Monday afternoon Annie walked up Evelyn's front steps and knocked on the door. The girls tea had become a family tradition after Allison was born where one afternoon a month the 4 women and the little girl would gather for tea and to catch up. They always set the table for a proper high tea with scones and cream followed by tiny sandwiches and treats.
"Come in darling," Evelyn said hugging Annie, "how are you feeling?"
"I'm great," Annie smiled, "I finished a 36 at 6 am so I took a long nap and went to buy a couple of those baby books, the what to expect type."
"I'm excited for you," Evelyn said, "Meghan is here and your mama and Allison are on their way."
"How are you," Annie asked.
"I'm good," Evelyn said, "I picked up some pretty cream colored yarn yesterday to start on baby hats and some sweaters. Cream and white always look so sweet on babies. Other than that I've been helping with the after school program at church making cookies and snacks for the kids. Sometimes those kids just need a nana."
"We all need that sometimes," Annie agreed, "there's nothing like tea and a visit at Nana's to make you feel loved and at home."
"Your welcome here any time," Evelyn said, "I always want my girls here."
"Thank you," Annie said.
"You'll still come to the cabin for new years," Evelyn asked.
"If we're both off," Annie said, "but I'll be hanging out with you this year. Not going to risk skiing. I'll probably be okay to skate if the pond is frozen though. I shouldn't be very big if I show at all by then so I can still snowshoe."
"If Josh holds your hand," Evelyn said, "we can't have you falling. You like the snow shoes I think you and josh get the most use of them."
"I'll be good," Annie said, "he's already fussing and worrying."
Teddy had joined them, "Owen was the same way. It's just how they show their excited. Let him fuss sweetheart."
"Mama," Annie said, "I haven't seen you in days."
"You've been on meghans service for a while and working weekends," Teddy pointed out.
"One more week and I'm with you and Nathan," Annie said, "we need to integrate my specialties better so I get my hours in."
"We will," Teddy promised, "I'm not a fan of weekends."
"More trauma on the weekends," Annie said, "plus Kepner doesn't like working Sunday if she can help it. So they put more residents on trauma on the weekend. I only need a few more trauma shifts."
"We're almost ready for tea," Evelyn said, "it's still warm out so I've got it on the back porch."
Annie asked, "what can I do?"
"Come choose one of these caffeine free teas," Evelyn said, "figure out which one you want to try. If you don't like it we'll try another. I have an apple cinnamon, a rooibos with vanilla, a plain roobios, decaf earl Grey, chai, plain ginger and a chamomile with ginger. I don't know what you feel like or your stomach can handle."
"Thank You," Annie said, "my stomach seems okay right now. It's sugar that seems to be bad and meat. I almost killed Duncan for making bacon and eggs this morning. It smelt terrible. I had to take my tea and toast outside."
"Go read the boxes and smell the teas," Evelyn said, "what your stomach can handle will shift."
Annie looked at the teas and chose an apple cinnamon one that smelled like an apple pie, "I think Allison will like this one as well."
Teddy led Allison to wash her hands and have a seat at the table.
"Why does our family wash our hands more than my friends' families," Allison asked.
"What do you mean," Teddy asked.
"Kaley only has to wash her hands when she goes to the bathroom," Allison explained in her 3 year old way, "her mommy laughed when I washed my hands before snack."
Teddy smiled, "we wash our hands to make sure we keep ourselves and our family and friends healthy. "
"Why can't we use hanitizer," asked Allison.
Meghan laughed, "hand sanitizer isn't as good at removing germs as soap and water. It's better for your body to use soap and water. That's what we use when we do surgery, lots of soap and hot water."
"When I'm big can I do surgery two," Allison asked.
"If you study hard and work hard you can baby girl," Teddy said, "it takes a lot of school to be a surgeon. Annie is still learning she has another two and a half years before she's an attending surgeon like mama and daddy or Uncle Nathan and Auntie Meghan."
"But Annie's a grown up," Allison said.
"She is but it takes a lot of practice and hard work to do what we do," Teddy said.
"You, Annie and uncle Nathan fix broken hearts and daddy, auntie Meghan and Josh makes people better after accidents," Allison said.
"We do," Teddy smiled.
Allison ran off to the table to have a seat.
"God help me getting a second child through medical school," Teddy muttered , "Annie was stressful enough."
"I was an amazing medical student," Annie said.
"It wasn't your school work that worried me," Teddy said, "the injuries, not eating, nightmares, PTSD, determination to be single forever."
"I stopped getting hurt when I stopped seeing Jessica. I'm still careful about what I eat and I haven't had a nightmare in almost a year. I was waiting for the right time with the right guy," Annie said, "I didn't see a point of having a boyfriend to have a boyfriend. It worked out well."
"It did," Teddy agreed, "how's Josh feeling about the baby?"
"He's excited but he's making too much of a fuss about me not getting too tired and eating enough protein," Annie said, "I've talked to Carina and I know what I need to eat. I don't have to go from my normal amount to Josh portions. I'd be sick if I suddenly doubled my portions. I'm doing what I've always done: nutrient dense foods just a little more than normal and snacking a bit more. I'll eat when I'm hungry if I overeat I feel sick."
"As long as you get enough nutrients," Teddy said.
"I know what I need to do for the monkey," Annie said, "we need to talk to Duncan. Our temporary roommate that moved in just before Christmas intern year needs to go. We need his room for a nursery."
"You haven't told Duncan," Teddy said.
"Waiting until 12 weeks when it's safe to start telling people," Annie said, "I only put the picture on the fridge for one night for you to find. I didn't know how to tell you. It's tucked into the mirror on my dresser."
"He's a peds surgeon," Teddy said, "never saw that coming the way he started but he's damn good with the teens when they do something stupid and come in injured. He'll figure it out."
Annie rolled her eyes, "it's not like I'm showing if anything I've lost a couple pounds from being busy and not hungry the last couple weeks. I've told Carina she's not worried, I just need to gain it back. The only thing Duncan would notice is me not drinking and I don't usually at home unless we have people over."
Meghan said, "I knew with Allison before Teddy said a word. She kept touching her stomach and you're doing it two. If you don't want people to guess don't let your hands go near your stomach. It's funny the little gestures the two of you do that are identical and Allison is starting to do them."
"Which ones," asked Teddy.
"The hand to the forehead when you're upset or overwhelmed," Meghan said, "all three of you."
Evelyn added, "you all do the same thing playing with the hem of your shirt when you're nervous."
Annie said, "should I email and tell the McKellars?"
Teddy asked, "when was your last face time ?"
"Months ago. I emailed last week before we knew," Annie said.
"Your next face time you could say something," Teddy said.
"I wish I could go up there and see grandmere but it would open a whole can of worms. I'll wait for 12 weeks and tell grandmere on face time. We talk once a week I just wish they could be here or could see me more than once every 8 years," Annie complained.
"You have nana," Evelyn said, putting an arm around Annie, "and I'm very excited for you and Josh and the baby. You're going to be a wonderful mom Annie. And if you have questions you have Teddy, Meghan and I to help you out."
"Thank you nana. Why am I crying," Annie asked.
Teddy and Evelyn smiled at each other before Teddy replied, "hormones now control your emotions. Evelyn is right you're going to be great parents."
Annie whined, "make it stop."
Teddy shook her head, "this is the beginning sweetheart it's all normal. Wait until you cry at a dog food commercial then we can talk."
"Annie, did you want to try to see your grandparents when we go to that cardio and trauma conference In Vancouver in March," Meghan suggested.
"You were serious about that," Annie asked.
"You're going," Teddy said, "Meghan and I are presenting on training and encouraging women to be trauma surgeons. I assumed you'd go as our resident. I know your peds cardio on paper but you do 90% of the peds traumas that come in with any sort of cardio and you go in on a lot of peds traumas. Jenna and Amelia are going. We're really talking about the overhaul of our teaching program that started with your class."
"A weekend in Vancouver with you, Jenna and Amelia," Annie said, "I'll talk to Josh. I don't have medical coverage in BC anymore."
"You'll be fine," Teddy said, "Anne Milner is presenting."
"Dr Milner," Annie smiled, "I haven't seen her since the Whistler conference ."
"She wants to see you," Teddy said, "I've kept her updated."
"I'll go," Annie said.
At the hospital Duncan cornered Josh. Josh was in the deserted back stairwell to give Annie a quick call he hadn't seen her all day and while she was off he wanted to check in during the afternoon lull.
"Hey man I don't want to get in your personal life," Duncan said.
"You live with us there's not much you don't know," Josh said.
"Is Annie okay," Duncan asked.
"Why are you asking," Josh said, he sounded defensive.
"I thought I heard her vomiting the last few days and then she got really angry that I made bacon and eggs this morning. She yelled at me and took her breakfast out to the patio," Duncan said.
Josh replied, "she's fine. Maybe don't cook pork in the house for a while. She's really not a fan of the smell right now."
"She likes bacon," Duncan said, "she always steals yours."
Josh said, "just leave it. I promise she's fine."
"She said no to a cider last night," Duncan said, "her not having a cider on burger night is weird. I grabbed them because she hates beer and wine doesn't go with burgers. It was weird for her."
"Drop it," Josh hissed, "Annie is fine. But we need you to start looking for a new place. It's been almost 4 years. You said 4 weeks when you moved in. We'd like to have some space to actually be a married couple."
"This was fine after your wedding," Duncan said, "what changed."
"We're fifth years," Josh said, "I'm tired of living like junior residents and we've appreciated your help with the rent but we can all afford our own places now."
"Why all of a sudden," Duncan asked.
"Because Annie and I have talked about it for a while," Josh said, "she's too nice to say it. I haven't because it's her mother's house and our lease agreement with Teddy is in Annie's name it always has been. But we're going to need your room back eventually."
"I just put it together," Duncan said, "needing my room, smell and food aversions, vomiting, not drinking. Annie is pregnant isn't she. I should have put it together sooner. "
"She is," Josh said, "don't tell anyone she's 7 weeks. We only just told our family. She doesn't want the world to know until she's at least 12 weeks. She's being really cautious because of her hashimotos."
"Is she okay," Duncan asked.
"She's been sick the last few days," Josh admitted, "it seems to be worse in the morning. And she doesn't want meat at all. Annie did the vegetarian thing in med school for 6 or 7 months. She doesn't eat meat everyday anyway."
"Can I do anything to help," Duncan asked.
"Give her space when she's not feeling good. She likes to be left alone. She'll probably hide in our room when it's bad," Josh said, "I'm surprised you didn't hear her swearing at me yesterday to get out and leave her alone."
"I thought you two had some Sort of fight. I wondered how you pissed her off. She's so soft spoken outside of the OR or trauma room. The first of us to be a dad," Duncan said, "congrats man. Take care of her."
"Thanks," Josh said, "I will."
"I'll start looking for a place," Duncan said, "your right about needing your space. Your baby will need my room."
Josh smiled, "we have a few months yet she's only 7 weeks. But Annie is anxious to start thinking about a nursery. She's already talking names."
"Does mama Altman know," Duncan asked.
"Annie couldn't keep that from Teddy," Josh said, "she needs her mama right now. That's who she's talking to about everything."
"Do you have someone you can talk to," Duncan asked.
"I could always talk to Owen if I was really worried," Josh said.
"But Riggs sr has always been your parent on staff," Duncan said.
"Him and Meghan adopted Faroke," Josh said.
"Never seen it as a dad but I deal with a lot of families and pregnant moms in peds. If you need anything let me know," Duncan said, "I work with Annie a lot, her and I often work together on paitents. I'll make sure she's not overdoing it. We have 4 kids we're working on together now."
Josh thought, "I think we're okay. Just keep this to yourself for now. I'd appreciate you making sure she's okay. She's not drinking much water. She needs to stay hydrated, she gets dehydrated easily normally."
"I'll offer her water when I can," Duncan said.
"Thanks mate," Josh said.
"I'm happy for you man," Duncan said.
"Thank you," Josh said, "please keep this to yourself until you hear it from Annie and I. Well tell everyone when she's ready for people know."
"I won't say a word," Duncan replied, "congratulations again."
"Thanks," Josh said to Duncan's retreating back.
Josh texted Annie, "Duncan figured it out."
Annie, "what does he know?"
Josh, "you're pregnant and how far along."
Annie, "did you ask him to stop cooking bacon?"
Josh, "I did. He won't if you're home and will air it out if he does."
Annie, "thank you. It'll be easier if we don't have to hide it at home. Does he know we're not telling yet?"
Josh, "I told him. He'll keep our secret."
Annie, "how did he know? Did he say?"
Josh, "he heard you vomiting. You didn't tell me you were sick again this morning."
Annie, "you don't need a play by play of that. It wasn't as bad today. But what else did he say?"
Josh, "you not drinking, you yelling about bacon and eggs which you usually like. You yelling at me."
Annie, "I still feel bad about that. There's no excuse for me being a bitch."
Josh, "it's okay. You weren't feeling well and I didn't listen the first time you asked for space."
Annie, "I still shouldn't have yelled and swore."
Josh, "you're the only person who apologizes for swearing."
Annie, "it's rude."
Josh, "relax. You're off tonight I'm done in an hour. Do you want dinner? What could you eat?"
Annie, "pasta sounds okay. Maybe some pesto on it?"
Josh, "with chicken?"
Annie, "maybe but noodles for sure and a salad."
Josh, "I'll get the stuff and cook."
Annie, "I'm still at Nana's. See you soon. Love you."
Josh, "love you too."
Nathan walked into Owens office and closed the door.
"Hey gramps," Nathan said taking a seat.
"That was some bomb they dropped on us," Owen said.
"It was," Nathan replied, "did you or Teddy know anything?"
"We knew about an hour before you did," Owen said.
"Teddy knew nothing," Nathan said, "how did Teddy take it?"
"Shock, concern a Teddy rant when we got home," Owen said, "we're excited for them but it's sooner than we thought."
"Josh tells me everything but not a word," Nathan ranted.
"Teddy said the same thing. For ten years Annie has run everything past her then the picture was on the fridge and it was mama I'm pregnant," Owen said, "how did Meg take it?"
"We're torn," Nathan admitted, "I know she's your sister but your my best mate."
"What's going on," Owen asked.
"We've been trying for a few years," Nathan said, "her injuries against us. She's frustrated because she does everything right. We do everything right and it doesn't happen for us. She ranted for a long time. We're excited for them though."
"It was a surprise," Owen said.
"You're okay with this," Nathan asked.
"We're happy for them," Owen said, "it feels old."
"It does," Nathan agreed, "the little boy I taught to ride his first bike."
"The girl I let hold a retractor for the first time in her mama's scrub cap," Owen said, "I'm going to say it once. Your nephew got my daughter pregnant."
"Why do I think if they weren't married you would have hit me," Nathan asked.
"Maybe," Owen admitted, "probably Josh."
"You can't talk. You and Teddy." Nathan said.
"Teddy and I didn't do things well but we were in our forties," Owen said.
"Iraq, how you had Beth but led Teddy on," Nathan said.
"She knew. She always knew I was with Beth," Owen said, "we were friends."
"She wanted more," Nathan said.
"I'd I could go back. I would do it differently," Owen agreed, "left Beth sooner and been with Teddy."
"I would do some things differently with Meghan as well," Nathan admitted.
"We all would," Owen agreed.
"Maybe Josh and Annie are getting it right," Nathan said, "they knew they loved each other so they got married and are having their baby."
"Annie was raised that marriage and family was important," Owen said.
"I've heard whispers but never directly from her," Nathan said.
"Leslie and Dan were strict. They taught very traditional Christian values," Owen said, "to the extreme sometimes but Annie internalized it."
"She goes to church with Ma and Meghan when she has Sunday off," Nathan said.
"So do Teddy and I," Owen said, "Josh has been coming as well."
Nathan's pager went, "the pit. Bye grandpa."