Early Saturday morning Annie and Josh were slowly getting ready for the day. They knew they were probably first up. Annie was sitting on the edge of the bed half dressed with Josh shirtless beside her. Their daughter had been kicking Annie really hard all night keeping her and by extension Josh awake. Josh was running his hands softly across her bump and talking to the active baby trying to coax it to calm down or at least to keep its feet off Annie's diaphragm. As he was taking to the baby Josh was alternating kissing Annie's lips, neck, breasts and bump. She was enjoying the affection especially knowing they only had five weeks before their baby would arrive.

"Do we have to get up now," Annie moaned, "I have other ideas."

"It's still early," Josh said, "we have time if you're quiet."

Annie pulled him into a passionate kiss and was running her hands through his hair when the door flew open.

"Nee come play," Allison demanded.

"Allison out," Josh ordered.

"No I want to play with Annie," Allison whined.

"Out," Josh instructed, "I'm going to count to three and you will be back in the hall with our door closed."

"No," Allison stamped her foot.

"Allison one, two," Josh counted.

The door slammed shut.

Annie flopped back on the bed, "mood ruined."

Josh stretched out beside her, "it's okay."

Annie began to cry, "we only have six weeks of being us and I finally had a day I didn't feel like a hippopotamus. Then Allison had to barge in."

Josh stood and slid a bin in front of their door, "now it's locked."

Annie shook her head, "now they know we're awake."

Josh smiled, "then we'll have to be fast. Because you are perfect."

Josh began to pepper her with kisses again making Annie giggle.

"I thought you were going to be quiet," Josh whispered before capturing her mouth with his. She tried to press her hips to his but their baby got in the way. She moved his hand where she wanted it instead.

"I am being quiet," Annie groaned.

"I know you are," Josh chuckled as he kissed his way down her body.

"Josh please," Annie moaned.

"Patience," Josh teased, "you have no idea what a turn on this."

"Touch me please," Annie moaned, she reached towards him and undid his jeans.

"I want you," Josh whispered before kissing Annie's lips and neck again.

"I need you," Annie moaned.

"You are gorgeous," Josh whispered before undoing her bra.

In the kitchen Allison sat at the table pouting.

"What's wrong munchkin," Owen asked as he started the coffee pot.

"Josh wouldn't let me play with Nee," Allison whined, "he yelled at me."

"Are they out of bed yet," Owen asked, "she's been really tired."

"She had her pants on but he was petting her tummy," Allison said, "and kissing it."

"Did you go into their room," Owen asked.

"Yes," Allison said.

"Was the door open," Owen asked.

"No," Allison said.

"Did you knock first," Owen asked.

"No," Allison admitted, "I went in. I go in to your room at home."

Owen sighed and sat down at the table with Allison, "munchkin you're too big to just walk into someone's room without knocking. Annie and Josh wanted their space this morning and privacy and you didn't respect that. When people close the door to their room it's like being in the bathroom they want privacy and you don't go in unless you ask first. You have to wait for them to say come in."

"But why is Annie no fun now," Allison asked, "she doesn't play with me anymore."

"She did crafts with you last night and read you a story," Owen said, "you had a tea party with her yesterday."

"But she doesn't go on the playground or take me for bike rides or spin me around anymore," Allison whined.

Teddy joined them, "Annie physically can't right now Ali her baby is getting big it should be here in six weeks. Annie doesn't have the energy she usually does to run and play with you. When a woman has a baby in her tummy that's as big as Annie's baby is it's uncomfortable. It gets harder to walk and you get tired easily and Annie has been saying her back really hurts. She can't run and climb with you right now. When she has her baby and it's a few months old she'll be able to run and ride bikes again."

Allison whined, "it's always about the baby. Annie and the baby."

Teddy shook her head, "what did you and I doThursday after school?"

"The ballet show," Allison said.

"Who went with us," Teddy asked.

"No one," Allison replied.

"We did that because your a big girl and ready for things like that. You get time just you and I or you and daddy every day," Teddy said.

"I miss Nee," Allison cried.

"I know Annie has changed a lot in the last few months hasn't she," Teddy agreed, "Allison you have a very special big sister who loves you very much. You have to remember your big sister was already a grown up, a doctor when you were born. Annie was 25 when I had you."

"Miss Sheena said Annie wasn't old enough to have a baby," Allison declared.

"I think Annie is older than Miss Sheena," Teddy replied, making a mental note to talk to the young preschool assistant.

"But you have a box of presents for the baby and nothing for me," Allison whined.

Teddy nodded, "are you feeling jealous?"

Allison looked guilty and nodded, "you love the baby more than you love me."

Teddy scooped the little girl into her lap, "Allison Eloise Altman-Hunt you have no idea how much I love you. You are the only one I got to cuddle as a brand new baby and rock to sleep. Without you I never would have married daddy. I love you so much my heart hurts."

"Really," Allison asked.

"Really," Teddy replied, kissing the top of her head.

"When the baby comes will you love me less," Allison asked.

Teddy shook her head, "that's the amazing thing about love baby girl there's always more to give. Just because you were born didn't mean we loved Annie and less and we still had the same love for both of you when Leo came home. Love grows when new babies or new kids come into a family. You can never have too much love."

"Does love run out," Allison asked.

"No," Owen said, "it changes but you can never run out. We don't show we love you and Leo the same way because your different people just like we show Annie we love her in a different way. It would be silly if I cut up Annie's food for her."

Allison giggled then thought for a moment, "why didn't Annie have a shirt on? She had the thing that goes under her shirt on but no shirt."

Teddy was relieved Annie hadn't been totally top less she at least had her bra on when Allison walked in.

"She was probably getting dressed when you walked in," Owen said.

"She was sitting on the bed and Josh was kissing her tummy," Allison added.

Teddy replied, "I think Josh was saying good morning to the baby."

"By kissing Annie's tummy," Allison asked skeptically.

"I used to say hi to you that way," Owen smiled, "you would try to kick me."

"I wouldn't kick you daddy," Allison said.

"You did and you used to kick mama really hard," Owen said, "but that's how babies learn to move their arms and legs."

"Annie said it goes swimming," Allison said.

"It feels like that sometimes," Teddy smiled thinking of the cute way Annie described it for Allison. The whole family had agreed that all questions would be answered honestly. They never hid things about the human body; all questions were given an age appropriate scientific answer.

"Why is the baby in Annie's tummy if Miss Sheena said the stork brings them," Allison asked.

"Storks are birds, they do not deliver babies," Teddy said firmly, "we told you they grow in their mommy's tummy for 40 weeks then a doctor will help the baby come out."

"Why is there a box of presents at home for the baby," Allison asked.

Teddy smiled, "you have to keep a secret from Annie. Can you do that?"

Allison nodded.

"In a couple weeks mama and auntie Meghan are holding a special party called a baby shower," Teddy explained.

"Will we put the baby in the shower," Allison asked.

Teddy laughed, "no baby girl. A baby shower is a party before the baby is born. A big group of women will get together with Annie's family and friends and we have food, play games and then they bring presents and things the baby will need."

"Like a birthday party," Allison asked.

"Kind of a birthday party before your born," Teddy smiled.

"Did I have one," Allison asked.

"You did," Teddy smiled, "Annie, Nana and Auntie Meghan threw one just a little one. I didn't want a big party."

"Did I have cake," Allison asked.

"There was cake," Teddy smiled, "I'm going to make one for Annie's shower. Do you want to help?"

"Chocolate cake," Allison asked.

"What does Annie like," Teddy asked.

"Chocolate and raspberries," Allison said, "can I go to the party?"

"I haven't decided," Teddy said honestly, "there's no other kids going and it's a special day for Annie."

"But I want to go to Annie's party," Allison whined.

"It's a grown up party," Owen said, "all they do is sit and talk about babies do you want to do that?"

"No but I want a party," Allison whined.

"Tomorrow we have an Easter party," Teddy said, "and that's for the kids the grownups watch all the fun."

"I want to go to Annie's party," Allison begged.

"It's for grownups," Teddy repeated, "well have a special just family welcome baby dinner when they bring her home you can come to that. And we will visit the baby as soon as Annie and Josh are ready to see people after she comes."

"Can I hold her and give her a bottle," Allison asked.

"That will be up to Annie and Josh," Owen said, "it's their baby they decide what is best for her like mama and I decide what's best for you."

"But your Annie's mama and daddy you can make her," Allison said.

"Annie is an adult I can't make her do anything anymore," Teddy said, "the last time I made her do something was 8 years ago."

"But Annie does what you tell her," Allison said.

"Because she's polite, respectful and helpful but if Annie told me she was too tired to help me with dinner that would be okay I wouldn't be mad," Teddy replied.

Owen asked, "Allison can you help me with breakfast?"

"Pancakes and bacon," Allison asked.

"Yes," Owen agreed.

Teddy smiled, "I'm going to do my hair before others are up."

Teddy thought she heard giggles from Annie and Josh's room.

"I can't believe Allison almost caught us," Annie giggled.

"Would not want to explain that to Teddy and Owen," Josh agreed.

"Allison didn't knock," Annie said, "we were decent. We both had pants on and I was wearing a bra."

"Now we have to get dressed," Josh said.

"Where's my bra," Annie asked.

"I don't know," Josh replied.

"You took it off you can find it," Annie laughed, "I only have the one that's comfy right now so you can find it."

"I threw it behind me," Josh said.

"I'll find the rest of my clothes you find where you threw it," Annie said.

"You only brought one," Josh said.

"I have another but I don't like it," Annie said, "I'm not going shopping to wear it for like a month."

"Just get another one you like," Josh said.

"Maybe," Annie said, "I need other ones when she comes I should just wait and see what my body does."

Josh who had been looking on the floor passed it to Annie, "I found it."

"Thank you," Annie smiled , "we'll get dressed, I'll deal with my hair then I'm hungry."

"Your always hungry," Josh teased.

"I think she has your appetite," Annie laughed, "she has your sweet tooth."

They finished getting dressed and walked out of their room.

"I don't like when you yell at me," Allison told Josh.

Josh crouched down to look her in the eye, "I know I raised my voice with you. You surprised us because you didn't knock. Annie and I need some more time to get ready."

Allison said, "you took a long time."

"Annie need time and wanted me to stay with her. She needs me," Josh said.

"She always needs you," Allison whined, "you don't play with me."

Josh nodded, "Annie has needed me a lot she hasn't been feeling good and she's tired. I was going swimming with you today. Do you still want me to come?"

"Will you go on the slide with me," Allison asked.

"I will," Josh promised.

"Why do you keep touching Annie's tummy. She doesn't like when I do it," Allison asked.

"This morning the baby was kicking Annie really hard I was helping it calm down," Josh said, "she asked me to. She lets you cuddle with her but you have to ask first. Annie likes people to ask before they touch her. Have you noticed she always asks you if she can hug you or pick you up before she does it?"

"Only Annie does that," Allison said.

"Do you like that," Josh asked.

"She listens if I say no she doesn't hug me," Allison said, "I like that."

"She always listens and she expects others do the same to her," Josh explained.

Teddy hearing the conversation crouched down with them, "it's always your choice if people touch you. Annie is one of the best about asking people if she can hug them. I want you to watch me and daddy today do we ever touch Annie with out asking first?"

"Sometimes you say Annie then grab her," Allison said.

"I do or Josh never anyone else," Teddy said.

"Mama why doesn't she let me feel the baby move," Allison asked.

"Sometimes Annie really doesn't like being touched," Teddy said, "she let you last night when she read you a story."

"Will she coming swimming," Allison asked.

"No daddy and Josh are going to take you," Teddy said, "remember we talked this morning that you Leo and Annie all need daddy and I in different ways and that we show we love you in different ways. Today Annie needs me to stay back while you go swimming she wants to talk to me."

"Can't she talk to nana or auntie Meghan," Allison complained.

"No baby girl she needs me," Teddy said, "Annie is a grownup but she needs mama two."

"Please," Allison begged.

Teddy sighed, "why don't I stay here and talk to Annie then after lunch I can take you to the playground."

"I want you to swim," Allison begged.

"Allison I told you what we are doing you need to listen," Teddy directed.

After breakfast every except Annie and Teddy walked down to the pool. Teddy poured two cups of tea and sat down across the table from Annie.

"So your sister walked into your room this morning," Teddy laughed.

Annie blushed, "does she ever knock?"

"No," Teddy admitted, "we just lock our door sometimes."

"Nana doesn't do locks on bedroom doors," Annie said.

"She doesn't," Teddy agreed, "what did your sister see?"

Annie turned scarlet, "it was PG. we were half dressed I had my jeans on and a bra Josh was rubbing my belly and talking to the baby."

"She asked about kissing," Teddy said.

"There were a few kisses this morning," Annie said, "lots on my stomach. He does that. I think it's sweet. I also like when he rubs it and talks to the baby."

Teddy smiled, "you should have those moments. It's healthy. You just weren't expecting Allison to come in."

Annie shook her head, "not at all. It was the first day in a while I hadn't woken up feeling like a hippo."

Teddy smiled, "a hippo really? Your cute."

Annie rolled her eyes, "mama I got stuck in the hammock the other day like some sort of bug on its back. I had to text Josh to come help me get out."

Teddy asked, "did your sister see anything not PG?"

Annie turned scarlet again, "no but had she come in a moment later she would have. She has to learn to knock."

Teddy laughed, "the morning after Owen proposed you almost caught us. You just knew how to knock."

"I also would have known what I was walking in on," Annie retorted.

Teddy nodded before asking, "is Josh still being attentive and taking care of you?"

Annie smiled, "he is but he worries too much. I'm fine but I get tired and my back and hips hurt a lot by the end of the day. He massages all the tension out most nights, he's Josh he's always sweet and loving."

Teddy nodded, "it's just us how are you feeling?"

Annie replied, "my back and hips hurt but there's nothing we can do she's heavy I think she'll be a big baby. Carina says average. She's really not letting me sleep between kicking me all night and how much I have to pee. I'm constantly hungry but take four or five bites and I'm full. I'm starting to worry about actually delivering her what if I can't do it?"

Teddy asked, "have you told Carina that?"

Annie shook her head, "she'll think I'm nuts."

Teddy smiled, "she sees it every day she'll know how to help you. Have you and Josh been going to the classes?"

Annie replied, "we do the crash course next weekend."

"Crash course," Teddy asked.

"Six hours straight and just the how to survive none of the biology of what's happening in my body we chose not to do that part we don't need it," Annie said.

Teddy asked, "have you been researching?"

Annie rolled her eyes, "it's me what do you think?"

Teddy smiled, "you have some sort of plan?"

"Stay home until my water breaks and we know it's active labour," Annie said, "we'll go to the hospital as late as we possibly can. I want to stay home where I feel safe and can move around. We've talked to Carina about it I want to be as active and upright as possible to have gravity help. I won't be flat on my back."

Teddy nodded, "have you thought of pain management?"

"No epidural," Annie declared, "I don't want narcotics of any sort it wouldn't be good for the baby. I'm open to other forms but I want to try with out it first? Did you need them?"

Teddy shook her head, "I asked with you but it was too late the doctor wouldn't give it to me no matter how much I begged or my mom bullied. He wanted me to feel it. Allison was six hours from first contraction to delivery I was fine."

"How long was I," Annie asked.

"Thinking back the cramps I had in class the Friday afternoon close to 22 hours," Teddy said, "but it wasn't until about 8 am that I needed help and you were born just after 10."

"Can I do it," Annie asked.

"You can," Teddy promised, "if it's too much you tell Josh or Carina. I can be there if you want me."

"I really only want Josh," Annie said.

"That's how I felt with Allison," Teddy said.

"Does he have to see the actual exit," Annie asked.

"No," Teddy declared, "I wouldn't let Owen. Josh's job is to hold and support you. You tell him what you need how he can help you."

"What if I'm not a good mom," Annie asked.

Teddy took her hands, "you will be."

"How do you know," Annie asked.

"Because you love your little girl. You protect and fight for the people you love," Teddy said.

"I just want her to be happy and healthy," Annie said, "but I'm scared I'll hurt her."

"Your worried you'll hurt her the way Leslie hurt you," Teddy stated.

Annie nodded and wiped tears from her eyes, "what if she thinks I don't love her?"

Teddy replied, "show her. Every day, talk to her, listen, read her stories, play with her, cuddle and just be you. All those special things you've always done with Allison and Leo do with your baby. Annie you'll know how to be her mama you'll get to know her and what she needs. There's no text book we all make it up with our own baby. It's not easy at first but you and Josh will learn together."

"What if there's something wrong," Annie asked.

"Then Alex, Carina and Arizona will fix it," Teddy said, "you've had every test possible more then we would usually do for your first with no risks."

"Could there be," Annie asked.

"No," Teddy said, "it's highly unlikely. Everything looks good. She's healthy, your healthy."

"My blood pressure was up for a couple weeks," Annie said.

"When Jessica was here and sick," Teddy said, "it was back to normal when you weren't dealing with them. Stop stressing Annie your healthy, your daughter will be healthy. Everything is good with you and Josh."

"It is," Annie said, "I'm scared I'll have the baby and he'll never find me attractive again."

Teddy sighed, "sweetheart you have nothing to worry about."

Annie shook her head, "I look like a small elephant."

"Annie," Teddy said, "what was going on in your room this morning? I've seen the way he looks at you. You have nothing to worry about."

"What about after," Annie asked.

"It might take awhile to feel like yourself again," Teddy said, "Josh will understand and be loving and supportive. He never pushes you. You've always been an affectionate couple that won't change it might look different for a bit but you'll find what works for you."

"What if I'm fat," Annie whined.

"Sweetheart if you have to go shopping you go shopping," Teddy said, "you have nothing to worry about. You'll walk with her when she comes, Carina will clear you for working out when your body is ready. Annie you've been the same size as long as I've known you. That's not normal. If you need a small or a medium instead of an extra small or a small you're okay."

"But what if Josh hates it," Annie complained.

"I know I told you this years ago but if a man judges your body that's his problem," Teddy said, "it's Josh. He will understand and love you. He doesn't love you for your appearance, you know that."

"But what if," Annie said, "I was talking to Cassie in BC and her daughters father left as soon as she started to show."

"Then he wasn't a real man," Teddy said, "I had the same fears when Allison was born. Owen surprised me. I worried when I had you, that no one would ever want me but I was pleasantly surprised."

"But Cassie said," Annie whined.

"Your situation is different," Teddy said, "you're married and older. Cassie's daughter has to be 7 now. I'm glad you have Cassie to talk to about everything and becoming a mom. You still need Cassie and Alice. When do you see them again?"

"Cassie is down in July for the Seattle games," Annie said, "I told her I would bring the baby to the games and say hi. Alice is in town a week before my due date for a conference and we're going to do dinner. She's going to laugh at how big I am. I was always the smallest in our dance group."

"You might see them sooner," Teddy smirked.

"Did you invite them to the shower," Annie asked.

"I did," Teddy smiled.

"Mama you said you would keep it small," Annie whined.

"There's a lot of people that love you," Teddy said, "people that want to celebrate with you."

"Not too many," Annie said.

"All people you talk to regularly," Teddy promised.

"Simple," Annie said.

"We will keep it simple," Teddy promised.

"Should we finish cleaning up and walk down to meet them," Annie asked, "Allison wanted more time with you."

"She's jealous," Teddy admitted, "but she has to learn that she can't always be the center of attention."

"What if we took a picnic," Annie suggested, "I need the washroom then I'll help."

"Sure," Teddy said.

Annie hauled herself out of her chair and walked down the hall.

Teddy smiled watching her go. She was so proud of this young woman, her first baby, the one who taught her how deeply it was possible to love another person the one who gave her the strength to stand up for herself and find her voice a reason to be stronger and better. At times Teddy felt torn between her oldest and her little two, the babies that she gets to really be mama to for their whole lives. The last few months Annie had needed Teddy more than she had since she was 21. She knew Annie would need her as she adjusted to being a mom. Today's fears had caught Teddy by surprise. She hadn't thought Annie was worrying about her relationship with Josh, then again she never talked about they physical aspect of her marriage. Annie had never confided in Teddy about her physical relationship; it was just assumed that it happened. She also knew Allison would be jealous at least during the adjustment. Annie had been Teddy and Owens back up for Allison and Leo for their whole lives. Allison didn't know anything other than her doting older sister. Teddy thought Allison would miss having Annie around as much. She hoped that Annie would still make time for Allison, even if their sister days would have to change, things would not be the same with the arrival of Annie's daughter.

After making lunch Annie and Teddy got ready to walk to the community center.

"Don't you have better shoes," Teddy asked.

Annie looked at the slip on sneakers, "these are comfy and I don't have to tie them. My actual runners are in our room."

"Your back will feel better if you wear better shoes," Teddy suggested.

"But they don't look as good. The only cute things I have left are my shoes," Annie whined.

"Annie were walking down to the community center then you and Josh will go for a walk. You'll feel better in proper shoes," Teddy encouraged.

"I'm okay in these," Annie said, "they're not as bad as they look that's why I wear them."

"If your sure," Teddy replied grabbing the cooler off the table and the tote bag.

"I can carry something," Annie said.

"Picnic blanket and the bag with chips and cookies," Teddy said, "nice light things."

"I've got it," Annie replied.

The grabbed what they needed for their picnic and locked the door behind them before walking down to the community center making small talk.

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