The next day Annie was off and planned how to tell Teddy and Owen. Annie decided to build on the tradition she had started of getting her little siblings picture books for important occasions. She found two storybooks for them and two for Teddy and Owen. She knew Allison and Leo wouldn't understand the message in the books. But Annie found the titles fun. She had "how to babysit an auntie", "how to babysit an uncle", "how to babysit a grandma", and "how to babysit a grandpa". Annie was going to put the books on each person's plate.

Around five Teddy and Owen arrived with their younger kids. Josh passed out three glasses of wine. Teddy's curiosity peaked when she noticed Annie had a glass of apple juice. Annie usually liked a glass of wine while they all chatted. Apple juice was what Annie liked when she was sick. Yesterday Annie and Josh had gone off to OB holding hands then Annie had been snippy with Teddy and refusing to answer her questions or making excuses, today Annie was choosing apple juice over wine and had ducked out of the room when her intern ran the portable X-ray. Annie had been crabby and working through lunch all week. Something wasn't adding up. Teddy wondered if Annie was pregnant. But why hadn't she said something.

They all chatted for a while and shared OR stories from the week.

Annie asked, "mama do you mind helping me get the taco things to the table?"

Teddy replied, "what do you need?"

Annie said, "all the toppings are in the fridge ready to go should be on the top shelf. I just need to move things from the stove to the serving dishes."

Teddy stood in front of the fridge when an ultrasound picture caught her eye. She saw the name in the patient information box Grace Altman, age 28, Oct 7, 1990. Then Teddy saw the observations, baby Altman - Riggs 6weeks 5 days gestation. Teddy walked over to stand beside Annie. The image was dated for the day before.

"Annie," Teddy said, "is there something you want to tell me?"

Annie giggled, "about that."

Teddy turned and saw Annie point to the fridge, "I guess so."

"Don't tell anyone yet but I'm almost seven weeks pregnant. We only found out yesterday," Annie said, "promise me you won't be mad. I know you kept saying to finish residency first but baby is coming."

Teddy hugged her tightly, "congratulations sweetheart. When are you due?"

"Mid May Carina says between the 10th and 15th," Annie said, "she'll nail down a date later when baby is a bit bigger. Don't say anything until dinner. I have a story for each of you. It's on your plate. Promise your not mad. I can't deal with you being mad at me."

Teddy replied, "I can wait a few minutes for you to tell. Congratulations sweetheart. I'm not mad, surprised yes. This is exciting."

Owen walked into the kitchen, "Allison wants juice is that okay?"

Not thinking Annie replied, "it's in the fridge help yourself."

"Grace Altman," he read out loud. He looked puzzled looking at the image, "this isn't yours is it Annie?"

Josh joined them in the kitchen hearing Owen's comments.

"Why would you ask me that," Annie asked.

"Your legal name is on it and it's on your fridge," Owen replied.

"Look at what it is," Annie giggled.

"Is this, are you," Owen asked.

Annie beamed, "uncle Owen I'm pregnant. Baby comes mid May."

Owen hugged her, "congratulations."

Teddy asked, "are you feeling okay?"

Annie replied, "I've been really nauseous the last few days and more tired than normal. That's why we even did the blood test. I hadn't been feeling good for over a week. Then it got really bad the last three or four days. I thought it was a virus at first."

Teddy replied, "that's to be expected. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Josh replied, "we found out yesterday and wanted one night to ourselves to celebrate."

"Did you know when I asked you about a baby of your own yesterday," Teddy asked.

Annie nodded, "it was really hard not to tell you. It took everything I had not to blurt it out in the scrub room. I was literally biting my tongue. We had just seen Carina. I wanted to tell you but I promised Josh we would both be there."

"When I asked if you were feeling okay and you told me you were just tired," Teddy asked, "you really weren't feeling well were you?"

"I felt like crap. I wanted to vomit and was grumpy because I felt terrible and wanted to go home but I couldn't tell you," Annie said, "I knew if I told you what I was feeling you would know instantly."

"So you were snappy with me. I'm sorry I pushed you sweetheart ," Teddy replied, "you need to stick to your hours now. Tell me or your attending if you're not feeling well and take the time you need. We need you and your baby to be healthy. We'll find more help on our research and I'll lay down the law about skills labs."

"Thanks mama. I know I need to watch it," Annie said, "but I like teaching interns. Especially what I'm doing now about working with kids and families."

"It has a new meaning," Owen agreed, "you changed how I worked with teens and young adults after your laparotomy and Allison and Leo drastically changed how I work with kids."

"Are you excited," Teddy asked.

"We are," Josh and Annie said together.

Teddy asked, "this is planned? You know I didn't plan either of mine."

Annie smiled, "we want this. It's time for us to have a baby. It's a bit sooner than we thought, we had only just decided to let nature do it's thing. We've been together 8 years even if we've only been married for one and we're ready to do this together. I don't know why I didn't recognize the symptoms sooner."

Teddy nodded, "I didn't put it together until 8 weeks with you and 7 with Allison. Don't feel bad. You've been really busy and working odd shifts."

Owen said, "you're so young."

"Uncle Owen I'll be 29 next month ," Annie replied, "Josh is 30 in November."

"I was 20 when I got pregnant with her," Teddy pointed out, "and 21 when she was born."

"You're still our little Annie," Owen said, "in her mama's scrub cap holding a retractor for the first time."

"I've grown up," Annie said.

"You have," Owen said, "we're proud of both of you."

"You didn't say anything about trying," Teddy said.

Annie said, "we decided if it happened it happened. And who talks to their parents about that?"

"It's fifth year," Owen pointed out.

"We know," Josh said, "between the two of us we can do it. Annie will need to have some time off between the baby and the boards. We're working on a plan. I want time off when the baby comes if I can get it."

"Your fellowships," Teddy said.

"We knew we wanted to go together or be as close as possible," Josh said, "well apply to things in the same city."

Annie replied, "my first choice is the cardio or peds cardiac programs here. Josh wants trauma either here or Maryland."

"I won't spend two years training away from my wife and child," Josh said, "if I don't get our fellowship there's always Pac North, Tacoma, or Seattle Presbyterian. Worst case I do general until I get a trauma fellowship in Seattle."

Owen nodded, "you're a strong contender for our fellowship."

"Annie is the only applicant so far to the peds cardio," Teddy said, "but it's early and I have two cardio fellowship spots as well. Applications only opened yesterday."

Alison wandered into the kitchen, "why are all the grownups here?"

Teddy replied, "we're just talking."

Alison asked, "then why are you and Annie smiling like that mama."

Annie looked at Josh who nodded. She picked up her little sister putting Allison on her hip, "Ali bean can you keep a big secret?"

Alison nodded, "I'm good at secrets."

Annie teased, "it's a big girl secret I don't know if I can trust you."

Looking on Teddy beamed at the sweet relationship that had developed between her girls. Alison idolized Annie and Annie doted on her baby sister.

"I won't tell! I promise," Alison said.

Annie whispered, "you have to promise not to tell anyone even nana and auntie Meghan can you do that?"

Alison nodded seriously, "pinky swear."

Annie linked pinkies with her baby sister.

"Okay then," Annie said, she whispered in her sister's ear, "I'm having a baby."

Alison asked, "where is the baby? I don't see it."

Annie laughed.

Teddy answered, " It's in Annie's tummy. Babies grow in their mommies tummies for 9 months. Annie's baby has about 8 months left to grow."

"When will it finish growing," Alison asked.

Annie replied, "in May. It's September so we have my birthday, Halloween, Josh's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, your birthday , Leo's birthday, Easter, daddy's birthday then the baby comes. They grow for almost a year Ali bean."

Alison looked amazed, "that's a long time can you make it grow any faster."

Teddy replied, "we can't baby girl that's the way babies grow. We want them safe and growing in their mommy for that whole time. Annie trusted you with a big girl secret today. Until Annie says you can tell people you can't tell anyone even nana and auntie Meghan."

"Annie, how did a baby get in your tummy," asked Allison.

"Ali bean you need to ask mama that one," Annie said.

"Mama how did a baby get in Annie's tummy," asked Allison.

"When you're a bit bigger I'll explain it," Teddy said.

"How big," Allison asked.

"In a few years," Teddy said. Teddy was not ready to tell her three and a half year old how babies were made right that second. But Allison was inquisitive and observant. She would have lots of questions about the baby and her big sister. Allison idolized Annie, the girls were cute together. Annie had always made time to play with and spend time with Allison. Annie's baby would change that relationship because Annie wouldn't have the time to spend with Allison one on one. Annie was good with Leo and spent time with him but he didn't have the same connection with his older sister. Leo prefered Josh.

"Can I have a hint now," Allison asked, thinking this was a guessing game like when mama or daddy had a surprise for her.

"Owen help me out here," Teddy said wide eyed.

"Well munchkin when two adults love each other a lot like mama and daddy do or Annie and Josh sometimes they decide to have a baby. So they spend lots of time together just the two of them," Owen said.

"But how does spending time together put a baby in Annie's tummy," Allison asked.

"That part we will tell you when you're a bit older," Teddy said firmly. Allison recognized the no nonsense tone.

"My teacher said grownups have to be married to have a baby," Allison added.

"Not always munchkin," Owen said, "but they have to love and trust each other a lot. Mama and I weren't married when you were in her tummy but we knew we really really loved each other and we could always trust each other."

"Were you married when Annie was born," Allison asked.

"No baby girl," Teddy said, "I hadn't even met daddy yet. Annie has a different daddy. That's why Annie calls daddy uncle Owen. Because until she finished school daddy was my best friend."

"Where is Annie's daddy," Allison asked.

"In Cloverdale," Annie said.

"Do you see him," Allison asked.

"I haven't in a few years," Annie said, "but his mom and dad come see me sometimes and my brother Chris comes all the time. You love Chris."

"Do you miss your daddy," Allison asked.

Annie said, "sometimes but your daddy is my dad in a lot of ways, in all the important ways. He gets to be my baby's grandpa."

Josh knowing how Annie felt about the McKellars and her melt down that morning about not being able to share this with them wrapped his arms around her. Annie let her head fall against his shoulder. Josh knew Annie wanted to tell Leslie about the baby. She wanted to have both her mama and her mom. He wished she could have that.

"Where are Josh's mommy and daddy," Allison asked.

"They're in Portland. Annie and I go see them a couple times a year," Josh said, "my mom is sick and it's hard for her to travel. But Uncle Nathan is more like my dad."

"Are Nathan and Meg coming," Teddy asked, trying to end Allison's questions. Leo was still in the office playing with lego, he preferred toys to people.

Josh said, "they are but just for desert. They had cross country with Faroke."

"Should we tell them," Annie asked, "I want to and to see her reaction. She's always over the top about everything. Nathan will be around most from Josh's side. But I know they've been wanting a baby. She's mentioned it a few times and I overheard the two of you when she was venting about not being able to have one. I don't want to hurt her and rub it in."

Teddy smiled, "Meghan is very observant. She'll figure it out if you don't tell her soon and you're on her service for the next two weeks Annie. She knew about Allison before we even hinted at it. She figured it out because I was touching my stomach. As your attending she should know. She'll be excited for you. Yes, Meghan may be a bit jealous but she'll never show it to you. She'll be excited and probably ask you tons of questions. She'll want to know everything."

"We'll tell them tonight," Josh said.

"I'm starving," Allison said.

"Okay then Ali bean," Annie laughed, "help mama and I get the food to the table. You're a big girl now."

"What can we do," Owen asked.

"Out of my kitchen," Annie teased, "too many bodies."

"We're going," Josh said, giving Annie a quick kiss on the cheek before they left.

Teddy and Annie finished preparing dinner and let Alison carry things she couldn't spill to the table.

"Leo dinner," Teddy called when everything was on the table.

"Mama there's a book on my plate. We don't eat books," Leo said.

"What's the title," Annie asked.

Owen read it to him, "how to babysit an uncle, I have how to babysit a grandpa."

"Why would I babysit an uncle," Leo asked.

"We'll tell you after dinner," Josh smiled. Unlike Allison Leo would accept this answer and eat his dinner.

They passed around all of the serving dishes and plates. Annie still wasn't feeling great but she knew she had to eat. She wanted time alone with her mama to ask about this. Why was this all day? Teddy noticed that Annie only picked at her food mainly eating the vegetables and rice.

As they were all relaxing in the living room they heard a knock on the door.

Annie answered, " Meghan, Nathan, Faroke, come in."

"Hi Annie," Faroke mumbelled.

"Hey buddy," Annie replied, "your cousins are in the office, want to see what they're up to?"

"Sure," Faroke said skeptically, he knew Annie and Josh kept the toys for the little cousins in the office and some special codable LEGO robots just for him. Faroke had been hoping that Annie and Josh's roommate Duncan was home, Duncan always offered to play video games with him.

"Meg can you help me with coffee and desert," Annie asked.

"Of course," Meghan said, "what do you need?"

"It's just ice cream and fruit so carrying things to the living room," Annie replied, "I need to figure out how to be an octopus. "

"What do you want me to grab," Meghan asked.

"The fruit is all cut up and in the fridge, the ice cream is in the freezer," Annie replied, "can you take it to the coffee table?"

"I can," Meghan replied.

Annie turned on the coffee pot with decaf and started the kettle for tea. She began to get bowls, mugs and spoons from the cupboard. She wanted to keep facing away from Meghan until she knew Meghan had seen what was on the fridge.

Meghan came up behind Annie before whispering , "Annie you're pregnant? When are you due?"

Annie turned around, "mid May. We found out yesterday."

"Are you telling me as your aunt or your attending," Meghan asked.

"Both I guess," Annie replied, "are you my husband's aunt or my step aunt. We've never figured that out."

"Are we excited," Meghan asked.

Annie beamed, "we are. I've wanted a baby of my own since Allison was born."

Meghan gave Annie a hug, "congratulations. Are you feeling okay?How far along?"

"Seven weeks tomorrow," Annie replied, "so far I'm feeling okay just nauseous and not hungry. I'm excited. We only found out yesterday because I'd been feeling off for a while. Let's see what the next few months bring"

"I'm happy for you," Meghan said. Part of Meghan was a little jealous that with her injuries and being in her 40s time was most likely out. They had been trying but it didn't seem like it would happen but she wanted a baby with Nathan. Over the last few years she had gotten close to Annie often feeling like Annie was the younger sister she never had. Meghan was happy to see the younger woman so excited for her new adventure.

Annie said, " thank you we're really excited. Only you mama and uncle Owen know so far."

Meghan continued, "you're on my service for the next couple weeks so tell me if you're not feeling good or there's something you can't do."

"No radiation," Annie replied, "X-ray, CT, caution with the fluoroscope."

"Use your interns for X-ray and CT," Meghan said, "looks like good teaching."

"Thanks Meg," Annie replied, "are you sure your okay with it?"

"I'm happy for you," Meghan smiled, "don't worry about me and Nathan. I'm going to live this vicariously through you so you have to tell me everything. I'll be your best babysitter."

"You're sure," Annie asked.

Meghan hugged Annie, "I am, congratulations Annie this is exciting."

They took the desert things into the family room and Annie called the kids out of the office.

Leo pushed ahead to get at the ice cream.

"Leo slow down," Owen scolded, "there's lots for everyone and stop pushing your sister."

Leo stomped his foot, "Ali won't tell me her secret."

"It's not my secret it's Annie's," Allison said, "and it wouldn't be a secret if I told you."

Annie started scooping ice cream for the kids. She smiled thinking that soon her baby would be with this group and begging for its own bowl of ice cream.

"Earth to Annie," Josh said, "hello are you in there?"

"Sorry," Annie replied, "daydreaming for a second."

Teddy laughed, "understandable."

Nathan asked, "why does everyone look like there's something you're not telling me? Annie is bright red, Josh won't look at me. Teddy is smirking and Owen looks confused. Meghan is trying not to giggle."

Josh looked to Annie. She nodded and pointed to Meghan indicating Meghan knew.

Josh said, "Uncle Nathan, Annie and I are having a baby in May. Annie is almost seven weeks pregnant."

Nathan's jaw dropped, "but you're not done with your residency. It's your fifth year, the big one."

Annie nodded, "we can do it."

"What's your plan for your boards," Owen asked.

"Do them with a newborn," Annie replied, "their only in Portland it's a 4 hour drive."

Allison cut them off, "is Josh having a baby two or did he just tell Annie's secret?"

Annie replied, "only one baby. Only women can have babies. Josh did share my secret. It's okay we're going to keep this a secret between just the people here tonight. Which means I need you three to pinky promise me you won't tell anyone. That includes Tuck Bailey, Faroke. This can't be hospital gossip until i'm ready to say it in public. Uncle Leo, auntie Allison not a word to any one got it?"

"I promise," replied the teenager. The two younger children nodded.

Annie smiled, "now can we celebrate?"

Teddy replied, "we can. We're happy for both of you."

"So are we," Meghan echoed.

Nathan hugged both Annie and Josh at once, "congratulations."

Meghan asked, "have you told Ian and Gloria yet?"

"Just you guys," Annie said, "we found out at noon yesterday. I'll tell Evelyn when we have our tea on Monday."

"Call and tell her," Teddy urged.

"Mom will want to know," Meghan said, "her first great grandchild."

"Take 5 and call her," Owen said, "she'll be hurt she didn't hear the same day."

Annie grabbed her ice cream, "after desert. I'm looking forward to my ice cream and berries."

Annie's bowl was mostly berries and banana chunks with maybe half a scoop of ice cream, she wasn't overly hungry and anytime she had tried to eat that day thought of food had made her feel terrible and she hadn't wanted to try eating. Somehow berries and bananas sounded good.

Teddy took Josh aside, "you need to look after her. Make sure she's eating well and enough. She just picked at her dinner. It's not just her now. "

Josh nodded, "I'm watching. Dinner is the only thing she's felt up to even try eating all day, that bowl of fruit is the only thing she's done more than take a couple mouths full of. It's Annie she doesn't eat when she's excited or upset or sick. She's really excited and not feeling good. I'm worried about the body image issues she's always fought with and her anxiety."

Teddy agreed, " let me worry about that and I'll talk to her when it comes up she'll come see me when she's ready. Tonight enjoy celebrating and start planning and dreaming about your baby. Hold her, tell her how happy you are, tell her she's beautiful. Say all those sweet things. Enjoy the last few months of being just the two of you. Make some memories together."

Annie stepped onto the back porch and called Evelyn.

"Annie I didn't expect you to call," Evelyn said, "is everything all right?"

"Hi nana. I have some exciting news for you," Annie said.

"What did you want to tell me," Evelyn asked.

"Only immediate family knows, me, Josh, mama, uncle Owen, Meg and Nathan," Annie said, "we're going to keep it that way for a while yet."

"Is this something good ," Evelyn asked.

"Very," Annie said, "we found out yesterday I'm pregnant. Due in May."

Evelyn gushed, "that's wonderful darling. Are you feeling okay? How's my first great grandchild?"

"I'm tired and nauseous sometimes but the baby looks good," Annie said.

"If you need anything let me know," Evelyn said, "I'm going to get started on hats and sweaters. Have a good night and congratulations."

"Thanks Nana," Annie said, "I'll see you Monday."

"Any requests for our tea," Evelyn said.

"Something without caffeine please," Annie said, "and your shortbread no one does shortbread like you do."

"I'll have it for you. Good night darling," Evelyn said.

"Good night," Annie said.

Annie found Teddy and Meghan cleaning up dinner and dessert in her kitchen. She went to join then and finish the clean up. She wanted to talk to Teddy and ask her mama a few questions. She knew Meghan would be supportive or at least would be to her face.

Teddy asked, "what did Evelyn say?"

Annie replied, "she's happy for us and will see us Monday."

"A new baby is exciting," Teddy beamed, "my first grandchild."

"And my siblings aren't even in school yet," Annie laughed.

"Next year," Teddy smiled, "my babies aren't babies anymore."

"Okay there grandma," Annie laughed.

"Grandma," Teddy laughed.

"Unless you want to be nana," Annie teased.

"Nope that's Evelyn," Teddy smiled.

"What am I," Meghan asked.

"Auntie Meghan," Annie and Teddy said together.

"Have you told Dan and Leslie," Teddy asked.

"Next time we FaceTime the same with Chris I want to see their faces since they can't be here," Annie replied.

"When does Chris come next," Meghan asked.

"Thanksgiving but I don't want to wait that long," Annie said, "but he has to know before we tell friends or my parents."

"You're right you should tell him first," Teddy agreed.

"It surprised people on the Haiti trip how close you were," Meghan said.

"Half siblings who grew up together," Annie said.

"You do that well," Meghan agreed.

"Makes Dan look like the ass who left mama," Annie said.

"Dan did walk away from you," Teddy said.

"Maybe when I tell them they'll finally have a reason to fight for me," Annie said.

"I hope so," Teddy said, "whatever happens we're excited for you and your baby."

"I'm excited but really nervous," Annie said.

"I was with all three," Teddy replied, "you and Josh will do great. You get to do every step of this with him."

"What if I end up in the hospital like you did the Thanksgiving I was an intern," Annie asked.

"That was more me being 46 than anything," Teddy said, "you'll be 29 with your baby. You can't compare sweetheart. I was 17 years older when I had Allison than you are now. That experience will be totally different. I'm sure you'll be fine, you're young and healthy."

"You whined a lot with Allison and worried," Annie said.

"It's not always comfortable but physically you were a lot easier for me. I was old with Allison. It was a 1 in 1000 chance she even exists," Teddy said, "you were a lot easier physically even if you never stopped moving. I was sicker with Allison than you."

"I've already thrown up the last couple days, this sucks," Annie said.

"I know," Teddy reassured, "it gets better. It won't last long. Ginger tea helped, so did dry toast. Let Josh comfort you and hold your hair."

"He doesn't get to see me like that," Annie whined.

"He's your husband, it's his baby two he will be there to support you," Teddy said.

"He'll never find me attractive again if he sees that," Annie said.

"He loves you," Meghan said, "do you remember how sick and injured I was when I first came home. No matter how many times the medications made me throw up or how bad the pain got, Nathan was there. He held my hair back and rubbed my back and told me it would be okay."

"I don't want Josh to see me sick," Annie said.

"Trust him to be with you," Teddy said, "he's not going to want to see you sick. He's going to do anything he can to make it even a tiny bit better. Why do you think Owen stayed over every night after I told him? Having him there made me just feel just a little better."

"He won't think I'm disgusting," Annie asked.

"He's only going to have empathy for you," Teddy promised, "this isn't you drank too much last night or a stomach virus. He's going to want to make you feel better."

Annie asked, "are you sure?"

"I am," Teddy said, "tell him how he can help you when you're not feeling good."

Annie nodded, "I'll try."

Teddy hugged Annie, "you can always ask me when you have questions. I want to be there for you. I'm excited for you little bear."

Annie returned the hug, "thank you mama. I'm still scared."

"I was with both," Teddy said, "different reasons but there's a tiny little person who needs you. It's okay to be nervous."

"It is," Annie asked, "I'm really excited but I'm scared something will go wrong or I won't be a good mom or I'll mess them up somehow."

"All normal sweetheart," Teddy said, "you work with a ton of nicu babies, you're seeing worst case scenario there. You've been doing 95% of the nicu work for cardio I see why that worries you. You're going to be fine, your baby will be happy and healthy. Being a mama isn't easy but you'll figure it out for your little one. First you need to eat."

"Nothing wants to stay down the last couple days," Annie whined.

"Apple juice, ginger tea, dry toast, try some yogurt," Teddy suggested, "bananas, apples, plain chicken."

"I'm trying," Annie said.

"Let Josh help," Teddy urged, "lean on him sweetheart you don't have to do this alone or be superwoman about it. The dumbest thing I did with Allison was not tell Owen as soon as I knew. I should have been on that plane home to tell him and work it out together not stressing myself out in Germany. Don't be me sweetheart let him in. Let him hold you and tell you it's okay."

"That's not being weak," Annie asked.

"Not at all," Teddy promised, "this is new and exciting for both of you. Enjoy it together as baby grows, let him feel all the kicks and wiggles. Enjoy it together. It was only after Halloween with Allison that I let myself relax and enjoy it with Owen don't do that to yourself. You have a husband who loves you and wants this baby as much as you do. Enjoy it, let him spoil you and get all the foot and back rubs out of it you can."

Annie hugged Teddy, "thanks mama. I'm feeling a bit calmer."

"You should. I'm always here to talk to baby girl. Where did Meg go," Teddy asked.

"Living room," Meghan called, "you needed a moment just the two of you."

They spent the rest of the night chatting about hospital gossip and the upcoming cabin trip.