December 31st dawned cold and clear.
"Are you skiing," Annie asked Josh.
"I thought I'd spend the day with you," Josh whispered back, "lazy morning. Cuddle for a bit before we get up."
Annie kissed him, "cuddles then breakfast. Maybe a snowshoe after."
Someone knocked on their door, "Ann, Josh can I get my bag?"
Annie sat up, "come in C we're slowly getting up."
Chris opened the door, "sorry to wake you."
He saw Annie was still in her pajamas and Josh was shirtless with the blanket still covering their legs. It was obvious they had just woken up.
"We were awake just being lazy," Josh said.
"You're not skiing," Chris asked.
"I can't," Annie said, "Josh can if he wants to. I think he should."
"I went yesterday and left you here," Josh said.
"I'm fine here with Nana, Allison and Leo," Annie said, "the littles aren't skiing today. You go with all the adults, monkey and I are fine. I see that look. Go ski Josh."
"Annie I don't care," Josh said.
"Humor me," Annie said, "I feel bad keeping you here. I'd be up there if it was safe."
"You can't fall and you're so aggressive on your skis that it's not worth it," Josh said.
"I know that. I don't even have them here but you have your board," Annie replied, "I'll stay here build snowmen, take the littles sledding then maybe you come back early and we go for a snowshoe before it gets dark. We could all build a snow fort after dinner. Well the two of you I'll supervise."
"I could do the morning and head down around two instead of four," Josh agreed.
"I'm fine with that, do you want me to drive," Chris asked.
"Leave me the keys," Annie said, "I'll ask mama and uncle Owen about car seats. Maybe we can all go get hot chocolate or a special lunch."
"Practicing Ann," Chris asked.
"No just filling a day for the littles. It's easier to have them if we're busy," Annie replied, "I'm going to go make my tea, you guys get ready."
"No coffee," Chris looked shocked.
"No caffeine," Annie replied.
"And you survive," Chris asked.
"This is still don't talk to her time," Josh joked.
"I've adapted," Annie said, "I'm not that bad now."
"Go help Nana with breakfast," Josh said.
"I'm going. Where are my slippers," Annie asked.
"Floor," Josh said.
"Not helpful," Annie replied, "the floor here is always cold."
"Here," Chris said, passing Annie the slippers.
"Thanks," Annie replied, sliding her feet into them. She grabbed her hoody on the way past.
"What's your plan today," Teddy asked when they met in the hall.
"Staying here with Nana and the littles. Josh is going to ski with Chris," Annie replied, "he shouldn't miss out because of me."
"I know the feeling, are you sure you're okay," Teddy asked.
"Thirsty and I need to pee," Annie said.
"Meghan is doing her hair in there, let her know," Teddy said.
"I can wait, she's not as slow as you," Annie replied.
"I am not slow," Teddy said.
"Slowest of all of us," Annie replied.
Teddy asked, "are you sure you're feeling okay? You keep rubbing your stomach."
Annie smiled, "lots of little kicks and wiggles. Just letting them know I'm here."
"Okay," Teddy replied, " I loved that feeling with you and Allison."
"It tickles," Annie laughed, "your skiing with uncle Owen today?"
"I am. Do you mind helping nana," Teddy asked.
"I'm happy to. Can you leave us car seats," Annie asked, "we might go for doughnuts or a treat."
"Instead of moving car seats let's just switch," Teddy suggested.
"I'm used to our truck," Annie said, "I don't like switching it makes me nervous."
"I'll tell Owen," Teddy said. Usually she would have pushed Annie to do the switch and be confident but she was sensing that it might not be the time. Teddy was still pushing Annie very hard at work but at home she was being a bit more sensitive. Annie's confidence was slipping at home. Most of it was Teddy knew around her physical appearance Teddy wasn't surprised.
Josh joined Annie in the hall, "are you sure you're okay with it?"
"I told you to go," Annie insisted, "I'll miss you but it's okay. I'll go next year. Go have fun."
Josh hugged her, "are you sure?"
"Go," Annie insisted.
"We'll come down early," Josh promised, "meet back here between 2:30 and 3?"
Annie smiled, "we can do that."
"Then we'll go for our snowshoe," Josh promised.
"Just a little one," Annie said.
"We'll do a big one before we go home," Josh promised.
"Sounds good," Annie replied, "there's always tomorrow."
"We'll go tomorrow," Josh promised, "you take it easy and please eat."
"I'm eating," Annie said.
"More," Josh said, "you heard Carina."
"I know," Annie grumbeed, "I eat as much as I have room for. I eat when I'm hungry."
"You're still not gaining enough," Josh sighed, "it's going to make you or the baby sick."
"I'm trying," Annie said, "I'm eating more than I have in my life. You pressuring me makes it harder. I need you to stop."
"I will but if Carina isn't happy I'll go back to nagging," Josh said.
"Fine," Annie huffed, tears started to form in her eyes.
Josh sighed and pulled her in close, "I'm sorry babe. I worry about you. I want you to be healthy."
"I know," Annie mumbled into his chest.
"I love you," Josh whispered, kissing the top of her head. He had quickly learned that when she was upset like this he needed to apologize and hold her.
"Bathrooms free," Meghan called.
"Mine," Annie yelled.
No one was going to argue with Annie. She dashed to the bathroom before anyone else could sneak in there. She was already getting sick of the constant need to use the washroom.
In the truck on the way up Chris asked, "is Annie okay?"
"She is," Josh replied.
"She cried this morning about food," Chris pointed out.
"She's still anemic and we can't figure out why she doesn't gain weight. She's not following the curve. She's under it just enough to be worrying but not enough to actually cause harm. She's had two iron infusions in the last two weeks she hates them. The tears were hormonal," Josh said.
"Does she do that a lot," Chris asked.
"Most days," Josh shrugged, "it's Annie she's emotional to begin with. This is part of it; the crying is apparently normal. She can hold it together at work but at home with family she doesn't have to."
"She always was," Chris said, "even as a kid. We'd take starfish out of crab and prawn traps and she'd beg us not to hurt them. She cried when Derek tried to keep a baby octopus in a five gallon pail of sea water. She actually snuck out of bed in the middle of the night, woke me up and released the octopus . She was 14."
"Why did she need your help," Josh asked, he hadn't heard this story before.
"We had a lot of bears and wolves up at the fishing camp. That summer there was this mangy grizzly, maybe a two year old or a yearling that was always scavenging around our docks. She was scared of it. I had my shotgun and hunting rifle so Annie woke me up by shining her flashlight in my eyes and sobbed out the whole story about the baby octopus and how it was smart and had feelings and Derek had it in jail by keeping it in the bucket. She called it animal abuse," Chris said, "so I got up and we went and released it into the water. It was the slimiest, weirdest thing to touch but she picked it up as calm and as gently as she could and lowered it into the ocean off the side of the dock."
"Did you get caught," Josh asked, he could totally see his wife releasing a trapped creature even in her teens. She would do it now.
"Dad and Uncle Jim were waiting at the door to the cabin when we got back," Chris said, "they heard us leave and saw my gun wasn't in the rack. They knew. Annie had been hounding Derek since noon to release it. They gave us high fives, told us to wash up and go to bed."
"You had a gun of your own at 13," Josh asked.
"Hunting rifle," Chris replied, "we were all taught to hunt. Annie wouldn't shoot but she loved being up in the camp and she could clean and butcher really young. She's always been steady taking living things apart. She used to clean fish faster than any of us and as cleanly as papa. She was smooth."
"I've seen her clean fish," Josh said, "we went boating and fishing with one of our attendings last summer. Annie ran all four lines and got them set up and organized. She brought in almost every fish then would hand it off to someone who had never fished to bring it up the last five or six feet so she could net."
"We always did that," Chris said, "take turns fighting the big ones in then I'd steer it towards where she needed to net it."
"There's some things about your childhood that have come up with the baby that I'm worried about her," Josh admitted.
"The control," Chris said, "girls are to be sweet and submissive."
"That," Josh said, "but I knew about that. Your parents expected a lot of Annie then would give her the silent treatment if it wasn't their way. She hasn't talked to them since we told them she's pregnant. They are not answering her calls or emails again. Then we get a lot of tears and frustration. She just wants your mom to be supportive."
"Mom is jealous of the relationship with Teddy," Chris said, "that Annie told Teddy right away but took almost two months to tell her. Mom doesn't understand that by choosing not to see Annie for years she gave up the right to be in the loop."
"We would have told them sooner if they had been willing to face time," Josh said, "Annie wasn't going to email or text that."
"Totally," Chris agreed, "you're sure she's okay?"
"She is, she's really excited and has been feeling really good," Josh said, "the baby moves now. She gets the biggest smile when it's moving."
"Are you okay," Chris asked.
"I worry about them but we're good," Josh promised, "as a couple we've never been better." He couldn't tell Chris that Annie was the most affectionate she'd ever been.
"What's she doing about mom and dad," Chris asked.
"Answering if they reach out but she's not chasing them. I'd prefer to leave it all for now. She doesn't need the stress and their drama. She's happy and excited for the baby. If I had my way I'd tell them to lay off on the promises to visit which never come through until after the baby's born. Give Annie space," Josh said, "they make promises then back out last minute and she's hurt. I hate seeing it happen to my wife and I will not allow it to happen to my child. My most reliable person growing up was uncle Nathan. I won't have my child question if their grandparents love them. We know Teddy and Owen do, uncle Nathan and auntie Meg will act like grandparents."
They reached the ski area and sorted out snow gear and equipment. Getting their lift passes they hit the slopes.
Standing in the lift line someone called Teddy, "Major Altman. Teddy Altman."
Teddy turned, "Felicia Phillips?"
"It's good to see you," Felicia greeted, "what are you doing here though I thought you were in Germany."
"I've been home four and a half years," Teddy smiled, "do you remember my husband Owen Hunt?"
"It's good to see you," Owen greeted.
"You two got married," Felicia asked.
"Three and a half years ago," Teddy smiled.
"So kids," Felicia asked, "Teddy you have a daughter."
"Two girls and a boy. Annie is 29, Leo is almost 5 and Allison is almost 4," Owen said.
"Annie that's your daughter isn't it Teddy," Felicia asked.
"She is. It's too bad she's not skiing today. I'd love you to meet her. She's with her little siblings at the cabin," Teddy said.
"She didn't want to ski," Felicia asked.
"She wanted to but she can't risk falling. She's having her first in May. It's a busy year with finishing her surgical residency but she's happy and her husband is great. They're both fifth year residents at my hospital so it's good for them," Teddy smiled.
"Your hospital," Felicia said.
"Teddy is chief of surgery at Grey Sloan memorial in Seattle," Owen bragged.
"What are you doing," Teddy asked.
"Single and I just moved to Seattle. I'm looking for an emergency room physician job," Felicia said, "but can we back up Teddy Altman is a grandma."
"We're excited," Teddy said, "the whole family is. I missed so much of Annie's life that I really want to be there for her and her baby. We may have an emergency room physician job send me your resume and I'll look."
"I'm still stuck with you having three kids," Felicia said, "and the oldest is 29 you must have been in high school with her."
"Med school I was 21," Teddy said, "last time I saw you Annie had just turned 22 she was in her second year of medical school."
"Your kids do you have pictures," Felicia asked.
"Don't get her started," Owen groaned.
Teddy pulled her phone out of her pocket, "Annie and Owen's mom are going to bring the little two up for lunch. But this is from Christmas morning, the man is Annie's husband Josh Riggs."
Teddy showed Felicia the three kids standing beside the tree.
"Riggs any relation to Nathan," Felicia asked.
"His nephew," Teddy said, "Meghan was found a few years ago and her and Nathan are up here somewhere with their son."
"They're a good looking couple and your younger two are adorable," Felicia commented, "how far along? She looks tiny there."
"Almost 20 weeks," Teddy said, "she's 5'3" but he's nearly 6'4" so it makes her look a lot shorter."
"Your little two are the perfect mix of the two of you," Felicia smiled.
"Leo is adopted but he looks like Owen. Allison looks a lot like Meghan Hunt," Teddy replied, "Annie is all mine."
"You must have a good relationship with her father," Felicia said.
"Annie has very little to do with him and hasn't for years. She hasn't seen him Since she was 21 it's her choice ," Teddy said, "her half brother is skiing with Josh today. It was always about what was best for Annie when I communicated with Dan."
"Even sharing a grandchild," Felicia asked.
"Him and his wife know," Teddy said, "Annie is closer to Owen and I. Owen walked her down the aisle at her wedding. But we should get going. Chris and Josh are waiting for us. Send me your resume."
"It was good to see both of you," Felicia replied.
Teddy and Owen got in the lift line.
"Would you really hire her," Owen asked.
"I don't know but it's polite to say it," Teddy said, "I don't particularly want her near Meghan and Nathan and she was such a gossip."
"I don't want her near Meghan," Owen said.
"That's 15 years ago," Teddy said, "we've all matured. I worry about Annie. Not putting her with new attendings unless I have to."
"I'm surprised Josh is up here today," Owen said.
"He's hovering and it's driving her nuts," Teddy said, "so she sent him to ski with Chris. But her and your mom are going to meet us with the littles for lunch and take them sledding up here."
"Josh might go down with them," Owen said.
"See how she's doing. He knows her and how much she can handle," Teddy said, "she likes to work at 110% all day every day he wants her to slow down a little. But she was napping when we got back yesterday."
"She did Christmas Day after work," Owen said.
"She's having a hard time watching all the snow fun," Teddy said, "she misses it. It's hard to watch. I was okay the year Allison was born because I was so close to the due date that I was too big, tired and uncomfortable to want to. I couldn't even do up my coat. But Annie probably physically still could ski if it was safe. What's our plan for today?"
"Some of those fast runs you like," Owen said.
"No moguls," Teddy asked.
"A few but I know you want to go fast," Owen smiled.
At the cabin Annie called, "Leo, Allison it's time to get dressed."
"You're not dressed," Leo pointed out.
"You're going to get dressed first then help nana clean up breakfast while I get dressed," Annie directed.
"Nee what are we doing today," Allison asked.
"I thought we could get dressed, have some play time while Nana and I tidy up then we can go build snowmen outside, story time then we're going to go up the mountain for lunch with everyone then I thought you two could go sledding up there," Annie said.
"Are you sledding," Leo asked.
"We'll see," Annie said, "I can't crash or fall off onto my tummy."
"Why not," Allison asked.
"It would hurt the baby," Annie replied, "but we're going to have a fun day. So go get dressed mama laid your clothes out on your beds. Allison you have to wear socks."
Evelyn teased, "you sound like a mom."
Annie asked, "but am I or do I have to wait."
"Do you feel like one," Evelyn asked.
"Some days," Annie said, "most days, but they're not here yet. The next few months will be slow."
"You'll be surprised how quick it will go," Evelyn smiled, "now go get dressed."
"What about dishes," Annie asked.
"I've done them for how many years," Evelyn said, "I can do them. Go get dressed."
Annie walked into her room choosing another leggings and big sweater combination. It was comfy and warm for their day in the snow. It also hid what was quickly becoming obvious but she liked minimizing it and not drawing attention to herself. She was anxious about the conference she and Teddy were going to in New York in February, they were teaching total heart reconstruction and doing a couple at Columbia. Teddy was looking forward to going back and Annie wanted to see the places Teddy had told her about, she usually hated flying, it would not be fun now.
Annie had her snow gear on standing by the door, "Allison, Leo lets go. Get your snow gear on."
"Help please," Allison said.
"I need a sentence Allison," Annie reminded, she knew it drove Teddy nuts when the little ones didn't use full sentences.
"Annie can you help me please," Allison asked.
"What do you need help with," Annie asked.
"I can't reach," Allison said.
"What can't you reach," Annie asked.
"Daddy hung my coat up too high," Allison said.
Annie lifted the coat and snow pants down, "snow pants first, boots, coat, hat and mittens."
Annie supervised the little ones getting ready to go outside.
"You have to do up your coat Nee," Leo reminded.
"It's a little tight buddy, I'm okay," Annie replied.
"But mama says," Leo started.
"Mama will understand why my coat and snow pants aren't done up," Annie replied, "the three of us are going to walk to the meadow and build snowmen. I have all the things to decorate with. Then we're going to come back and I have a new story that was read to me when I was a little girl, we can have a snack and we're meeting everyone for lunch on the mountain at 12:30. The three of us will go sledding while they all ski then Josh will come back with us and Chris is going to play with you for a while."
"Chris wants to play with us," Leo asked.
"He does," Annie said, "if you ask nicely he might build you a snow fort."
"Will you and Josh help," Allison asked.
"No," Annie said, "Josh and I are going to go out to the trail and go for a short snowshoe just the two of us."
"You always do things just the two of you," Allison whined.
"Not always we spend a lot of time with you two and mama and Uncle Owen," Annie said, "but this might be our last snow day for a while."
"Why," Leo asked.
"Because my baby will need a lot of my time and next winter when we come out and play in the snow they will come play two. Is that okay if the baby comes and plays with us," Annie asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "mama says I can play with the baby."
"When it's big enough," Annie agreed, "but you'll be able to talk to them and tell them stories right away. When you were a tiny baby I would talk to you like crazy and tell you all sorts of things I couldn't tell mama or uncle owen."
At lunch time Annie lead the little two into the lodge for lunch.
"Mama we build the biggest snowman ever," Allison shouted.
"Did you," Teddy asked.
"Here," Annie replied showing Teddy her phone and the photo she had taken.
"Mama Nee didn't do up her coat," Leo tattled.
"I know Leo," Teddy said, "it's okay she's a grown up and can decide for herself."
"What if she gets cold," Leo asked.
"I'm okay Leo," Annie smiled.
Josh and Chris found them.
"How was your morning," Annie asked.
"Great," Josh said.
"We got Faroke and Dillon hop turning on the steep stuff," Chris replied, "I want to go back out there and fix some little things after lunch. Do you remember dad's rhyme?"
"I don't," Annie said, "I count. Something fling tempo works well a four count rhythm."
"Music," Chris asked.
"Footloose, Roar, something you could go for a run to," Annie said.
"What did you do this morning," Josh asked.
"We built snowmen, story time, a little new years craft I found on pinterest and brought the stuff for," Annie said.
"I thought since you have our truck I would sled with these two after lunch and Chris can ski with the teens," Josh suggested.
"I'm fine if you want to ski they'll sled for a couple hours. I can always bring them in for cocoa and I have colouring books for all three of us," Annie said.
"Let's see how we feel after lunch," Josh said, "do you want to get our lunches. I just want a burger and fries."
"I'm happy to sit," Annie said, "chicken strips would be good."
"I'll go," Josh said, "you find a good table for all of us."
"Nana already has one," Annie smiled, "she's camped out and knitting already."
"Does she want lunch," Josh asked.
"She does," Annie replied.
"Do you know what," Josh asked.
"Mama already asked her," Annie replied, "but a burger. Check with mama."
"I will, go sit," Josh said.
"One thing," Annie smiled.
Josh gave her a hug and a quick kiss before she went to sit down.
Annie chatted with Evelyn and helped amuse the littles.
"Nana what are you knitting," Annie asked.
"A blanket," Evelyn smiled.
"For who," Annie asked.
"Your little one," Evelyn smiled, "do you like the colours?"
Annie looked at the ball of yarn, a swirl of soft minty greens, whites and buttery yellows, "it's beautiful but you don't have to knit for us."
"I want to darling," Evelyn smiled, "I'm excited to knit for a baby I know instead of the box at the seniors center for the women's shelter."
"Thank you," Annie smiled.
"You'll have to let me know when you find out what it is," Evelyn said, "so I can pick up the right colours."
"Anything you make them will be wonderful because you made it with love," Annie said.
"I've been talking to Marie," Evelyn said, "she wants to start sewing but doesn't know if you're open to it."
"My grandmas are teaming up," Annie asked.
"Since your birthday," Evelyn said, "we love you. What do you think of her sewing for your little one."
Annie smiled, "I didn't think she would want to. We all had quilts she made us as babies. I wish I still had mine for this little one."
Evelyn nodded, "I'll pass it on grandma to grandma."
"Thank you," Annie said.
Josh sat down with the tray and passed Annie her plate and a mug of tea.
"The only decaf they had was orange pekoe," Josh said.
"It's alright," Annie said, "I'm not a tea snob anymore. Thank you for lunch."
"Always," Josh said. The family all sat down with their lunches and chatted over their meals.
"We had a weird run in this morning," Owen said.
"What happened," Meghan asked.
"We ran into Felicia Phillips," Teddy said, "she's looking for work in Seattle."
"I've got over a lot but Teddy please don't give her a job," Meghan pleaded.
"We need an ER doctor," Teddy groaned, "I'm down one and really should hire two. But it would take a lot to convince me to hire her. I handled her discharge out of the army."
"Don't rush it Teddy," Owen said, "we're managing I'm using residents and fellows where U can."
"Nana," Allison asked, "are you going to go sledding after lunch?"
"Maybe," Evelyn said.
"I'm going to go with you," Annie replied.
"Are you sure," Josh asked.
"I want the fresh mountain air," Annie smiled, "we'll go to the tube park they have the tow for them, I just need to stand at the bottom and smile."
"Blending in with the moms," Chris teased.
"C I'm one of them," Annie replied.
"It's after one now," Josh replied, "why don't we ski for another hour or so two or three more runs while they tube then I'll come down with you."
"We'll do the same," Teddy smiled, "I've had about enough."
"It sounds like a plan," Annie smiled.
Everyone went their separate ways for a couple more hours of snow fun before meeting up at the trucks and heading down. Chris had offered to keep the two teens up until the mountain closed, he not only had them hop turning but they were starting to jump and he wanted to take them over a couple drops and see if he could get them landing properly into their turns. He missed skiing with their dad, Dan hadn't been allowed to ski with him in years. Chris made a decision on the chair lift that day. That he was going to stick with Annie and pull away from their parents unless they reached out to him. Chris realized that since Annie got hurt at 19 it had been Teddy and Owen cheering him on and supporting him. He remembered a ski trip here when he was 20, the family had embraced him completely to the point of telling a friend of Teddy and Henry's that he was part of their family, their kids Annie and Chris.
In Cloverdale the McKellar family was gathering for a New Years party.
"Have you heard from Annie," Marie asked trying to stay casual.
"Not for six weeks or so," Leslie replied, "Chris is there with her now."
"I knew that he was excited," Marie smiled, "what did Annie say when you talked to her."
"She's pregnant," Leslie replied, "it took her weeks to tell us. It was the end of November and she was already 15 weeks."
"How's she feeling," Marie pressed, she knew she had been talking to Annie, she was aware Annie had been sick and was now perking up. Marie had been talking grandma to grandma with Evelyn and had been sent pictures of Annie that morning.
"I haven't talked to her since she told us," Leslie admitted, "she told us to make a choice if we were in her life or not. That she didn't want her baby to know us."
"Come with me," Marie becond.
"What's going on," Leslie asked.
"Just come with me," Marie commanded, "we need to have a talk."
Leslie followed Marie upstairs to the guest room. Marie closed the door behind them and took a seat on the bed, she waited for Leslie to sit with her.
"Doug and I have been seeing Annie," Marie said, "we saw her about 2 weeks ago. She's doing well. Josh is a wonderful young man. You should be proud of her. Leslie why don't you go see her, or even call. I talk to her daily. She misses you and wants your support but she won't reach out to you. She feels like you abandoned her, that you don't love her, that she wasn't good enough."
"She has Teddy," Leslie said, "she doesn't want me."
"I had a good talk with Teddy about it in October," Marie said, "Annie wants both of you. But she doesn't know how to say it."
"October," Leslie asked, "how many times have you seen her? When did she tell you about the baby?"
"We've seen her three times. I bullied her into seeing us in August, then we had a lovely dinner at Teddy and Owen's for Annie's birthday, then we went down to see the Nutcracker and spend some time with Annie and Josh two weeks ago," Marie said, "that little house they rent is adorable. She told us her news on her birthday, she wasn't drinking which made me question. She's adorable. She's still tiny with just a whisper of a baby bump last time we saw her. She's gorgeous," Marie said.
"She was always a pretty girl," Leslie agreed, "with that long blonde hair and the bright green eyes."
"She leaves her hair in it's curls now," Marie said, "it really suits her. She looks a lot like Teddy and the baby sister Allison has the same green eyes but flame red hair."
"Red how does the little sister have red hair," Leslie wondered.
"Owen and his sister are both red heads," Marie replied, "very nice people all of them. Evelyn is a widow but has a friend named David he's one of the pastors at their church."
"She still goes to church," Leslie said.
"We went with them last time we saw her," Marie commented, "lovely service, good music and David spoke about joy and the simple joys of everyday life. Their whole family except Meghan were there, she was working. That is such a gift that they have. Did you know Annie is operating on and helping build hearts for babies. She saves children and babies."
"How do you know all this," Leslie asked.
"I talk to her. I call her once a week and we message daily," Marie said, "she taught me to use whatsapp."
"I can't do this Marie," Leslie said.
"What can't you do," Maire asked.
"I miss my daughter," Leslie cried, "I want my Annie back. She hardly looked like my little girl anymore. She didn't tell me when she got engaged, I couldn't go to her wedding, now she's having a baby and I can be there. I missed everything. Everything her and I used to dream of I missed. I want my little girl back."
"She'll never be the same little girl, she's a wonderful woman. You need to tell her and not with your words. Leslie you and Dan you have to drive to Seattle, you have to go see her," Marie said.
"We can't Jessica won't let us leave. I don't even know where she hid our passports," Leslie said, "we ordered new ones a year ago to go see Annie and Jess took those two."
"Then order another set and have them sent here," Marie offered, "we can keep them safe. If you want to be in Annie's life you have to go to her. She's hurt, there's a lot of pain and a lot of questions. You might be able to persuade her and Josh to listen. But you have to tell her with your actions. It's too late for words you have to do it."
"I don't know how anymore," Leslie sobbed, "we stood by and watched her get hurt. Then she changed her name to hide. She didn't want to be a McKellar any more; she chose Altman."
"Did you ever ask why," Marie asked, "why she felt like she needed to change her name. They still call her Annie at home. I saw her driver's license, she kept Annabeth as her middle name. She only traded her first and middle name."
"Teddy called her Grace," Leslie said, "when we picked Annie up Teddy gave her a hug and a kiss and she didn't know we heard but she said good bye baby Grace I will always love you."
"She has names from both her mothers," Marie smiled, "let her have both of you."
"How," Leslie asked.
"Get in your car, drive down there and see her," Marie said, "she won't come back here, there's too much water under the bridge for that. But you can go see her, you can call her. I have her call schedule for work for the next month, she's a busy bee but call when she's off."
"I'll talk to Dan," Leslie said standing up and leaving the room.
Back on mount Baker the family had gathered in the living room.
"Faroke move," Meghan commanded, "let Annie have the couch."
"Mama," Faroke groaned, "she always gets the couch."
"There are two people who have first dibs on the couch and chairs this trip Nana and Annie," Meghan replied.
"Meghan I'm fine on the floor," Annie replied, "I can still get up and down from here. I'm actually enjoying being able to stretch out a bit here."
Meghan glanced back at Annie who was sitting with her legs stretched out to either side, "really Annie sitting in straddle?"
"It feels good," Annie replied.
"Are you two coming to the dance at the rec center tonight," Meghan asked.
"We are," Annie replied, "Josh is just in the shower then I'll do my hair. It's probably the last time I get to wear my cranberry wrap dress."
"Dress and heels," Meghan asked.
"No my flat ankle boots," Annie replied, "safe to dance in. We are going to dance."
"Of course we are," Josh smiled down at Annie, "really stretching now?"
"It feels good," Annie replied, "don't question it. I got down here on my own. I'll get up."
"The bathroom is free before Teddy obsesses over her hair," Josh said.
"I'm going," Annie said. She pulled her legs back in front of her and rolled to her knees to stand up.
"So dancing tonight," Josh said.
"Of course we're dancing," Annie smiled, "you think I would miss out on dancing with you."
"I know you won't," Josh smiled.
With everyone ready they all walked to the rec center a few blocks away, their breath making clouds in the winter air.
"How do I ask a girl to dance," Faroke asked, sitting next to Josh.
"You smile and ask her for her name," Josh said, "talk to her about school, or sports then if she's smiling at you ask her to dance."
"How did you ask Annie," Faroke asked.
"The first time we danced she asked me," Josh replied, "just smile at her be friendly but don't hover."
Teddy joined them, "having a good night?"
"We are," Annie said, "are you?"
"We are," Teddy agreed, "you coming back out to dance?"
"I just needed water, we'll be back out there," Annie said.
They finished their water and joined the other couples on the dance floor. At midnight the whole community counted down.
After kissing Annie , Josh asked, "should we head back?"
"Maybe," Annie whispered, "a couple more songs?"
"One more," Josh agreed, he had requested their song for the next dance.
They swayed gently to their song.
"Every time I hear that song it's still true," Josh said, "you amaze me."
"Stop it," Annie blushed, "you're the amazing one."
They finished the song and said good night to the rest of their family.
"Is she tired or do they just want out of here," Teddy mused.
"I think tired," Meghan said.
"Space," Nathan said.
"That was their wedding song," Teddy said, "she did run around all day with Allison and Leo."
"She's doing better," Meghan commented.
"She is," Teddy agreed, "she's feeling really good. They just want to avoid her getting over tired."
"You and Owen are okay being grandparents," Meghan said.
"We're excited," Teddy said, "but explaining how Ali and Leo are going to be auntie and uncle is a bit weird."
"Do you have to," Meghan asked.
"Just let them be Ali and Leo," Teddy said.
"They'll be so close in age it might be easier," Meghan replied.
"Meg be honest with me are you okay with this," Teddy asked.
"I'm happy for them," Meghan said, "at the same time I wish it was me."
"I know," Teddy replied.
"We're looking into fostering," Meghan said.
"I really hope that you can," Teddy smiled.