached.
"Hi bean," Annie smiled, scooping her baby sister into a hug. They hadn't seen each other since Leo's surgery. Usually Annie babysat a couple times a week or came over to hang out with Teddy but Annie had been staying close to home. While she was dealing with the final Jessica incident Annie could only handle going to work.
"How are you," Teddy asked.
"Good," Annie smiled, "Dr Wyatt cleared me for surgery on Monday finally."
"It was only three weeks," Owen said.
"I've gone a lot longer," Meghan pointed out.
"Two hours a day with dr Wyatt 5 days a week," Annie replied.
"How do you feel though," Meghan asked.
"Good," Annie said, "relaxed, calm I'm looking forward to Christmas. Plus the lawyers sent the documents Jessica can't get close to me again. It's done. Dan called while we were driving and I actually set boundaries with him. He fed me some line about not having passports which I only half believe."
"He's told me the same thing so has Chris," Owen said, "it might be worth listening."
"I'll believe they care when they show it. I need actions not just words," Annie declared, "I told him that. How often do you talk to Chris?"
"Every couple weeks," Owen said, "I thought you knew."
"I knew he emailed you but not that often," Annie said.
Owen replied, "has for a few years. Since you were about 21. He needed a mentor I'm happy to."
"That's where the medevac idea came from," Annie said.
"I may have encouraged," Owen replied, "he wanted to do more and he was already search and rescue trained so it was a natural step."
"He's really excited," Annie replied, "did he tell you where he is?"
"No," Owen replied.
"I hate these missions," Annie groaned, "but home for Christmas in two weeks."
"Mama can we see Santa now," Leo begged.
"Let's go see Santa," Teddy smiled, taking Leo's hand.
"Santa pictures really," groaned 13 year old Faroke.
"Yes," Teddy declared, "and all kids are in them."
"Mama," Annie replied, "really?"
"I want one year of all three of mine with Santa," Teddy laughed.
"Once," Annie said, "at least we're not all matchy matchy."
"I think all of us should take one," Evelyn said, "I want all my kids with Santa."
"I'm staying out of this," Josh said.
"Three kids together and each of the couples," Annie suggested, "get them printed for nana."
"I like that idea," Evelyn smiled, " I also want one of Owen and Meghan."
"Not recreating childhood ones," Owen declared.
"So your not going to torture me in line thank you dum dum," Meghan laughed.
"That won't change," Owen teased.
"What are you doing now it's not like you can pull my hair," Meghan teased.
"I have my ways," Owen laughed.
"Do you," Meghan teased.
Evelyn grabbed each by the wrist, "Owen this side, Meghan this side."
"Mom," Meghan laughed, "we're not six."
"You're acting like it," Evelyn laughed.
Meghan jokingly kicked snow towards Owen.
"You really want to start that," Owen asked.
Teddy laughed, "when you're done tormenting Meghan I could use some help with Allison and Leo."
"They want to be children today," Annie laughed, "I can take Leo or Allison. I've missed them."
"They missed you," Teddy agreed.
"I've never had a real tree," Josh said, "how does this work?"
"We find one we like, you take the chainsaw and cut it down then we carry it to the spot where they put the net around it and we load it into the truck," Annie explained, "then the house smells like a forest."
"You've done this before," Josh asked.
"We used to every year," Annie replied, "Chris and I went with dad."
"Not all of you," Meghan asked.
"It was always open to all of us but Jessica didn't like the snow," Annie replied, "it was better that way. That's why Chris and I can ski like we do as well."
"You were with your dad more than your mom," Meghan asked.
"Chris and I were," Annie replied.
"Santa," Allison yelled seeing the sleigh.
"It is," Owen beamed, "do you want to see him?"
"Please Daddy," Allison asked.
"Let's go," Owen smiled, he had thought Teddy was a little crazy that morning but seeing the kids' excitement he realized she was right.
They waited in line for Santa pictures as a family, all ten of them.
"I've never done this before," Josh admitted.
"Then we're taking a Santa picture," Annie laughed, "your first we'll send it to your mom."
"Really," Josh asked.
"You've never taken a Santa picture, we have to take one," Annie smiled, "for me?"
"Don't make that face," Josh laughed, "you know I can't resist that face."
"Always works," Annie smiled.
Josh gave her a quick peck, "it does."
"Gross," Faroke said.
"Come on buddy there's not a girl at school you think is cute," Josh teased.
Faroke blushed, "one."
"What's her name," Josh asked.
"Kira," Faroke said, "she's in my math class."
"Ask her to hang out," Annie suggested.
"And do what," Faroke asked.
"Hang out, kick a soccer ball," Josh suggested.
"What does she like to do," Annie asked.
"I don't know," Faroke said.
"Then find out," Annie said, "talk to her at school. Find out what she likes and we'll help you figure it out."
"But your old," Faroke said.
"Old really you want to go there," Annie said, "how old do you think we are?"
"Your surgeons and married so parent age," Faroke said.
"Define that please," Annie said.
"Like 35," Faroke said.
"Not that old," Annie said, "your Auntie Teddy is my mother."
"So 30," Faroke said.
"Almost, I'm 28," Annie smiled.
"I'm 29," Josh added.
"Wait how old is Auntie Teddy," Faroke asked.
"I was 21 when Annie was born," Teddy replied, "you can add."
"You were young," Faroke said.
"I was," Teddy replied.
"What about Chris, he's Annie's brother," Faroke asked.
"Did you know that Annie wasn't with me when she was a little girl," Teddy asked.
"Her mom and dad," Faroke said.
"I was adopted like you are," Annie said, "Chris is my adoptive parents biological son. Chris and I are siblings that way. Sometimes we say half siblings and let people think we have the same dad to smooth things for mama and I."
"Like after the avalanche," Faroke said.
"Exactly," Annie replied.
"If you were adopted by other parents then why are you with Auntie Teddy and Uncle Owen," Faroke asked.
"My mom and dad always wrote to my mama," Annie explained, "when I turned 19 they gave my mama's information and I wrote to her. Then we got really, really close when I was in college and medical school."
"Do you see your other mom and dad," Faroke asked.
"I haven't in 7 years. I talk to them sometimes. I have another sister who's 24 who is really sick," Annie said, "they can't leave Jessica and me and Jessica in the same place isn't a good plan. But we don't talk about her."
"Santa picture time," Teddy said, rescuing Annie.
Annie gave Teddy a look of relief.
The family spent time taking pictures with Santa in every possible combination it seemed. Annie rolled her eyes at being forced to take one with Allison and Leo but Teddy insisted on her three kids with Santa. When finally Teddy, Meghan and Evelyn were satisfied with the pictures they began to explore the rest of the tree farm.
They went to the elves workshop and laughed at the silly games in the reindeer barn. Teddy and Annie told stories of their Christmases in Germany as they walked through the Christmas market.
"I think the first year you came for Christmas was my favourite," Teddy said, "it was the first time Landshtul felt like home."
"We walked through the Christmas market before church on Christmas eve and it was snowing," Annie said, "we were teasing Chris about Becky."
"I forgot about that," Teddy replied, "I was so proud to introduce you to my new colleagues and the people I was just starting to be friends with."
"Some of them were a bit intimidating," Annie replied.
"The colonel was," Teddy replied, "but he meant well."
"We sat with him and his wife at church then went back to your apartment for junk food," Annie smiled.
"And you two would not go to bed so Santa could come," Teddy smiled, thinking about how she had waited hours for Annie and Chris to go to bed so she could fill the stockings. She had wanted them to have a normal family christmas.
"We roasted a chicken because your oven was too small for a turkey," Annie laughed.
"It was the two of us for a couple years what would we have done with a whole turkey," Teddy replied.
"I don't know," Annie replied, "it was hard to make all the sides small and there were no sweet potatoes."
"No pumpkin pie," Teddy replied.
"I liked the german gingerbread. It was softer and less sweet," Annie said.
"I think I saw some," Teddy replied, "we could get some."
"I will before we go home," Annie smiled.
"We had some good times there the two of us," Teddy smiled.
"We did," Annie agreed, "it was always so quiet though."
"I loved the time with you and our quiet holidays," Teddy agreed, "but this is special two."
"This is our family," Annie smiled, "it's where we belong. I still don't understand how they all just accepted me."
"Because you're you," Evelyn joined the conversation, "the first time you came for dinner I knew you were one of mine. When you were away for school I was always asking Owen for updates. I thought for years you would be my only grandchild."
"But mama and uncle Owen didn't get married until I was a second year resident," Annie said.
"You were 19," Evelyn smiled, "Owen brought me to the Seattle Highland games to watch you and keep Teddy calm. I knew you were one of mine zipping up the national vest and pinning the plaid. I knew you needed help with that."
"Mama never learned," Annie replied, "when I use it for the couple hospital things Meghan does it for me."
"Seeing you in that, I knew," Evelyn smiled, "I asked you to make it dance for me one more time."
"I did my best," Annie replied.
"You won everything that day," Teddy said, "then fell asleep in my car on the way home."
"You do 8 long step dances, three group choreographies, a cake walk and two solo choreographies and not be tired," Annie replied, "Allison can start in the fall."
"She will," Teddy said, "but I'm not a stage mom."
"Time to learn," Annie replied, "you have a stage mom and two dancers to help."
"What happened to the Hunt broach," Evelyn asked.
"Owen and I gave it to Annie a few years ago," Meghan said.
"It's in my jewelry box," Annie replied, "to keep it safe. When she's ready Allison will make it dance again."
"Did you know about that," Nathan asked Josh.
"She always went to Teddy's for Christmas," Josh replied, "any time we had a week or more off she went to Teddy's."
"But the history with Evelyn and her having Meghan's old costumes," Nathan asked.
"There's nothing in her past I don't know," Josh replied, "you don't know everything about your wife?"
"There's gaps," Nathan admitted, "some of her years away she doesn't talk about."
"Understandable," Josh agreed.
"There's days I still can't believe she's home and she's mine," Nathan smiled.
"There's days I can't believe Annie chose me," Josh agreed.
"What this family has is something special," Nathan said.
"They just embraced us," Josh said, "how?"
"That's Evelyn and Meghan," Nathan said, "Owen always followed their lead. Except for Teddy. The moment they met she was his favourite person."
"I know the feeling," Josh said.
"I know," Nathan agreed, "those three and as a team."
"Completely remarkable," Owen joined the conversation.
"Unstoppable," Josh said.
"We're very lucky," Nathan said.
"We are," Josh agreed.
"Incredibly," Owen added, he watched Teddy walking ahead with the two girls, Allison on her hip and carrying on a conversation with Annie, he couldn't tell what they were talking about but he could hear all three laughing.
They had a great day exploring the tree farm, having a picnic in the snow and choosing Christmas trees.