A very Teddy centric chapter.
Teddy was sitting at her desk taking a moment to gather her thoughts before she walked down the street to the coffee shop when Arizona burst in.
"Teddy can you tell me why for the last few months your daughter won't do X-rays and today she's been crying over every one of her nicu patients. We have to plan a surgery on a 21 week fetus and she's crying. I need her to learn to do the cdh repair and instead she's crying," Arizona ranted, "what's going on with her that's not Grace."
Teddy smiled, "she just gave me permission to share this. She's 16 weeks pregnant."
"No," Arizona gasped, "she is. How did I not put it together."
"She is. Due May 12," Teddy beamed.
"Everything looks good," Arizona asked.
"She saw Carina the other day and everything is good with the baby. If there are concerns we'll let you know. She sent me a copy of the ultrasound," Teddy smiled.
"Can I see grandma Altman," Arizona asked.
Teddy pulled out her phone and showed Arizona the picture Annie had sent. Teddy smiled being a proud mama and showing off her three kids was special but there was something equally special about a grandchild.
Bailey walked in with Amelia on her heels.
"Why is she calling you grandma Altman," Amelia asked.
"I need to talk to you about Grace," Bailey said.
"If you are here to complain about my very hormonal pregnant daughter, you're all mothers have some empathy for her," Teddy said.
"I wasn't here to complain," Bailey said, "I thought you should see the skills lab she's doing on communication with the sub interns and interns. They seem to actually be getting it. But Grace is pregnant?"
Teddy smiled, "she's only just okay with sharing the news now. She's 16 weeks due May 12."
"Did I miss a department head meeting," Meredith asked walking in.
Amelia turned, "nope. Teddy just told us Grace is pregnant. Due May 12."
Meredith laughed, "you're a grandma and have preschoolers, how are you going to explain that?"
"The truth. I was 21 with my first," Teddy replied, "she's 29 now."
"She's been around that long," Meredith asked.
"She has," Teddy smiled.
"I remember the first time she came in," Meredith began.
"So do I. She was this shy little thing following you and Yang," Bailey said, "then the questions that girl asked. She wanted to know everything. But is she okay?"
Teddy nodded, "we're good now. There were a few rough weeks at the start."
"Her 4 day food Poisoning," Amelia said, "I thought she hated neuro so was faking."
"Nope that would be the week she could hardly move and Josh gave her fluid IVs at their house," Teddy said, "she wouldn't even see me. Only him I just brought them supplies."
"Poor girl," Amelia said, "I've been there. Is she okay now?"
"She's feeling good," Teddy smiled, "bouncy, full of energy. She's really excited."
"How haven't we seen it," Meredith asked.
"She's not really showing yet. And she likes her scrubs loose," Teddy said, "I did the same thing with both. No real clue, I just looked a bit bloated until 20 weeks then bang baby."
"How did Owen take the news," Meredith asked.
"Better than I did," Teddy admitted, "we've known since September. They told us the day after they found out. It was a huge surprise."
"Grandma is so not you," Amelia said.
"I'm starting to like it," Teddy laughed, "but I actually have a meeting to go to a couple blocks away and should go. We can celebrate later and please don't hug my daughter. Annie isn't a fan of being touched."
"I know she likes her space. Can we congratulate them," Arizona said, "she's back with me planning after her lab."
"You can," Teddy said as she grabbed her coat and purse, "please be empathetic, it's her first and it's not easy on her."
"I'll look out for your baby and grand baby," Arizona promised, "Grace is with me for the next two or three weeks
"Thank you," Teddy smiled stepping out of her office. The other women followed.
As soon as Teddy was out of earshot Mer found Alex.
"Alex guess what I just heard," Meredith said.
"Mer what's going on," Alex answered.
"Teddy Altman is going to be a grandma," Meredith said.
"You interrupted me for that," Alex groaned, "how old is Grace anyway?"
"Grace should be about 30. She's married," Meredith said, "scary part Teddy is happy about it. So is Owen."
"How long have they known," Alex asked, "when do I get my new paitent?"
Meredith said, " May 12 I think Teddy said. Teddy knew in September and has been keeping Grace on her service, Owens, Meghan Hunts and Nathan Riggs. Kept her with family so they could hide it."
"You hid Ellis," Alex pointed out.
"Remember the first day Teddy brought her to the hospital," Meredith laughed.
"We all freaked out that Altman had a kid. GI Jane had a kid," Alex said.
April and Jackson found them.
Alex decided to spread the gossip, "Mer just told me mini Altman is pregnant."
"Well have to have a shower," April squealed.
"Not yet," Meredith said.
"Am I the last person in trauma to know," April asked.
"Well your resident is her husband, Owen is her stepfather and Meghan is their aunt so yes," Meredith replied, "sorry April."
"Let me guess Altman wants us to be easy on her mini me," Alex said.
"Just be empathetic," Meredith said, "I think she just wants everyone to be aware. You know how hard she is on her daughter. She was gentler with Christina."
Teddy walked out of the hospital buttoning her black wool coat as she went. She wondered if her aunt would recognize her after nearly twenty years. Her years in the army had changed her, but most importantly so had Owen and her kids. Her three wonderful kids, each so different but so alike. She was still dressed for work in a black wrap dress that fell mid calf and black heels, her hair fell in curls to her shoulders, her once waist length hair was shorter now, cut stylishly to her shoulders. She had touched up her makeup before leaving. She knew she had aged in the 20 years since she last saw auntie Theresa. Pausing at the door to the coffee shop Teddy took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, she knew she was early but she wanted to make a good impression. She had been amazed that they were in Tacoma and had been for years. If Annie could let her grandparents back in she could have coffee with her mom's cousin. She opened the door of the coffee shop the smell of fresh ground coffee and baked goods hitting her as she walked in.
"Theodora," a stooped old woman asked, she had to be in her early 80s.
Teddy smiled she recognized the voice, "Auntie Theresa?"
"It is you," Theresa said, "you did come back in one piece?"
"I did," Teddy smiled, "I've been home four and a hlaf years now. The best four years of my life. Why don't I get us coffee and something to eat and we can catch up."
"You don't have to," Theresa said.
"I want to," Teddy replied.
"Thank you," Theresa smiled.
"Why don't you find a table and i'll meet you," Teddy suggested, "what would you like?"
"Just a plain tea nothing fancy," Theresa said.
"They have good teas," Teddy replied, "my oldest daughter loves them."
"Pick one she likes for me then," Theresa said, "how old is she?"
"Annie is 29," Teddy replied, "she's my resident now. Leo is 4 and Allison is 3."
"Twenty nine," Theresa said, "you had a baby girl almost 30 years ago. It killed you to give her up."
"We connected ten years ago, her 19th birthday," Teddy beamed, I'll get our drinks then we can talk."
Teddy got their drinks and treats and sat down and she toyed with buttering her socone wanting to keep her hands busy.
"Your baby," Theresa said, "she found you?"
"She did when she turned 19 that was the agreement that they would give her my information when she turned 19 and it was her choice what she did with it. She looks just like my mom," Teddy said.
"Do you have a picture," Theresa asked.
"Plenty," Teddy smiled, "her wedding photos are my favourite but I have a cute one from last week of her and her siblings making dinner in my kitchen."
"Lets see all three of yours," Theresa smiled.
"It's well hidden in the picture but Annie is pregnant," Teddy replied, "her first, her and Josh are very excited."
"She's grown up and happily married," Theresa commented.
"She is," Teddy said pulling out her phone, "those are my three."
"Annie does look like your mother," Theresa commented, "and you. You look a lot like your mom now. She's a beautiful young woman and your little two are just precious. Who is the man in the background?"
"That's Owen," Teddy replied, "I met him about 20 years ago and we've been married for three and a half years."
"So you met him in the army," Theresa said.
"I did," Teddy smiled, "we were both incharge of the same group of medical staff. He's a trauma surgeon. Owen and I are a good team. He's what I was waiting for."
"When you left you were looking for something," Theresa said, "did you find it?"
"Owen was my best friend for a lot of years," Teddy said, "you were right I was missing my baby. But Annie was only part of it. My first marriage taught me alot."
"First marriage," Theresa looked shocked, "Teddy what happened?"
"Henry passed away from complications of a tumor," Teddy replied, "in his heart and I couldn't have saved him. Annie and I were devastated. We had been married two years. Annie was 21 it was her first year of medical school."
"I'm sorry," Theresa said, "life hasn't been easy for you my dear."
"It's made me stronger," Teddy replied, "I was on my own for a couple years then Owen and I connected at a conference in Boston in a different way then we had before, so we spent a year and a bit meeting up along the east coast always with Annie as a buffer because I couldn't be in the country and not see her. It would have destroyed her. I'm all she has for family."
"Her parents that adopted her," Theresa said.
"She hasn't seen them in eight years they were not at the wedding," Teddy replied, "a lot has happened but that's her story."
"Start at the beginning honey," Theresa said, "from when you left New York."
Teddy spilled out the story of the last 18 years, from going to Iraq and meeting the Hunts, coming to Seattle to be near Annie in the hope that her daughter would reach out, her years in the cottage with Henry and Annie, losing Henry, going to Germany, Owen's grand gesture, Allison, getting married properly this time, adopting Leo, teaching Annie and raising her babies to now waiting to be grandma.
"You've been busy," Theresa commented, "but you look happy. Jane would be so proud of you."
"I still miss her," Teddy commented, "I wish she knew Owen and my kids."
"She does," Theresa commented, "your mother sees it all. She wouldn't leave you or your babies.
"I'm glad I enlisted," Teddy declared, "I would never have met Owen or had the courage to let Annie in. When I left you told me you wanted me to find what was missing. I did, my family."
"I see that and I'm not proud of how we parted," Theresa said, "you had lost your parents and best friend in an 18 month span. You needed my support not my judgement."
"It's okay," Teddy said, "Annie and Josh will never go the military route. Her brother is Canadian and a military medevac pilot and Owen and I mentor and encourage Chris. One day we may see Allison or Leo go that route Owen is fourth generation but we'll let them decide. It has to be their choice because it's right for them not what mama and dad expect."
Teddy hadn't seen a group of residents walk in.
"Do you know them," Theresa pointed out.
"Fifth year residents at my hospital, Annie's friends actually," Teddy replied, she gave them a quick wave.
Cassidy walked over, "hi mama Altman."
"Dr Cassidy Liard," Teddy introduced, "this is my auntie Theresa. Is Annie with you?"
"Washroom," Cassidy replied.
"She'll find us in a moment then," Teddy smiled, "why are all of you here in scrubs?"
"Half way through a 48 hour shift. We needed air and caffeine," Cassidy replied, "and Annie wanted food that wasn't hospital food."
"She hates hospital food," Teddy agreed.
Annie joined them, not recognizing the woman sitting with her mama she was hesitant.
"Annie," Teddy said, "I'd like you to meet my, maybe our Auntie Theresa. This is my eldest Dr. Grace Annabeth Altman but we call her Annie."
"She looks so much like Jane when we were young," Theresa smiled, "let me get a closer look at you."
Annie stepped closer to Teddy, "it's nice to meet you."
"Im happy to see you as well," Theresa replied, "your mom told me congratulations."
"Mama seems to be telling everyone today," Annie laughed, "half the attendings have congratulated me or Josh."
"Arizona came to see me worried about you so I told her," Teddy replied, "then Amelia and Miranda heard her call me Grandma. Then Amelia told Meredith."
"Kepner," Annie said, "Karev?"
"Grey told them," Teddy replied.
"Avery said something to Josh so did Link," Annie replied.
"Good the department heads know," Teddy smiled, "go get your food."
"Chai latte," Annie said, "my one taste of caffeine every 24 hours. I'm dragging and I have 24 hours left on this shift in peds and the nicu with Nathan."
"Annie," Teddy said.
"A small one," Annie replied, "Carina said one was okay. I haven't had caffeine in a week."
"That wasn't it," Teddy replied, "rest please sweetheart. Not just the mental break of walking down here but actually sit or nap."
"I will," Annie said, "Josh is on the same shift so he'll come chill with me. I'll let you enjoy you coffee. It was nice to meet you Theresa."
"It was good to meet you as well Annie," Theresa smiled.
Teddy stood and quickly hugged Annie, "I'll come find you when I'm back at the hospital."
Teddy returned to her conversation with her aunt, the only living relative she had on either side. Annie joined her friends in line to order, getting their orders the cluster of residents walked out of the coffee shop and back to the hospital.