Annie was setting up the gingerbread house supplies on the kitchen table. She had unpacked each of the kits and covered cardboard with tinfoil for each of the three kits. She had bowls of candy and piping bags of icing ready. She turned Christmas music on low.

Josh asked, "do you have enough candy?"

"I do," Annie smiled, "I think I do the littles all have a sweet tooth."

"Dinner first," Josh asked.

"Pizza has already been ordered," Annie said, "I have veggies cut up."

"Was Faroke serious in his text," Josh asked.

"He was," Annie smiled, "be nice. We want this girl to feel comfortable."

"Thats all you," Josh said.

"Josh be nice babe," Annie replied, "no scary trauma surgery talk. No medicine with Kira."

"We can try," Josh said.

"Until Ali and Leo want to do surgery on their stuffed animals," Annie laughed.

Meghan and Faroke pulled into Kira's driveway.

"Mama you can stay in the car," Faroke said.

"This is an unusual situation so I'm going to introduce myself to Kira's mom," Meghan commanded.

"Fine," Faroke said, rolling his eyes. He knew that tone Meghan meant business.

Faroke lead the way to the door and knocked.

Kira answered, "Hi Faroke, Mrs. Hunt."

"It's Meghan," Meghan replied, "is your mom or dad home?"

"Mom," Kira bellowed, "Mrs. Hunt wants to talk to you."

A woman about the same age as Meghan appeared behind her daughter, "I'm Nadine."

Meghan reached to shake the woman's hand, "Meghan Hunt it's nice to meet you."

"You didn't have to come to the door to get her," Nadine said.

"It's an unusual situation and I would want someone to if it was Faroke going," Meghan replied.

"Kira explained it," Nadine replied, "Faroke has an older cousins who are in their 20s and does things like this for the little cousins once in a while. The part that confused me was when he said they were married."

"That is the confusing part with Annie and Josh," Meghan replied, "the short form is my older brother is Annie's step dad and Josh is my husband's nephew. Annie and Josh met in medical school not knowing about the connection at all. They had been together for a couple years before my husband and Annie's mother put it together."

"Medical school," Nadine said, "how old are these cousins?"

"Annie is 28 and Josh is 29," Meghan replied, "their parents were very young when they were born. My sister in law was in med school at the time."

"Are you sure they're okay with this," Nadine asked.

"That's one thing with Annie and her mother, they don't make an invitation unless they mean it," Meghan replied, "I saw Annie before I left work and she was excited to do it. She used to do this sort of thing with some of her other cousins growing up. She wants to make sure this set of cousins have the same memories."

"Mom they're the family that was on the news in the spring for saving all the people in the avalanche," Kira said.

"That was you," Nadine asked.

"It was," Meghan replied, "but we should get going. Do you have any questions for me? I can leave you Annie's number, she's better about answering the phone than Josh."

"Faroke already sent it to Kira for me," Nadine replied.

"She uses Grace Altman professionally," Meghan said, "she usually uses it to answer the phone. Annie was her nickname as a kid, we still use it at home."

"Thank you," Nadine replied, "Kira be polite and helpful."

"I will," Kira replied, "bye mom."

"Have fun," Nadine replied.

Meghan drove them to Annie and Josh's arriving at the same time as Owen.

"Hey dum dum," Meghan called.

"What did I do now," Owen asked.

"Ask your wife," Meghan laughed.

"What did Teddy say," Owen asked.

"Just that you don't go on enough dates," Meghan replied.

"Two preschoolers and full time jobs," Owen replied, "we're going tonight."

"Because Teddy and I planned it after we got Annie's invitation for the kids," Meghan said.

"Annie is keeping our younger kids overnight," Owen said.

"The four of us are doing dinner," Meghan said.

"Maybe we'll go home for some us time after. I'll grab some good wine before I pick Teddy up," Owen said, "I have an idea at home."

"I'm just saying make your wife feel special," Meghan said, "without grand gestures."

"I'll try," Owen said.

The kids had already let themselves in.

"Annie, Josh," Faroke called.

"Hey," Josh greeted, "I'm Josh you must be Kira."

"It's nice to meet you," Kira said.

"Where's Nee," Allison asked.

"She's just on the phone with her grandmere she's speaking French so it has to be," Josh said.

Annie joined them, "it was Chris. He didn't want his guys to know what he was talking about. Come in every one pizza should be here soon."

"Annie this is Kira," Faroke introduced.

"It's nice to meet you," Annie smiled, "would you like something to drink? We have juice, sparkling water, water, tea and hot cocoa."

"Water please," Kira replied, "can I help with anything?"

"

"Not at all," Annie said, "Faroke why don't you grab a couple games. Carcasone is in the office."

"Nee where's Milo," Allison asked.

"In Josh and my room. We didn't know how Kira felt about the cat," Annie replied.

"I like cats," Kira called.

"I'll let Milo out," Josh said. He opened their bedroom door and the tabby ran to the living room.

Annie moved around the kitchen getting the plates and veggies for dinner out. Josh played games with the two little kids and watched the teens play Annie's favourite game. Faroke was the only person who came close to beating her. After dinner the two teens offered to help Annie tidy the kitchen. Josh shook his head, this is where Annie's strict childhood with the McKellars came out, she rarely let others help her in the kitchen especially guests, Teddy was the one exception.

Teddy came downstairs dressed for their night out in black skinny jeans and a long sleeved pale grey top with a green sweater.

"Ready," Owen asked.

"I am," Teddy smiled, "are you going to change?"

"What's wrong with this," Owen asked.

"T-shirt really," Teddy asked.

"Okay," Owen replied, "I'll be quick."

Owen jogged up the stairs to their bedroom and took out a blue and white checked button down, he grabbed his leather jacket on the way back down.

"So dinner, then we'll come back here, light the fire and relax," Owen suggested.

"I was thinking of a bath with you," Teddy teased as she walked towards the door."

"We could do both," Owen smirked, "we have all night."

"We do," Teddy agreed, "a kid free night. We need to find a way to thank Annie and Josh for all the kid free nights they give us and the nights they take Allison and Leo because we're both on call."

"It'll balance one day," Owen said, "but do they get date nights?"

"They have plans for the two of them tomorrow," Teddy said, "we pick the kids up at 8 then she has a plan."

"How are they functioning as newlyweds with Duncan," Owen asked.

"They want him out," Teddy admitted, "but they both feel bad asking him to leave. Duncan wouldn't have anywhere else to go."

"He'd have to find a place," Owen said, "we've all done it."

"I'll talk to her about it," Teddy said, "we should really renew all the lease documents with them being married now. It would be a good time to move Duncan out."

"Where are we going," Owen asked.

"Dinner," Teddy laughed, "a seafood place Meghan chose, it had great online reviews."

"Okay do you have the address," Owen asked.

"Already in my phone," Teddy replied, "let's use my car, it's easier to park downtown."

"Keys," Owen said, holding out his hand.

Teddy passed him the keys and walked to the passenger side.

"Are you looking at my butt," Teddy laughed.

"Maybe," Owen smirked, getting into the car. He couldn't resist; she was carrying her coat and her long legs were accentuated by the tall heels she wore. There were days Owen still couldn't believe they were together, that at the end of the night they would go to bed together and he would wake up with her in his arms.

Meghan pulled her jeep into the driveway and walked into the house.

"Meg," Nathan called,"almost ready?"

"I need to change my shirt and shoes," Meghan replied.

"Where are we going," Nathan asked.

"That seafood place we've talked about trying," Meghan replied, "give me 5 minutes Nate."

"That's it," Nathan asked.

"I did my hair and makeup before I dropped Faroke and Kira at Annie and Josh's," Meghan replied.

"Are you sure they're okay with that," Nathan asked.

"I am not leaving our almost 14 year old son home alone with a girl," Meghan said, "no way. Annie had such a strict upbringing that way she's a great chaperone."

"What does that mean," Nathan asked.

"Some things Annie and Teddy have told me," Meghan said, "the McKellars didn't allow their children to be alone with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Teddy had to tell Annie it was okay for her to kiss a boy. Annie was 19 at the time. She was taught touching a boy was wrong."

"Then she gets her MD and moves in with Josh," Nathan replied.

"Six years later," Meghan said, "but Annie had the strictest childhood of any of us."

"Balances the zero rules Josh had," Nathan said, "he ran wild."

"I remember some of it," Meghan said, "a 13 year old with no curfew. A 14 year old allowed to have his girlfriend in his room with the door closed."

"I spent his whole time in college trying to teach him how to treat women," Nathan said, "then it all clicked when he met Annie. She really trained him."

"Annie trained him," Meghan asked.

"His first year of med school I saw him at Thanksgiving and he had stopped swearing, then at Christmas he was talking about this friend Annie and how quiet she was," Nathan said, "he stopped swearing and partying for her because she can't stand them. I wish I had known then that it was Annie Altman."

"But she was still using McKellar," Meghan said.

"Wouldn't have changed her being Teddy's daughter," Nathan replied.

"No it wouldn't," Meghan agreed, "I'm going to go change my shirt."

"Go fast," Nathan said, "I'll meet you in the car."

"Okay see you soon," Meghan smiled walking up the stairs. She changed her top for a brilliant blue sleeveless top and a black sweater. She paused at the bottom of the stairs to put on her black ankle boots.

They drove to the restaurant and met Owen and Teddy out front.

"Hey," Teddy greeted, "I didn't see either of you today."

Meghan gave Teddy a hug, "busy day I was in the OR most of it."

Teddy replied, "I only had a couple hours in the OR. Downside of the chief job."

"Annie did a great bypass today," Nathan said, "I never got my hands on the patient."

"Josh ran a massive trauma today from start to finish," Owen said.

"I did paper work," Teddy groaned, "I love being chief and setting the direction of the hospital but I hate paperwork."

"What's next," Nathan asked.

"Some restructuring of the education program with Richard. I want to appoint someone specifically for med students and interns, a good teacher some one who can guide them and be a good judge of character," Teddy said.

"I would be interested since you gave Pierce head of cardio," Nathan replied.

"I'm thinking of you for that. Pierce in cardio was a political move," Teddy agreed, "I'm also looking for a head of research or innovation and moving Grey to that and having Bailey lead general."

"Chief resident for next year," Meghan asked.

"Not Annie," Teddy said, "she's not a leader. Josh maybe, Jenna Silverstone is my front runner."

"We need another trauma surgeon," Owen said.

"Keep a fellow or two," Teddy said, "don't let them leave us. We've trained them, they do things our way. I'm looking for a couple ER physicians not surgeons but physicians that can take the routine things in the ER freeing our surgeons up for surgery."

"Enough work talk," Meghan said.

"What's the plan for Christmas day," Teddy asked.

"Mom's," Meghan said, "PJ party again."

"Good I already ordered 4 pairs of matching, festive Christmas pajamas," Teddy smiled, "yes Owen you have to wear them."

"Teddy really," Owen groaned.

Teddy whispered in his ear so low no one else would hear, "I like your usual pajamas but the rest of the family won't appreciate them the way I do."

Owen blushed.

"What," Meghan teased.

"Do we have Christmas pajamas," Nathan asked.

"I ordered them," Meghan replied, "don't worry we don't match."

"Thank you," Nathan said.

"I'm not the worst for it," Teddy said.

"Elves Teddy, you dressed all of us as elves last year," Owen moaned.

"It was great," Teddy laughed, "I offered to order Annie and Josh's last year then she saw them and said she had it."

"Do you know what they ordered this year," Meghan asked.

"I don't," Teddy said, "she always does something. Their working christmas eve. She's not happy about it."

"They get it every year," Meghan said, "why is that?"

"Not playing favourites this year," Teddy said, "and by doing it I can give them the time for the ski trip."

"Chris is coming for Christmas dinner," Owen said, "I told him PJs are mandatory."

"Annie dealt with it," Teddy said, "their funny I saw what she ordered."

"We have some for Ian," Meghan said.

"How is Ian doing," Teddy asked.

"He's doing well," Nathan said, "he's looking for a job up here. He wants to be closer to Josh."

"Now he decides to be a parent," Meghan grumbelled.

"He's really trying with Josh and wants to see Annie more," Nathan said.

"How's he doing health wise," Teddy asked.

"He hasn't touched a drug or alcohol since you rebuilt his heart," Nathan beamed, "I'm really proud of him, you gave him a reason to fight."

"Do we know of any jobs nearby," Owen asked.

"I can't think of anything at the hospital," Teddy said, "unless he wanted janitorial or security."

"We can mention it," Nathan said, "his work history is spotty."

"We can all help," Meghan said.

"That took strength for him to leave her," Teddy said, "that can't have been easy after so long."

"30 years," Nathan said, "they never should have been together. They were toxic for each other. The only good thing that came from that is Josh."

"He turned out well," Owen agreed, "Nate you taught a good man."

"You're just saying it," Nathan said.

"We gave him our blessing didn't we," Owen said.

"That seems like ages ago," Nathan said, "he was so nervous."

"It's just us," Teddy said.

"He was afraid of Owen," Nathan said.

"So those two are married and the happiest I've ever seen her," Teddy said, "and I heard Faroke took a girl to cousin night."

"Kira," Meghan said, "we've met her a few times now seems like a nice girl."

"First girlfriend," Owen said, "he's young."

"Just friends," Nathan said.

Their dinners arrived and the conversation slowed.

In the cottage Annie was laughing, "Ali the icing goes on the gingerbread house not in your hair."

"Sticky," Allison said.

"It is," Annie laughed, "I'm going to have to wash your hair before bed."

"No bath," Allison yelled.

"I have bubbles," Annie promised.

"Bubbles," Allison asked.

"Always for my favourite sister," Annie smiled.

"Leo stop sprinkles don't go on the cat," Josh scolded.

"I've got him," Faroke said, "sorry about this Kira."

"How is Allison your sister Annie," Kira asked.

"Our mama was still in school when I was born and there's 25 years between me and Allison," Annie explained.

"So you were an only child," Kira said, "then when you were 25 got a baby sister."

"No. I grew up with family in BC. I have two half siblings who are 27 and 24," Annie said.

"BC so your Candian," Kira said.

"I have dual citizenship but I'm more Canadian. I grew up in Cloverdale BC but was born in Texas. I've only lived in the states since I was 21 so 7 years now," Annie said, "Josh how long has it been?"

"7 sounds right," Josh agreed, "that's how long we've been together."

"How did you meet," Kira asked, she had heard that this family had some cool stories.

"Med school orientation," Annie said, "I knew no one had just moved from a small town an hour out of Vancouver BC to Boston and he smiled at me across the room. Then we had every class and rotation together. He was my best friend first."

"Best friend I've ever had," Josh agreed.

"Allison," Annie scolded, "we don't ice Milo."

"Why did you give a three year old icing," Josh asked.

"I thought she could handle it," Annie sighed, "our poor cat. Icing and sprinkles."

Annie picked Allison up and took the zip lock bag of icing from her.

"This is why she only had a couple tablespoonsful. I have the rest of ours in my piping bag out of her reach," Annie said.

"Milo doesn't seem too upset," Josh said, pointing to the cat who had hopped up on the mantle and was licking himself.

They finished the gingerbread houses and Kira offered, "Annie can I help you tidy up this is a bit of a mess."

"I'm a bit particular about my kitchen but I would really appreciate it if you and Faroke could gather all the stuff on the table for me and get rid of all the garbage," Annie said.

"I'll deal with the dishes," Josh said, "you get your sister less sticky so we can watch our movies."

"Movies," Kira asked.

"Annie's Christmas classics," Faroke said.

"The original good one. The animated Grinch, Charlie Brown's Christmas, Frosty, Santa Claus is coming to Town, The Little Drummer Boy," Annie listed, "with cocoa and popcorn. We'll turn on the fireplace and only have the tree lights on. Ali will be asleep ten minutes in."

"Then what will you do," Kira asked, she was seeing that Annie was the one truly in charge tonight. Kira was starting to like the petite woman, there was a warmth and a gentleness to her very different from her own mother or aunts.

"Leo and Ali are spending the night so my mama and step dad can have some time," Annie said, "I'll put her to bed. We have an air mattress for them in our room. We do this about once a month."

"You don't mind," Kira said, "I get frustrated watching my little sisters their 9 and 7."

"I used to get annoyed being left with Chris and Jessica but these two it's different," Annie said, "the age gap they see me differently. Do you have other siblings?"

"Just my two half sisters. We have the same mom," Kira said, "it's hard to be the oldest."

"It can be a lot of expectation," Annie said, "but you also set the bar for the others."

"What do your other siblings do," Kira asked.

"Chris is with the Canadian Air Force as a helicopter pilot he enlisted right out of high school," Annie said, "Jessica is ill and serves part time."

"Are you close," Kira asked.

"Chris and I are only 10 months appart we grew up more as twins so we're really close but I don't hear from Jessica much," Annie said, she was desperate to change the subject, "do you play and sports?"

"I dance," Kira replied.

"What styles," Annie asked.

"Ballet, Jazz, lyrical, modern and highland," Kira replied.

"Highland do you compete with it," Annie asked.

"I do," Kira said, "I'm doing my first championship in January."

"What are the championship steps," Annie asked.

"Pretty standard," Kira said, "it's the premiership that's odd this year."

"What dances," Annie asked.

"Village Maid, Jig, Johnny and Earl of Errol," Kira replied.

"I used to love the jig," Annie said, "but JL was my absolute favorite. Blue Bonnets was a close second."

"You danced," Kira asked.

"Ballet and highland until I was 21," Annie said, "I competed until a week before I started med school and danced for the UBC team in my undergrad."

"Were you good," Kira asked.

"I went to Cowl a few times," Annie replied trying to keep it casual.

"There's this dancer my teacher showed me videos of that she thinks I might be able to do this variation on a JL step only she did," Kira began, "but the girl won worlds and Canadians a few times then my teacher said she disappeared about 7 or 8 years ago."

"Do you know the name or I can grab my computer and you can show me the video," Annie said.

"Annie or Annabeth McKellar the videos are labeled as both," Kira said, "she was amazing. She did this turn step in the JL that I've only seen in her videos."

"I need you to keep a secret Kira," Annie said, "my dad's last name is McKellar and my middle name is Annabeth. When I competed I used McKellar instead of Altman."

"Your Annabeth McKellar world champion," Kira looked shocked.

"I am," Annie said, "do you want to learn that JL step another day?"

"You can teach it to me," Kira said.

"It's easy," Annie said, "you have your ballet. It's just a pirouette en de dans. Full prep in fourth. Nice deep Demi plié on it and your fine."

"But the rondee closes to fifth," Kira said.

"In the other books. SDTA is fourth," Annie said, "try it my way."

Kira tried it and the step clicked.

"It worked," Kira smiled.

"Well done," Annie praised. She hadn't been trained by dance teachers who believed in a lot of praise. Well done or that's getting better we're the highest praise her teachers had given along with good girl.

"I can't wait to tell my teacher you helped me. Annabeth McKellar taught me that step," Kira beamed.

"You can't. Kira there are a lot of reasons I don't use my dad's name and use my moms last name. Grace Altman doesn't highland dance," Annie said, "this has to stay as our secret with in this house."

"Why," Kira asked.

"It's really personal. I don't use McKellar at all. No one can know I helped. It's a long story that only my mother and my husband know," Annie said, "Farokes mama was a champion as well. Auntie Meghan and I danced together at one competition. It was my first championship and her last."

"Mrs. Hunt was a dancer," Kira said.

"Doctor or she prefers Meghan" Annie said.

"Are both his parents doctors," Kira asked.

"Everyone in our family over 14 and under 75 is," Annie replied.

"All of you," Kira looked surprised

"All of us," Josh said, "Annie can you desticky Allison and I'll finish the kitchen."

"I'm going," Annie said, "I apologize for the screams. She hates having her hair washed."

"She's covered in icing and now has sprinkles in her hair," Josh said.

"Who left her alone with sprinkles," Annie asked rolling her eyes.

"I did," Josh groaned.

"Yet I get stuck with bath time," Annie teased, "how's the cat?"

"Enjoying his icing," Josh laughed.

"Kira and Faroke you go find a game to play. Faroke, you know where we keep them," Annie directed, "we'll finish cleaning up."

Seeing the teens were out of sight Josh gave Annie a quick kiss, "what time is Meg coming?"

"Around 10 I think," Annie replied, "she'll text."

The other four were leaving the restaurant.

"We should do this more often," Teddy said.

"We need to," Owen agreed, they seldom had true date nights.

Meghan suggested, "maybe once a month?"

"If we can get our schedules to work," Teddy agreed.

"You control the schedule," Nathan said.

"I don't," Teddy replied, "I passed that to Meghan. I review it, I don't build it."

"Meg please," Nathan begged.

"I'm trying to get fair shifts and OR time plus give couples time together where I can," Meghan admitted, "we should go get Faroke and Kira. I told Kira's mom she'd be home by 10:30 at the latest."

"See you soon," Owen said.

They all said their goodbyes.

Walking back to the car Teddy and Owen wrapped their arms around each others waists.

"We could go for a walk along the water and see all the lights," Owen suggested.

"That would be nice," Teddy said, "grab a hot chocolate."

"Cold," Owen asked.

"I just enjoy it," Teddy smiled, "my mom used to make it al the time around Christmas it's just good memories."

"Favourite Christmas," Owen asked.

"As a kid or an adult," Teddy clarified.

"Kid first then adult," Owen said.

"As a kid I was 9," Teddy smiled, "it was me, my parents and my grandpa. It snowed like you wouldn't believe overnight it covered half the front door. It was the last year I really believed in Santa. I woke up that morning before everyone else and snuck out of my room to the living room. There under the tree was a shiny new metal sled, one of the ones that goes really fast like we have at the cabin. After breakfast we all bundled up and trudged through all that snow to the park, my dad and grandpa took turns pulling me on the sled. It was the year before grandpa was diagnosed with ALS, the last time he played in the snow with me. We spent the whole afternoon sledding at the park. What was yours?"

"I was 8," Owen said, "the last one with my dad. Christmas morning Meghan jumped on me to wake me up. Dad was waiting for us on the couch and there by the tree were two brand new bikes. Mine was green and it had a banana seat, I thought it was the coolest bike ever. I remember Meghan's was pink. It was raining but we didn't care we rode our bikes all day until it was time for dinner. My dad rode with us most of it. Adult christmas?"

Teddy thought, "That's harder. It's tied between three. My first Christmas with Annie, she was 20 and we went to church on Christmas Eve and it was the first time I saw her on pointe as the angel. Then our first one with Allison, she had just started walking and was trying to grab everything off the tree. You were working Christmas Eve it was just her and I home we snuggled and watched the old Christmas movies. Ali kept pointing at the tree and saying wetty mama wetty. She meant to say pretty, she snuggled and slept on me. It was one of the last nights she slept on me like that. But I think our first with Leo might be the best. All three kids were there for Christmas morning, we had just our three, Josh worked until noon. Annie let herself in just after 6 and we had a waffle feast ready by the time you and the littles were up. The little two were so excited, ripping paper off everything and Leo kept yelling Santa mama and Santa Daddy."

"I agree with the ones for the little two," Owen said, "but your first Christmas home. Allison was coming in a couple weeks and it was our first as a couple. You pulled off that surprise for all the residents and interns. I was so happy I was with you. You had chosen me."

"I love you," Teddy beamed at him looking up into his eyes.

"I love you too," Owen said, giving her a quick kiss, "what do you say we go home?"

"Home, bubble bath, you," Teddy smirked seductively.

"That sounds perfect," Owen said.

They walked hand in hand to the car enjoying each other's company.

Meghan and Nathan picked up the two teenagers.

"Littles are asleep so why don't we finish tidying have some hot chocolate and watch a movie," Annie suggested, she wasn't tired yet and really wanted to cuddle.

"Tidying, wine and a movie," Josh said, "we have that open bottle of white from last night with two glasses in it."

"Perfect," Annie agreed.

They tidied the last of the mess and turned the dishwasher on before snuggling up to watch one of Josh's favourite Christmas movies on the couch before bed.