Annie and Josh were working the Christmas eve shift again. As fifth year residents they were capable of running the OR and trauma rooms. The attendings that night were mostly locums or brand new to the hospital. The fifth year residents had a better idea how the hospital functioned. Annie and Josh were leaning against the nurses station waiting to be paged; they decided to spend their time on the surgical floor rather than in the chaos of the pit unless they were needed.

"Last Christmas Eve for a while," Annie said.

"Fifth one in a row," Josh said.

"Not next year," Annie replied, "wherever we are we're going to take it off."

"We'll be home with our baby next year," Josh agreed.

"Their first Christmas," Annie said, "it'll be special."

"You'll go all out won't you," Josh teased.

"It's the best holiday of the year of course I'm going all out," Annie said.

"You're sure you're okay to work tonight," Josh asked.

"I'm not a china doll," Annie said, "mama did it with Allison like a month before her due date."

"Our first Christmas," Josh said, "she pulled that stocking thing off."

"I'm her elf," Annie said, "she's doing her Christmas thing again."

"But she's not here," Josh said.

"Ali and Leo need her at home," Annie said, "I can't believe their 4 and 5 this year. But they have the movie in the lecture hall again and Santa. I'm her head elf. She almost ordered me a costume."

"I know," Josh said, "I remember the day she was born. You were so excited to meet your baby sister. The two days they were in the hospital you kept running upstairs to see them every chance you got. You hid in Teddy's room instead of the basement."

"She was such a sweet baby," Annie said, "she's my good sister."

"She's going to be jealous," Josh said, "Allison is going to miss having your attention and you taking her out."

"She might be," Annie agreed, "I'll be off all summer and if we stay I can have our baby and still give Leo and Allison breaks from daycare."

"That would be a handful," Josh said.

"I can do it," Annie replied.

Josh pulled Annie close to him and gently ran his hand across her stomach. Annie stood on her tippy toes and gave Josh a kiss on the cheek.

Two interns giggled as they walked past.

"She's my resident,"Kira Eaket , Annie's all time favorite intern giggled. If they were able to stay for their fellowships Annie wanted Kira as her resident. They worked well together; the young doctor had turned 25 the week before and like Annie had been, was the youngest in her intern class. Kira was hard working and respectful with a sense of fun.

"What are they doing," the man asked.

"They're always like that," Kira replied, "they are always too cute. It's her husband. It's Grace Altman, the chief's daughter and Josh Riggs. He sometimes works with us and if one of them is away the other takes on both intern groups."

"Is it true the chief is letting her run cardio tonight," the man asked.

"The chief is her mom. She's been trained by the chief from birth," Kira said.

"That's Grace Altman," the man said.

"That's Grace," Kira confirmed, "she's softer spoken than the chief but Grace has high expectations. She pushes me hard. Wants me to go into cardio."

"I've heard the Altman's are a cardio dynasty," the man replied, "but why is he rubbing her stomach."

"She's pregnant," Kira said, "she thinks she can hide it but I hear her and the chief talking and Josh Riggs is super protective of Grace. She makes us do everything with radiation and calls him or one of her parents to supervise us. Plus she's totally showing even if she's trying to hide it. And she told me when I asked about her not doing X-rays in the pit."

"Her parents," the man asked.

"John stop being so dense," Kira laughed, "Owen Hunt is the chief's husband. Grace calls him uncle Owen. It's her stepfather. They're all very protective of her. Meghan Hunt and Nathan Riggs are related to them as well."

"So the Altman's Hunts and Riggs are all related," John asked.

"Yes," Hailey said, "three married couples, one set of siblings and a mother daughter team."

"So how do the relationships work between the Altman's and Hunts," John asked.

"What I understand is. Grace Altman and Josh Riggs are married. Grace is the chief's oldest daughter, I heard the chief had Grace when the chief was in medical school. The chief who they all call Teddy is married to Owen Hunt and they have a four and a five year old together. Meghan Hunt, the deputy chief is Owen's sister. Meghan is married to Nathan Riggs the head of cardio. Nathan is Josh's uncle," Kira explained.

"So cardio and trauma is run by married couples," John asked.

"It is," Kira confirmed, "I get a ton of cardio and trauma time."

Annie walked over, "merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas Dr Altman ," Kira greeted, "what do we expect tonight?"

"This is my fifth Christmas here and each one has been different. The chief has ordered some food to be delivered in about an hour. She said she would swing by with Owen Hunt and their kids to check in and say hello," Annie smiled, "she loves Christmas."

"Then why does she have you working," Kira asked.

Annie replied, "it's a good experience and I need the hours. I have to have all my hours by May 1."

"Why May first," asked the man, "shouldn't it be done by the end of June."

"I'm due May 12," Annie replied, "we want some wiggle room. Mama and I have a plan."

"How does your husband feel about you working Christmas Eve," the man asked.

"Josh is here tonight, he's doing trauma and I'm on cardio tonight," Annie replied, "we'll call my parents if things get out of hand."

"Really you call your mom," the man asked.

"I told you her mom is the chief," Kira laughed.

"It's all locums or first year attendings tonight she said to call her if I thought it looked like we need her," Annie explained.

"Should you be working tonight," Kira asked.

"Eaket don't push it," Annie said, "anything I get your scrubbing in with me, don't ruin my festive mood. Just because you're the only intern who knows about the baby doesn't mean you can try to hold me back. I know my limits and I'll tell you."

"I thought you'd want to be with your family," Kira said.

"We're off at 6am. Well go from here to my parents for Christmas morning," Annie said, "then home to nap for a bit then to nanas for our Christmas dinner pj party."

"Pjs for Christmas dinner," Kira asked.

"It started when Josh and I were interns. Meghan thought it would be fun and relaxing. Mama was pregnant with Allison and due like a month later so it was trying to make her comfortable. Now it's just what we do," Annie said.

"Did you get silly Christmas pajamas for us again," Josh asked as he joined them.

"Always," Annie laughed, "extra cozy this year. I ordered them a while ago. Mine might be a little loose. But their winter themed this year. I didn't like the Christmas ones."

"That fuzzy fabric again," Josh asked.

"Flannel pants, yes. Regular T-shirt material for tops," Annie said, "flannel is cozy."

"We don't match again do we," Josh asked.

"Of course we match," Annie laughed, "that's half the fun."

The night at the hospital passed uneventfully there were a few minor injuries that needed care but no major traumas. Annie had a couple heart attacks that she took up to the cath lab and had Kira help her with.

At six am Annie and Josh changed into regular clothes and walked to the car. He laughed at her silly Christmas sweater with the snowman on it, the bottom ball being rounded by her new baby bump. It was cute and she was excited to show it off to her family.

They let themselves into Teddy and Owens house just before 6:30.

"Annie," Allison yelled, running to hug her big sister, "Santa came."

"Did he," Annie asked, "are you sure it's not for me?"

"Santa doesn't come for grownups," Allison laughed.

Teddy came into the entry, "good morning sweetheart. Come sit down, I'll have cocoa ready in a moment."

"Coffee," Annie asked, "I get one real one every 24 hours."

"Not today. Christmas morning gets cocoa. I haven't even started the coffee pot," Teddy replied, "but there's cinnamon buns now and we'll have breakfast after."

"Mama Annie's here can we have presents now," Leo asked.

"What about me," Josh laughed, tussling the little boy's hair.

"Everyone needs to sit in the living room," Teddy said.

"I'll help mama," Annie said.

"You've worked all night," Teddy said, "are you sure you're okay?"

"It was a quiet night," Annie admitted, "we sat in the residents lounge most of the night. We didn't sleep but I'm okay. "

Teddy took a good look at Annie, "when did that happen?"

"This," Annie laughed, putting one hand on her stomach, " the last week or so. It just kinda appeared. I haven't seen you in a week. The snowman makes it look bigger."

"It's very cute," Teddy smiled, "it's a bump."

"It is," Annie agreed, "but 18 weeks it's about time."

"Totally," Teddy agreed, "it'll go fast now. Can I?"

"It hasn't moved yet," Annie said, "but if you want to. Only Josh and I really care."

Teddy reached out to feel where the baby was growing. She remembered the joy of sharing this with Owen when Allison first appeared. She gently placed her hand on Annie's stomach just for a moment she knew Annie would be sensitive about being touched.

"It's exciting," Teddy exclaimed, "my first grandchild. Almost half way."

Teddy hugged Annie tight.

"So hot chocolate, stockings and presents. Did you hang ours for me," Annie asked. She wasn't sure how she felt about Teddy's excitement, she really wasn't a fan of all the touching that was coming with the whole baby thing. She'd have to talk to Teddy another time about it.

"I did Josh's for you, you made it easy," Teddy said, "Josh gave Owen yours."

Annie helped Teddy carry the six mugs of cocoa with whipped cream and candy canes to the coffee table. Annie cuddled next to Josh on the loveseat, tucking her feet up under her so she was sitting on one hip leaning on Josh. They were watching the littles jump around the room. He had one arm around her and his hot cocoa in the other hand. Annie had both hands wrapped around her mug.

Owen passed Allison and Leo their stockings and they began to pull items out of them. He laid Annie's on the seat beside her and passed Josh his before taking his own and Teddy's to the couch. They spent the morning as a family playing with Allison and Leo's Christmas toys.

Annie was asleep on the couch when Josh said, "we're going to head home and nap before dinner."

"Go sleep both of you," Teddy said, "it's good to see her so relaxed though."

Josh kissed Annie's cheek, "why don't we head home and you can sleep in our bed. You'll be more comfortable."

Annie yawned, "let's say goodbye and gather our stuff before we head out."

"Story first," Leo begged.

"One story bud," Annie agreed, "come sit here and Josh will grab your Christmas books."

Josh passed Annie the stack of books she had picked out for them to give her siblings, "did we have two stacks of these?"

Annie laughed, "one set for them and a set for us next year. I saw them online and had to have them. I loved the Canadian twist."

"Of course you did," Josh laughed, "you still describe yourself as Canadian."

Annie began to read the first book to Allison and Leo who cuddled on either side of her. Teddy snapped a picture of her three kids reading together. There wouldn't be many of these left with Annie finishing her residency this year and having her own baby. Next Christmas there would be three kids cuddled up with Annie to read.

They made their way through the top three books before Annie said, "I need to use the washroom then we should go nap before dinner. I'm tired."

"Go nap both of you," Owen said, "we'll see you in a few hours."

Annie hugged everyone before they left.

When the door closed behind Annie and Josh, Teddy turned to Owen, "did you notice what I did?"

"Annie was exhausted," Owen said, "and starving. Two waffles and extra bacon that's a personal record for her."

"Something else," Teddy laughed, "but it's good to see her eating. She has an appetite all of a sudden. But something exciting."

"Teddy you're not making sense," Owen said.

"She's showing. Really showing," Teddy said.

Owen replied, " I saw that. They can't keep their hands off it. She wouldn't let Allison pounce on her on the couch."

"She told Allison it hurt her tummy," Teddy said, "I thought she would have a bit longer before it was so obvious. But I guess when you're a size small there's nowhere to hide it."

"But you got her some clothes for Christmas," Owen said.

"Oversized sweaters she can wear for a while and a couple long cardigans that she can wear next winter as well," Teddy said, "usually I do more tops for her or dresses but I wanted things that she could wear for a while and even afterwards. Nothing is specifically maternity clothes. I avoided that and wore my own sweaters and jackets as long as I could with Allison. I don't remember what I did with Annie but it wasn't cute."

"Is she okay," Owen asked, "she talks to you more than me."

"Excited," Teddy said, "but she's still really anemic. They did another iron infusion this week. It may be weekly for a while."

"Did you ever figure out why," Owen asked.

"We can't put a finger on it. She's always been anemic. There was nothing in the genetic tests Bailey did. It's probably related to her hashimotos ," Teddy explained.

Josh and Annie walked into their house.

"Time for a nap," Annie said, "shower first I still smell like hospital."

"Am I showering with you," Josh asked.

"Maybe," Annie teased, "does it include you washing my back?"

"Always," Josh grinned, "and other places. "

They showered together before they got ready for bed and curled up for a nap. Annie snuggled into Josh's arms and he kissed the top of her head breathing in the apple scent of her hair. He trailed one hand down her side to meet her hand gently on their baby.

"Merry Christmas," Annie whispered before giving Josh a kiss.

"Merry Christmas Annie," Josh replied.

Annie gasped, "feel this. It's moving."

"What," Josh whispered.

"It's moving, the baby moved for the first time," Annie smiled. Putting his hand where she felt the baby move.

"It's too early for me to feel," Josh said.

"It's a little flutter like a butterfly," Annie smiled, "just wait, it's still moving."

"Are you happy," Josh asked.

"Very," Annie said, "baby is moving. I want you to feel it."

"I will soon," Josh said, "we should sleep."

"Okay," Annie yawned, "if you cuddle with me."

"Always," Josh yawned.

Josh groaned when the alarm went off to end their nap. Annie was still peacefully sleeping with her head on his chest.

"Babe we need to get up," Josh said.

"5 more minutes. I'm cozy," Annie moaned.

"You can have five," Josh said, "but I'm getting up."

"I'm up," Annie groaned.

"Coffee," Josh asked.

"Real coffee," Annie asked, "I haven't had any in a week."

"One," Josh said.

"You make coffee I'll go get dressed," Annie said.

"Change your pajamas," Josh laughed.

"Cozy," Annie said, "I totally get why they did this for mama our first year here."

"Where are they," Josh asked.

"My dresser, yours are on top the left side I think by my jewelry box, plaid pants and a black shirt," Annie said.

Annie grabbed her Christmas pajamas from the dresser and her black hoody and walked into the bathroom to change. She giggled looking at the top in the mirror. She had mama bear and a picture of a bear on her top and over her stomach a smaller bear with the words baby bear. The little bear sat perfectly where she wanted it to, on her bump, she was excited to show it off to her family. She knew Meghan and Evelyn would be excited and mama had been very excited that morning.

"Really Annie," Josh called, seeing his.

"We match," Annie laughed coming out of the bathroom.

"this is the one time I do this for you," Josh said.

"Next year three of us will have to match," Annie said.

"Coffee is almost ready then let's go," Josh said.

"Leaving my glasses," Annie said, "but coffee would be good."

They drove to Evelyns and knocked. She quickly let them in and hugged both.

"Annie what aren't you telling me," Evelyn asked with a glint in her eye. She hadn't seen Annie in a couple weeks and thought something had changed.

"Nothing," Annie teased.

"Annie," Meghan said, "merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Annie replied hugging Meghan.

Annie hung up her winter coat but left her hoody zipped up.

"Allison don't jump on your sister," Teddy reminded.

"Why," Allison asked.

"Because it hurts," Annie said, "me and the baby."

"Annie why do you have your sweatshirt on," Meghan asked.

"It's cozy," Annie laughed.

"But we want to see the Christmas pajamas," Teddy teased. She wondered why Annie was trying to hide what she had so excitedly shared with Teddy that morning. But at the same time Annie had always been shy about her body and drawing attention to it.

Annie unzipped her hoody and shrugged out of it.

"You have a bump," Meghan yelled.

"Just," Annie said.

"Love the baby bear," Teddy said.

"Can I," Evelyn said holding her hand out.

"Yes," Annie replied, "baby started moving today."

"Really," Teddy said.

"We were just about asleep when I felt it. It kinda tickled like a baby butterfly," Annie smiled.

"That's exciting darling," Evelyn smiled.

Suddenly she not only had Evelyn's hand on her bump but Teddy and Meghan's as well.

Meghan pulled Annie into a hug that turned into a group hug for the four women.

"Why is everyone petting Annie's tummy," Allison asked.

Annie sat on the floor beside Allison, "because the baby is starting to get bigger and it's the first time mama, auntie Meghan and nana have seen it."

"Where is it growing," Allison asked.

Annie placed her hand on her bump, "right here in my tummy. It's only going to get bigger as the baby grows."

"Wasn't it there this morning," Allison asked, "I thought you were eating too many waffles or cookies and that's why your tummy was bigger."

"It was," Annie smiled, "it's a baby not waffles or cookies. You're the Cookie Monster."

Allison had sat on Annie's lap so Annie took the opportunity to tickle her little sister making her giggle.

"But why are they petting your tummy," Allison asked.

"Because people are excited about the baby and it's exciting when it starts to grow more and people can see it," Annie explained, "now I need both of you to look at me. Leo you two. This means there's no more jumping on me. You're going to hurt me or hurt the baby. I'll still play and give you hugs or read stories but you can't run across the room and pounce on me anymore."

"You have to be gentle with Annie," Josh said, "but you can still jump on and wrestle with me."

"When can Annie wrestle again," Leo asked.

"Maybe in the summer ," Annie said, "we have a while yet."

"Drinks tonight," Nathan asked, "I have four sparking apple juices with one in a wine glass. What do others want?"

"Apple juice," Josh replied, he felt bad drinking in front of Annie.

"If you want wine it's okay," Annie said, "I appreciate the gesture and you don't at home now so have one or two tonight. I can drive home."

"If your sure," Josh said.

"I am," Annie smiled, "enjoy a couple and I can drive home."

"Red please," Josh smiled.

"Red," Teddy called.

"Any white," Nathan asked.

No one answered.

"Six red and four apple juices," Nathan said, "Faroke come help me pass things out. The wine glass of juice is for Annie."

"Why does Annie have juice not wine. Annie likes wine," Faroke asked.

"It's not good for the baby," Nathan said, "anything she eats the baby eats so she's being really careful."

They passed out the drinks and the family settled in the living room to play games and chat before dinner. They spent the night exchanging gifts, playing games and singing carols. It was a perfect family Christmas.