Annie sighed, "fourth Christmas Eve in a row."
"I know," Josh complained, "I want one home with my wife."
"I know our first official Christmas and we're working," Annie groaned.
"Only until noon," Josh reminded, "then we go home for our nap and your parents for dinner."
"It's a PJ one again. They're on my dresser," Annie replied.
"Will we do this every year," Josh groaned.
"It's up to mama and auntie Meghan," Annie replied.
"I guess it's better than a suit and tie," Josh replied.
"That used to be Christmas Eve. With the dress that matched Jessica's it was awful," Annie complained.
"They really did that," Josh asked.
"They did," Annie said rolling her eyes, "Who's on as attendings?"
"Toews for Cardio and Kepner for trauma," Josh said, "that's it for attendings."
"And Chris is doing the morning with my parents and leaving at noon to make it for dinner," Annie said.
"Teddy knows," Josh asked.
"She does," Annie replied, "depending on time he may go straight there but he's staying with us until we go to the cabin then he's in the loft again."
Josh asked, "what's Becky doing?"
"With her family she was invited but doesn't want to," Annie said, "Becky is friends with Jessica."
"My dad is at Nathan and Meghans," Josh said, "dad sounded good when we talked. He's been clean since his surgery but he didn't say much about mom."
"I hardly know them," Annie replied, "they only came up the night before our wedding and left the next morning."
"They get jealous that I'm closer to uncle Nathan then to them," Josh replied.
"What's the plan other than sitting here talking," Annie asked.
"You, me, locked on call room," Josh teased.
"You're waiting till we get home," Annie laughed.
"Before we finish residency I'm getting you in an on call room," Josh teased.
"Not happening," Annie teased.
"It's on my residency bucket list babe," Josh complained.
"And my parents not catching us in a locked on call room is a huge priority for me," Annie retorted.
"Only two attendings tonight," Josh replied.
"Josh not here," Annie insisted, "wait till we get home."
"Annie," he groaned.
She whispered in his ear, "you, me, special Christmas pajamas just for you think red and barely there. Maybe a bath together."
"I like how you think," Josh smiled.
"Good things come to those who wait," Annie smirked before giving Josh a passionate kiss.
"Stop teasing me," Josh laughed.
"I'll try," Annie giggled pressing closer to him.
"Mini Altman, Riggs jr," April called, "I need your help with something."
"What are we doing," Annie asked.
"Go up to peds and help me bring as many kids as can be moved to the lecture hall," April said.
"Why," Josh asked.
"Christmas surprises," April smiled, "cheif Altman is involved."
"She's home with Ali and Leo," Annie said.
"Are you sure," April teased.
"Dr Kepner what's going one," Annie asked.
"Just go get as many of your peds cardio kids as you can move down and their parents," April asked.
"I will," Annie said, "not many of mine can be moved a lot of them need monitors and I don't think we have enough portable ones."
"Do what you can," April said, "you always know your paitents."
"I do," Annie replied, "whoe's helping?"
"You, Riggs Jr, Jones, Silverstone, Liard, Posen, Grewal," April listed.
"I'm going to call for all the portable monitors we can spare then," Annie replied.
"Leave me 3 or 4 for the ER but take the rest," April directed.
"I will," Annie replied.
She sprinted to the elevator and down to the Peds cardio hallway, she began directing every intern she saw to move paitents and which ones to take down. Finally she had the sickest on portable monitors and IVs transferred to move.
"Bella lets head down satirs for a christmas surprise," Annie whispered to a little girl. Bella had been her patient for almost a month now and she had only seen the social worker here a few times for her. The tiny girl was 5 and all alone on Christmas, Annie and Josh had already filled a stocking for her and they would hang it from her IV pole once the little girl was asleep.
"Can you carry me Dr. Grace," Bella asked.
"I have to push you in a wheel chair down stairs but you can sit with me during the surprise," Annie promised.
"What's the surprise," Bella asked.
"I don't know but it looks like fun," Annie smiled.
"Will Dr. Josh sit with us two," Bella asked, "I like when he comes visits."
"Josh will sit with us," Annie said, "I'll ask him to."
"Do you like him," Bella asked, "like grown up like?"
Annie whispered like she was telling a big secret, "I do. He's my husband."
"Do you kiss him," Bella asked.
"Let's go downstairs missy," Annie said, "your chariot awaits."
Annie was getting attached to the little girl which was never good. She had an idea but didn't know how to bring it up. The child was in need of a foster home that could handle her complex medical needs, while her and Josh were not ready to foster or care for children Meghan and Nathan had been openly talking about fostering or adopting. She needed them to see how sweet little Bella was.
Annie pushed Bella's wheelchair into the lecture hall and parked her beside two open seats. Annie took the one on the aisle and waited for Josh. He soon joined them with snacks, hot chocolate and individual bags of popcorn.
"Merry CHristmas Bella," Josh said as he passed the little girl her treats.
"Merry Christmas Dr. Josh," Bella smiled. She liked sitting with her favourite doctors, they were happy and always made time for her.
"Can I sit with you," Bella asked.
"Do you want to sit on my lap," Annie offered.
"Yes please," Bella whispered.
Annie lifted the tiny child and settled her in her lap.
Teddy appeared on the stage, "Merry Christmas everyone. I'm Dr Teddy Altman chief of surgery here and I'd like to welcome you to our first annual Christmas Eve party. Tonight we have a movie and some treats for you. Tonight we have the Polar Express for you on our big screen. If you need anything our Nurses and Residents are happy to help. I'm going to join my husband and younger children in the audience to enjoy the movie. Have a great night and enjoy the show."
Teddy walked to where Owen was sitting with the little two. She smiled at Annie on Josh on the way past, noticing the tiny patient in Annie's lap. Her daughter was getting attached to the patient. Teddy was aware of the girl's story, her parents had been killed in a car accident when she was two years and the girl had bounced from foster home to foster home for the last 2 and a half years. She was debating talking to Owen about adding one more baby to their family. Could they manage three littles? One more who had complex and ongoing medical needs? Meghan and Nathan had also been talking about adopting, maybe this sweet little girl with her chocolate brown hair and giant brown eyes would fit with them. They needed to find a foster for Bella soon, Teddy had to discharge her in the next few weeks, the social worker couldn't find a home that fit Bella's complex medical needs and the severity of the girls cystic fibrosis. But they could do what they did with Leo and get an emergency waiver. Teddy knew they had time before she had to force the discharge and Bella was her patient, she could come up with a few ways to keep her.
"Faroke wanted to see the movie," Meghan said sitting down behind Teddy, "you do know Annie is holding a patient right."
"Bella," Teddy said, "5 years old in the foster system, the worst case of CF I've ever seen. No stability, people not dealing with her care. The girl has been here a month. I need at least six more weeks to get her stable then she needs a home."
"Let me guess she's attached herself to Annie," Meghan smiled.
"She has," Teddy replied, "it's Annie."
"Nate and I have been talking about fostering," Meghan whispered, "maybe?"
"Get to know Bella and talk to Nate," Teddy said, "Annie was the first to bond with Leo. But the social worker has mentioned an Aunt that's out of state they're trying to coordinate with."
"It has to be the right fit," Meghan said.
"I understand," Teddy whispered, "I had reservations. Would I connect with him the same way I did with the girls. Annie was actually my hardest to bond with, she was so much older. I started as more of a mentor and almost a cool aunt before she decided I was mama. I let her come to me for the first few months. I actually asked Leslie for permission before I invited Annie down to stay with me at the cottage the first time."
"We could foster and see," Meghan said, "I just don't want to promise and get anyone's hopes up."
"Talk to Nathan," Teddy urged, "take Faroke to meet her watch them interact. We watched all three interact and play together we spent time with him one on one while he was here and got to know him."
The movie started and the conversation stopped. At the end of the movie jingle bells rang through the lecture hall.
"HO, Ho, Ho Merry Christmas," a voice echoed through the silent room.
"Santa," a child's voice called.
Meghan whispered, "where's Nathan?"
Teddy pointed to the stage where Santa was making his way to the chair followed by a heard of excited children in pajamas.
Annie pushed Bella's wheelchair forward.
"Dr. Grace, is it really Santa," Bella asked.
"It is," Annie promised, "have you been good this year?"
"Yes," Bella replied.
Annie thought she knew who was playing Santa, most of the staff would recognize the voice and slight accent.
"Dr. Altman," Santa called, "can you come help me?"
"Which one," Teddy yelled back.
"Both, you've both been very good this year," Santa smiled.
"Josh can you watch my patient," Annie asked.
"I can," Josh smiled, "go be an elf"
"Please no elf costumes," Annie groaned.
"My two helpers need hats," Santa declared, holding up two elf hats.
This wasn't in the script, Teddy and Nathan had not talked about this part.
"Thank you santa," Annie said, taking her hat and putting it on her head.
"Where did all these presents come from," Teddy asked, faking surprise.
"My workshop," Santa chuckled, "the elves made them."
"How can we help," Annie asked.
"Can you help the kids get up here," Nathan asked.
"We can," Teddy smiled.
Santa began calling names, first many of the children and siblings from the peds wing.
Teddy saw an anxious little face in the audience and handed Santa one of the presents in the bag.
"Leo Altman-Hunt," Santa called.
Leo scampered from where he was sitting with Owen in the audience and jumped on Santa's lap. Annie took her phone from her pocket and snapped a couple pictures.
"Faroke Hunt-Riggs," Santa yelled.
The teenager groaned but took his Santa photo , again and accepted his new novel, the latest release from his favourite author.
"Me daddy," Allison asked, "my turn."
"Soon munchkin," Owen promised.
Several more kids were called and there was only one gift in the bag.
"Allison Altman-Hunt," Santa called.
"Daddy Santa," Allison beamed, "lets go."
Owen walked Allison up to see Santa and have her picture taken. Having finished with the gifts Santa left and Teddy stood on the stage Allison balanced on her hip. The little girl was adorable with her red hair in braids and candy cane striped Christmas pyjamas with hot chocolate around her mouth. Allison was sleepy and laid her head on Teddy's shoulder with her arms around Teddy's neck. Teddy could do the rest of her night carrying Allison. Tonight she was going to savour this with her baby, she knew there wouldn't be too many of these left.
"If I could have everyone's attention please," Teddy said into the microphone.
The hall fell silent.
"I want to thank everyone for attending our first annual Christmas Eve party here at Grey Sloan memorial," Teddy said, "we hope everyone enjoyed the movie and our surprise visitor. Our staff are going to help transport our patients back to their rooms. For those of you that are interested there is a midnight mass in our chapel. Residents, Fellows and Attendings there is a late night meal for you in the conference room off my office please help yourselves. Merry Christmas."
Annie took little Bella back to her room and tucked the little girl in.
"Good night Bella," Annie said as she pulled the covers tight around the little girl.
Bella yawned, "good night."
"Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite," Annie smiled from the door as she turned off the light.
She joined the rest of the residents in the conference room for a midnight dinner, this isn't so bad. The movie wasn't a bad way to pass the time.
"I remember grandmere and papa taking all of us to see that movie when I was in high school," Annie smiled, "we went after church one Sunday so our parents could go Christmas shopping. There was this movie theatre in Cloverdale that did $5 double features on Sunday afternoons. So they walked us all down and we watched the movies Polar Express and the Grinch then we went back to their house and they ordered pizza and grandmere had made snowman cupcakes."
"Is that mama Altman's mom," Julia asked.
"No," Annie said, "it's Dan's parents and the family that adopted me. I never got to meet mama's parents. She lost them in 2000 and 2001. I've seen lots of pictures and heard stories."
"I still don't understand why you were adopted," Cameron said, he wasn't part of their usual group of friends.
"Mama was 21 and her first year of med school. She didn't think she could do it on her own and give me the life she wanted me to have," Annie said, "she wanted me to have two parents and my bio father didn't stick around. There was always a lot of communication between mom and mama. Cameron mom and mama are two separate and very different people for me."
"You're okay with this," Cameron asked.
"I always knew I was adopted," Annie said, "I met mama when I was 19 and we connected. But I was the black sheep of the family I grew up with. I never really matched and not just looks. They were all very social. I'm an introvert, I love to read and create and they don't."
"Wasn't that your sister who attacked you this fall," Cameron asked.
"It was. That's why I don't go back," Annie replied, "I don't want to go to BC. It isn't home anymore. But it's Christmas Eve enough for tonight."
"What are you doing tomorrow," Jenna asked.
"Mama's for breakfast when we get off then home to nap and dinner at Nanas," Annie replied.
"Same as every year," Josh smiled.
"This year's might be our best yet," Annie smirked.
"What did you do," Josh asked.
"You'll see," Annie giggled.
Their pagers went off allerting them to a trauma coming into the pit. They all ran downstairs and did everything they could.
"I'm cracking the chest," Annie said.
"Now without an attending," gasped an intern.
"We do it or we lose him," Annie said, "page Toews."
"What are you doing Grace," April asked.
"I need to crack the chest," Annie replied.
"Why," April clarified.
"Ultrasound shows blood in the pericardium," Annie said, "there's evidence of a cornanary dissection I need him in the OR now."
"Can you do it," April asked.
"I've done one with mama," Annie replied, "page the chief."
"You want to page her on Christmas eve at 1am," the intern said.
"Page chief Altman or get out," Annie replied, "she'll be here by the time were in the OR and prepped."
"How do you know," the intern asked, "he hadn't world with Grace Altman before."
"She's my mother, she will come. Take my phone from my pocket and page her 911," Annie hissed.
"I thought that was a rumor," the intern said.
"No," Josh replied, "Annie I'm paging Teddy you do what you need to."
"I want a CT," April said.
"I'm going with you," Annie said, "if he starts coding I'm cracking it."
Josh held Annie's phone to her ear, she listened carefully.
"Chief Altman wants the portable CT done in the OR," Annie declared, "we need to get him up and on bypass now."
"You heard her," April said, "get this man to the OR. Grace, I hope you know what you're doing."
"Dr Kepner I can get him on bypass," Annie replied. They ran the man to the OR and Annie began to open him up and spread his ribs under April's watchful eye.
"Everything is in place start bypass," Annie called as Teddy walked into the OR.
"Dr. Altman do you have this under control to start," Teddy called.
"Just Draining the pericardium and assessing the damage," Annie replied, "I need grafts and bovine pericardium can you call down for it?"
"I can," Teddy replied, Annie was running a trauma and from all accounts had taken the lead.
"Do you want to do it mama," Annie asked.
"You've got it," Teddy praised, "I think you can run it. I'll be here to direct."
"Get your hands in here," Annie said, "we'll be faster together."
"We will," Teddy agreed.
"We need music," Annie said.
"Christmas music please," Teddy called.
Annie and Teddy worked on the damaged portions of the man's heart and lungs while April and Josh repaired the abdominal injuries.
Just after five they scrubbed out.
"Good work and good call paging me," Teddy praised the team in the scrub room.
"Thank you," April said, "sorry to disrupt your night with your kids."
"The little two were in bed, Owen put everything under the tree and I got to spend time with my oldest," Teddy smiled, "now I need coffee and a shower before I see my little ones."
"We're off at 6:30," Annie said, "we'll come after."
"Just change to street clothes and come," Teddy said.
"I have my snowman sweater," Annie laughed, "must be festive."
"You always are," Teddy said.
"That was cool having Nathan be Santa," Annie said.
"Owen was going to but it would be hard to trick Ali and Leo," Teddy said.
"They love Santa," Annie said, "did you see Ali's face when she was last?"
"I know," Teddy replied, "but I did their gifts first."
"Where did all that come from," Annie asked.
"Chiefs discretionary fund, it's a good use of a few hundred," Teddy said, "it resets in a week anyway."
"A week today your officially chief and we're at the cabin," Annie smiled.
"Please I've been doing the job since Bailey announced it," Teddy said, "it was just a distraction tactic to get people who love her and aren't sure about me on my side."
"Grey, Karev, Shepard," Annie said.
"Shepard and I work well professionally and she's over the liking Owen thing," Teddy said.
"But she's Grey's sister so is Pierce," Annie said.
"Sister in law," Teddy clarified, "good work and good catch tonight. I'm going home, we'll see you for breakfast."
"See you later," Annie smiled.
Annie went to complete the chart and update the patient's family.
Teddy let herself in and changed back to pajamas hoping to surprise the kids. Owen had texted that Allison had a bad dream and wanted mama. She crawled into bed beside Owen.
"Hey," Owen whispered sleepily, "how did it go?"
"Really well," Teddy yawned, "we did it as a team. Our usual Christmas eve surgery."
"Are you tired," Owen asked.
Teddy yawned before she could get a word out.
"Sleep my love," Owen said, "I'll distract the kids for a bit. Text Annie to delay."
"They have to get the kittens from your moms," Teddy yawned.
"They will," Owen said, "Josh texted. Annie got pulled into a heart attack right as you got home."
"Okay," Teddy yawned, "can I have an hour?"
"I can do that Teds," Owen replied before pulling her into his arms. Teddy snuggled next to him and put her head on his chest, he kissed the top of her head but she was already asleep.
Leaving the hospital just after seven Annie and Josh raced to Evelyns. They picked up the kittens and Annie tied the big red bows on their collars.
Pulling into the drive way Annie texted Teddy.
Owen opened the front door, "mama is still asleep and the littles have gone to cuddle with her."
"So we can hide these guys," Annie whispered.
"Just put them in the living room," Owen smiled.
Annie and Josh carried the kittens into the living room.
"Do you want me to start the waffles," Annie asked.
"Go see your mama and siblings," Owen said, "we'll make hot chocolate."
"Are you sure," Annie said, "I don't want to wake her up."
"Go," Owen said, "she always likes time with the three of you. Better you to wake her today than me."
Annie ran up the stairs, walking into Teddy and Owen's room she held her finger to her lips signaling the little two to be quiet. She sat down on the edge of the bed.
"What's everyone doing still in bed," Annie asked.
"Nee," Allison said, "mama Nee is here."
"My three babies," Teddy yawned as she sat up, "good morning my loves."
"Good morning mama," Annie said giving Teddy a hug, "you might want to go downstairs I think I saw to small fluffy creatures climbing your tree."
"What's climbing the tree," Teddy yawned.
"I'm not totally sure but I think I might have seen kittens trying to climb the tree but it can't be you don't have pets," Annie teased.
"Annie what are you saying," Teddy asked,
"Well Santa came," Annie smiled.
"No it can't be Christmas morning," Teddy yawned, "I just went back to bed."
"It is and I haven't been to bed yet," Annie smiled, "so Santa couldn't have come for me. He must have come for Ali and Leo."
"Two more minutes with my three babies then we'll go down and see what Santa brought," Teddy said pulling all three close to her, Leo getting squished between Annie and Teddy.
"Your squishing me," Leo giggled.
"I could tickle you," Teddy teased.
"Really mama I'm a bit old for this," Annie teased.
"This never happens," Teddy said with a smile, "that I get all three of you just me and my kids. All cozy like this."
"Once in a while," Annie said, "we need more movie nights."
"We do," Teddy agreed.
"Hot cocoa is ready," Owen bellowed up the stairs.
Teddy called back, "coming. Just need to change out of pyjamas."
"Hurry mama," Allison said.
"Santa came," Leo yelled, "Annie said so."
"It looked like he came," Annie said, "lets go wait on the top of the stairs for mama."
Annie took her little siblings by the hands and led them to sit with her on the top of the stairs. Teddy smiled watching the three go. If you had asked her five years ago she never would have imagined this. Five years ago she would have told you she was going to where ever Annie was doing her residency to see her. Five years ago Annie had flown to see Teddy in Germany, they had spent the day cooking together and drinking wine in leggings and hoodies. That night they had face timed with Owen and Evelyn. It had been their second Christmas in Germany.
"Should we go see what Santa brought," Teddy asked.
Leo and Allison ran down the stairs.
"What are you thinking about," Annie asked seeing the look on Teddy's face.
"Just how amazed and thankful I am to have this," Teddy replied, "five years ago it was you and I in my apartment just the two of us."
"That's the year we face timed uncle Owen and nana and we had our Christmas dinner and they had their breakfast," Annie said.
"We didn't get dressed all day," Teddy laughed, "we stayed in leggings and hoodies."
"And had like three or four bottles of wine. I think we started when we started cooking around lunch time," Annie said, "my favourite christmas in Germany was when Chris came for the first one."
"People thought I had two kids," Teddy laughed.
"He'll be here for dinner tonight," Annie said, "he won't miss it."
"Mama ittens," Allison yelled.
"Kitties," Leo screeched.
"Christmas kittens how did these get here," Teddy asked, "Owen do you know where these kittens came from?"
"They were in the tree when I came down," Owen said.
"I got this one before it escaped," Josh said picking up the Smokey grey kitten with a white stomach, "it has a note on it's bow. Merry christmas Allison love mama and daddy."
"My kitty," Allison yelled running to Josh.
"Gentle with the kitten baby girl," Teddy cautioned, "lets pet him together."
"My kitty," Allison yelled.
Annie caught the orange and white tabby , "this one says merry Christmas Leo love mama and daddy."
"Do they have names," Owen asked.
"This one says Socks on her name tag," Teddy said
Annie looked at the one she was holding ,"Leo his name in tiger."
"It's a boy," Teddy looked worried.
"Orange cats are always male," Annie said, "but he's cute."
"Socks is female," Teddy said.
"You just need a good Vet," Annie said, "we have a great one for Milo."
"Kitties," Allison squealed again.
The two kittens were placed on the floor and the littles were petting and playing with them. Annie giggled at the little squeaks and meows from the tiny balls of fur. Soon the playful creatures fell asleep under the couch out of reach from little hands.
"Should we see what else Santa brought," Owen asked.
"Presents," Leo squealed, "daddy please."
"Stockings first," Teddy said, handing out the stockings. They had filled the stockings with little treats and more practical things like socks, shampoo and bubble bath.
After all the gifts had been opened and breakfast eaten Annie and Josh excused them selves to go home, feed their cat and have a nap.
Crawling into bed for their nap Annie whispered, "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Josh echoed.
"We have gifts under our tree," Annie said.
"Don't get up now," Josh said, "we can do that after our nap or after dinner. I have other ideas right now."
"Do you," Annie teased, "tell me."
Josh didn't say a word instead giving her a passionate kiss.
Just after six they all met up at Evelyn's.
"Who's missing," Evelyn asked.
"Chris," Josh replied.
They heard a car door slam. Evelyn threw open the front door.
"Merry Christmas," Chris said as he came in.
"C you made it," Annie called.
"I always do Ann," Chris replied, "if I tell you I'm coming I will be there."
"Chris Santa brought us Kittens," Leo yelled.
"You got kittens for Christmas," Chris asked, "lucky we never got anything that cool."
"Nope," Annie agreed, "C we have Christmas PJs for you."
"I brought my own," Chris said.
"You need to wear them," Meghan commanded, but they could all hear the teasing tone underneath.
"Seriously," Chris asked.
"Seriously we're all wearing them," Owen replied.
"Get changed then it's time for dinner. It's good to have you home Chris," Evelyn said with a smile.
"Every time I come this feels more like home," Chris agreed.
"Did the morning go okay," Annie asked.
"The usual argument about me seeing you but it's not their decision," Chris said, "but I do have a couple things for you from mom and dad in my truck."
"I didn't send anything this year," Annie said looking panicked.
"After what's happened and how they've treated you why would you," Chris said.
"I forgot to mail it," Annie said, "I was going to call and apologize and ship it late."
"I'm here today and tomorrow then have to go back on the 27th for something with Becky's family but will be back on the 30th for the ski trip," Chris said, "I can deliver."
"Please and let them know I had it before Christmas I just never made it to the post office," Annie groaned.
"It's bins of something. She just said it's yours and you should have it," Chris said, "heavy and fragile."
"My christmas village," Annie asked, "all the little china houses and people?"
"I think so, four big pink rubbermaid bins, with Annie's Christmas Stuff written on them in your writing," Chris said, "and a couple things in wrapping paper for both of you."
"When we get home," Annie said, "four big pink bins should be my village. There are pieces in there that were great grandmas and granny Nuefeld's. I haven't set it up since I was 20. I wasn't home enough at 21 to set it up."
"I remember that. It took all the shelves in your bedroom, every surface was covered in it," Teddy smiled.
"It was my favourite Christmas decoration but I've never been able to bring myself to buy a new one because of the history of the one I had," Annie explained.
"Set it up when you get home," Teddy said.
There was a final knock on the door.
"Dad," Josh said, opening it, "I didn't think you were coming."
"I said I was," Ian replied, "I wanted to see my favourite son and daughter-in-law for Christmas."
"Only daughter in law," Annie replied.
"Still the favourite Annie," Ian replied, "I don't have Christmas pyjamas I hope sweats are okay."
"They are," Evelyn said, "come in Ian."
"We have a spare Santa hat," Teddy offered.
"That would be good," Ian agreed.
Teddy took the hat out of her bag and handed it to him.
Seeing the kids were out of the room Nathan offered, "I have a full suit if you want it."
"You can be the big guy in red," Ian replied.
They soon gathered around the table for dinner, it was crowded and the card table had to be added to the end to fit everyone but they were all together. The family laughed and joked. After dinner they exchanged gifts and Owen brought out his guitar so everyone could sing carols.
In the car on the way home Annie asked, "why would they send my bins now?"
"Your sure that's whats in it," Josh asked.
"99 percent sure," Annie replied.
"Just wait until we get home," Josh said.
Pulling into the driveway they helped Chris bring the bins in. placing the first one on the living room floor Annie lifted the lid and pulled back the cotton batting she used to use as snow, she lifted out a miniature china house, followed by a school, church, toy store and cafe. One by one she unpacked every tiny building and diminutive figure, people, animals, vehicles it was all there.
"It's all here," Annie said, "every piece I remember even Granny's nativity set with the cripled lamb like in the story book."
Opening the last bin Annie saw a letter on top, the bin was filled with ornaments, the ones Leslie had picked out every year of their childhood to show what they had accomplished that year. She saw some she didn't recognize: a lab coat, x-ray and scrubs, stethoscope, doctor, the space needle, a bride and groom and our first christmas.
"There's a letter," Annie said, "Josh can you read it first."
"You can," Josh said.
Annie read the letter
Dear Annie Bear,
Merry Christmas Bear! Dad and I will come see you in the new year when our new passports arrive. We have had them mailed to Uncle Jim's for safe keeping. I'm not sure what your Christmas day looks like but I know your brother is joining you for dinner and you were working Christmas eve. We just wanted to let you know that we love you Bear. I should have done this when you first came back to the west coast, I've sent your christmas bins with Chris. We've been able to keep them safe at Grandma's since you left, your whole village is there even the pieces from Granny and Great Grandma. We see now why you don't come home and we're going to do everything we can to come see you. In your christmas ornament bin you'll find some new ones, one for each year you've been away:
2011 - lab coat - first year of medical school
2012 - stethoscope - second year of medical school
2013 - xray - third year of medical school
2014 - scrubs - last year of medical school, almost a doctor
2015 - Space needle - moved to seattle
2016 - engagement ring - got engaged
2017 - heart - chose heart surgery
2018 - bride and groom - got married
We can't wait to hear from you and see you very soon. We'll let you know as soon as our new passports arrive.
Merry Christmas Annie Bear.
All our love,
Mom and Dad.
"They actually ordered passports," Annie said.
"They did," Chris replied, "they might come now."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Annie said, "but I'm happy to have my village and ornaments back. All my ballerinas seem to be there, every character I ever danced in the nutcracker."
"Put them on the tree," Josh said, "I'll help, I want to hear the stories."
They put the ornaments on the tree while Annie told each story or which characters she had danced in the Nutcracker that year.
"You were better then you say weren't you," Josh said.
"She could have joined a ballet company," Chris said.
"It was only ever a hobby not a career," Annie admitted, "I started my solo seal the final you have to be perfect for the exam then my pas de deux partner was killed by a drunk driver and I didn't love it as much. It was different. There was never anything between us other than being a team, and talking about which boys in chem class were cute."
"We have a few more things to open," Josh said, he was excited he had found an adult highland class that worked with their schedule and going through her old dance stuff had figured out what type and size of highland shoe she had liked.
"I'm going to head to bed," Chris said. He was exhausted; he didn't know how Annie and Josh were still that alert and energetic.
"Night C," Annie said watching Chris walk into the office.
"Night Ann, Josh," Chris replied.
"So Mrs Riggs," Josh said, "we have a few more presents to open."
"We do," Annie giggled.
"Here or our room," Josh asked.
"Here," Annie said, she had one surprise for him in their room but it could wait.
"This is for you," Josh said, passing Annie a shoe box sized package.
"What is this," Annie said, "it's the size of a shoe box but it's too light."
"Open it," Josh said.
Annie tore the paper off and saw the name on the box, it was the same brand of dance shoes they used to bring in from Scotland for her. She lifted the lid on the box.
"Dance shoes," Annie said, "what's going on."
"Read the note," Josh said.
Annie read the card, "you found adult drop in lessons? Classes that I can actually make. How did you do this?"
"I got the name from Kira and I emailed the teacher," Josh said.
"Thank you," Annie said, "you have no idea how much I missed it. But how did you get the shoes?"
"Your old pairs," Josh admitted, "there's a shop in BC that ships internationally really fast."
"I know which one," Annie smiled, "I'm excited for my first lesson. This is for you."
"What is it," Josh asked, looking at the big box.
"Just open it," Annie said.
Josh tore off the paper, "you didn't."
"You can wear them next week," Annie said, he had been looking at new snowboard boots but hadn't bought them.
"It's the exact pair I wanted," Josh said, "how did you?"
"You used my computer at work one night and looked them up," Annie admitted.
"Thank you," Josh smiled, "I love you."
"I love you too," Annie said as she curled up beside him on the couch, "theres a couple more little things."
"I have a couple other things for you," Josh said.
They exchanged their gifts and then went to bed, thankful they had the 26th off to enjoy the time at home and relax.
Owen and Teddy were sitting on the couch when they heard a crash from the kitchen.
"What was that," Teddy asked, jumping up.
"I don't know," Owen replied, "but it didn't sound good."
"Kid or kitten," Teddy asked walking into the kitchen.
"Kitten," Owen said, "kids would be louder."
They walked into the kitchen and found the floor covered in coffee grounds and loose tea.
"Crap," was all Owen could get out.
"This is a mess," Teddy agreed, trying to suppress her laughter.
"I'll get the vacuum," Owen said.
"I have the kittens," Teddy replied, "can we lock them in the laundry room with their litter box overnight?"
"Seeing this I would," Owen agreed.
"I thought the kids were messy," Teddy said, "how did two little kittens do this?"
"They knocked the containers off the counter," Owen said.
"Good thing those containers are metal," Teddy said, "but this is a mess. It's worse than the day Leo got into the rice."
"When did that happen," Owen asked.
"A couple weeks ago," Teddy replied, "he tried to use it to make a snow storm in the train table."
"Did you take pictures," Owen asked.
"No I was running late for work. I had to ask your mom to clean it up," Teddy groaned.
"Allison with my whole can of shaving cream," Owen laughed.
"That was funny," Teddy agreed, "she was covered in it. But how did she get it all over our bed. Ground through the pillowcase into my pillow, at least it smelled great."
"Get Socks," Owen said as the grey kitten rolled in the mess on the floor.
"I have Tiger," Teddy said, "he's covered in coffee."
They chased the kittens around the kitchen laughing as they slid in the coffee grounds and tea leaves on the floor. They managed to contain the furry balls of mischief to the laundry room and cleaned up the mess.
"Now I need a shower," Teddy laughed as she climbed the stairs, "there's coffee in my hair."
"I'll help you get it all out," Owen chuckled.