Annie reluctantly walked into Meghan's house on Sunday afternoon. She was three weeks away from her due date and just wanted to be home with Josh. He had driven her to Meghan's and was going to hang out with Nathan and Faroke for a few hours. Meghan's living room was decorated with pink balloons and streamers. Looking around the room Annie saw Leslie talking with a hunched old woman leaning on a cane, it took Annie a moment to figure out who it was, it was Grandma Nuefeld, Leslie's mom.
"Hi sweetheart," Teddy greeted Annie.
"Mama there's a lot of people here," Annie whispered.
"Breath," Teddy whispered, "they all want to celebrate with you. They all came for you."
"Why me," Annie asked.
"Because people love you," Teddy said.
"Annie Bean," an old lady called.
"Grandma," Annie asked.
"It's my bean. After 8 years I get to hug my bean," grandma cried.
"No tears you'll make me cry," Annie sniffed, "I've missed you."
"I missed you too bean," Grandma said, "can I have a hug?"
"Yes," Annie said, putting her arms around the old woman, "this is the best I can do right now."
Grandmere gushed in french, " Look at you, you're all grown up. Where did my little girl go? What happened I don't see you for a month and the baby grows. "
Annie responded in french , hugging the old woman, "Hello grandmere. I missed you two. Three more weeks and she's here."
Grandmere asked still in french, "My little girl is ready to be a mom. Where did the time go?"
"We're the only french speakers here grandmere," Annie said, "but I will speak french to the baby. At least your lullabies. I only use it to call you or yell at Chris."
"Did you know she spoke french," Bailey asked Meghan.
"I didn't until the Haiti trip when she got mad at her brother and yelled at him in french so I wouldn't understand her," Meghan replied.
"She only uses it with Dan's mom," Teddy explained, "I've heard her use it on the phone. It's Quebec French a strange Canadian dialect from what I understand. She was almost fluent at one point."
"Annie," Jenna called, "are you coming?"
"Coming to do what," Annie asked.
"Sit," Cassidy directed, "play games, eat, open presents."
"Really," Annie asked.
"Yes," Julia replied.
Annie made her way around the room greeting people, she noticed that many of the junior residents she had trained made it along with her friends and the attendings that were teaching her.
When Annie found Leslie she hugged her, "thank you for bringing grandma."
"You're welcome sweetie," Leslie said, "she wants to be here for this so badly. Before the afternoon gets busy and you get caught up with your friends I want to let you know that only part of dad and my gift is here. He's meeting Josh at your house with the book shelf to move it into the nursery. It will be there when you get home."
"Thank you," Annie said.
"They want to play games so go try your new chair," Leslie said.
"What," Annie asked.
"Look over there," Teddy said, "your dad dropped it off."
"He had time to make it," Annie said tearing up, "it's what I've pictured since I was a little girl. It's what I've been trying to find."
"Just like the one at home he made for me when you were a baby," Leslie said, "I made the cushion on the chair and the footstool. We started when you told us."
Annie walked over to the hand made rocking chair, eyes filled with tears. It was made of a rich dark cherry wood with soft grey cushions on the chair and matching footstool. It was the perfect chair to cuddle her baby and read stories to her little girl as she grew up. Annie had spent hours tucked in to Leslie's chair listening to stories, then reading herself as she got older.
"It's perfect," Annie whispered, "it's absolutely perfect. But how did dad have time?"
"He did it at school," Leslie said, "he said building furniture for your baby was what kept him calm and sane through all of this. He started just after Christmas, he was always going to do this for you."
"Dad always loved woodwork," Annie agreed.
"Try it," Teddy suggested.
Annie lowered herself into the chair and put her feet up on the footstool, "I'm not getting up now. This is comfortable."
"You'll spend a lot of time there," Teddy said.
"You will," Leslie agreed, "first to cuddle and feed your baby then it's a good story chair."
"I'm looking forward to story time," Annie smiled, "I love reading with Ali and Leo."
"How does she make this look so cute," Julia whispered to Jenna.
"I don't know," Jenna said, "must be the Altman genes. I remember when mama Altman had Allison when we were interns she never got very big."
"But Annie's cute with it," Julia said, "I'm sure the rest of us won't be that cute."
"Ya but think what's gone on with her family she may look cute and put together but what she went through with her sister and the tumor I would never want to do that. Think about everything she has going on below the surface," Cassidy said.
"The sister tried to hurt Annie before they got the brain tumor out," Jenna said, "it explains a lot of why Annie was pushed out but the sister still needs psych treatment. That was the nastiest tumor I've seen. Even Amelia was surprised by it."
"Her parents actually came to see her today for her," Jenna said, "her dad built that rocking chair just for her."
"They brought her grandmas," Cassidy said.
"I hope they stick around for her," Steph whispered, "I remember when she was stabbed and all the drama started. She needs them in or out."
"They wouldn't be here if they weren't planning on staying in her life," Julia said.
Annie was surrounded by friends when Meghan decided it was time for games. They had planned a few different ones. Around the room they had set up different activities, onesie decorating, a scrapbook station and the typical guessing games.
Leslie was watching the scene surprised by how many people had come out that afternoon when she was approached by Catherine.
"I don't think we've met," Catherine greeted, "how do you know Grace?"
"I'm Leslie McKellar," Leslie said, "how do you know Annie?"
"Dr Catherine Fox, I've actually known your daughter since she first went to medical school. I was teaching the surgical rotations the first three years she was there. She did her first surgery in my OR. I remember this shy girl with starfish or sea otters on her scrub cap that came alive in the OR," Catherine said, "she's a smart woman and a natural surgeon. There was something about her that caught my attention from the first day she stepped into my OR. Her and Josh were in the same group; they were quite the team from the start."
"You've taught her," Leslie asked.
"More when she was first starting. She doesn't enjoy my specialty," Catherine said.
"What is your specialty," Leslie asked. She was learning that this really mattered.
"Urology," Catherine replied, seeing Leslie's shocked face, "don't make that face dear. There's nothing wrong with a penis."
"Excuse me," Leslie said.
"They can be marvelous things. You have three children you know," Catherine said.
"How do you know so much about our family," Leslie asked.
"My husband Richard has been at Grey Sloan his whole career and is the head of the residency program," Catherine replied, "he's known Grace for 10 years. "
"Dr Webber," Leslie said, "I remember him from when Annie finished her bachelors degree."
"How do you decide who calls her Grace and who uses Annie," grandma asked.
"It's up to Annie," Teddy replied , "Annie is close friends and family. Only those closest to her get to use Annie. Professionally and with most people she's Grace."
"So we can figure out her best friends and family with the name," grandma asked.
"You can," Teddy confirmed, "we should eat soon I'm going to see if she wants anything."
"She's happy with her friends," grandmere said.
"She needs a moment soon," Teddy replied , "or she's getting uncomfortable."
Teddy could see Annie shifting in her seat a clear sign these days she was uncomfortable or had enough. Teddy remembered the feeling from when she had both girls.
"Teddy, stop hovering," Evelyn scolded, "she's 37 weeks and worn out. She's 38 on Tuesday. Leave her be with her friends. Julia, Jenna, Cassidy and Steph are there; two of those girls are OBs or maternal fetal."
"Are you Teddy's mother," grandma asked.
"I'm not. Teddy is married to my son Owen," Evelyn replied, "I've known Teddy since 2002 and Annie since she was 19. Teddy is just one of my kids now and has been since the first time Owen brought her home. Annie is my granddaughter, I'm her nana."
"So she has three grandmothers now," grandma said.
"Evelyn Hunt," Evelyn introduced herself, "Marie and I met at Annie's birthday party."
"Bev Neufeld," grandma said.
"She's always spoken highly of both of you," Evelyn smiled, "and we've all enjoyed the results of your cooking lessons."
"She still cooks," Bev asked.
"She does," Evelyn said, "she's a good cook. Better then her mama. Annie, Meghan and I cook. We leave baking to Teddy."
"I cook," Teddy said, "Annie is just better. Always had been."
"It's important that a girl can cook," Bev said, "how else does she get a husband."
"I think it was Annie's brain and personality that got Josh's attention," Evelyn smiled, "he's not a bad cook either."
"Let's eat," Meghan called, "Annie you go first."
"Let me get up," Annie said.
Steph offered her a hand, "here."
"Thanks," Annie replied as her friend pulled her up.
"Can you still operate," Julia asked.
"Awkwardly but I can still reach the table," Annie laughed, "Carina hasn't said no yet and I have two weeks left at work."
"Only two weeks," Cassidy said.
"Two weeks in the OR," Annie said, "I'm off surgery May 5 but will do office work and research on the HLH project until she comes."
"Starting your research," Jenna asked.
"Building on Dr Yangs," Annie said, "not starting my project until September so I have something baby friendly to start with when I come back."
"What will you do at home for three months," Steph asked.
"I don't know," Annie replied, "the last time I had more than 4 days in a row was our honeymoon. I haven't had a month off since grade 9."
"We had two weeks one summer when you came to Momma and Daddy's ranch," Steph said, "it was the one break you didn't fly to Germany to scrub in with your mama."
"That was fun. I liked your horses," Annie said.
They all enjoyed the treats until Teddy decided it was time for Annie to open gifts.
"Annie we're going to open gifts," Teddy said.
"I don't like this part of showers," Annie whispered, "sit in a chair and everyone watches me open gifts."
"You get your new one," Teddy said.
"It is very cozy," Annie said.
"Go get comfortable," Teddy said.
"Pee first," Annie said, "she's on my bladder again. Could she not attack my spleen and bladder for a while please."
Teddy smiled, "just go quickly and come sit."
They moved all of the gifts to a big pile beside the rocking chair. Annie came back and settled in the rocking chair.
"Can someone keep a list for me," Annie asked.
"I'm on it darling," Evelyn said.
"Thank you," Annie said.
Jenna sat on the foot stool beside Annie and began passing her gifts to open.
"This is too much," Annie said, wiping tears from her eyes. We don't need all this.
"It's for your little girl," Leslie said.
"She's a lucky little one," Annie smiled.
"She has a great mama," Meghan said.
"I'm going with mum," Annie said.
"Not mama," Teddy teased.
"That's your name or Meghan's," Annie said.
"Mum that's the Canadian pronunciation," Leslie smiled.
"I told you I haven't gone totally American. And she'll have dual citizenship as well," Annie smiled.
"Annie you're not done," Jenna said.
"Don't let her lift that," Leslie said, "it's heavy."
Jenna put the box on the footstool.
"What is this," Annie asked.
"Open it," Leslie prompted.
Annie sat on the edge of her chair and pulled the paper off the box, she lifted the lid and found books. Titles she remembered from her childhood and newer ones. Annie pushed herself out of the chair and hugged Leslie as tight as she could , "thank you mom."
Teddy brought out the last gift, "this is from Owen and I."
"Mama what did you do," Annie asked, she knew Teddy enjoyed surprising her family.
"I enjoyed this," Teddy said.
Annie unwrapped the gift, opening the paper she found a bassinet one of the last things she needed to go get. She now knew why Teddy had told her she didn't need to go get one they had talked about using Allison's which Teddy still had. Inside the bassinet she found the bedding for it matching what she had chosen for the crib. Teddy had included a few smaller items. There was also a book Teddy, Owen, Leo and Allison had created for Annie's baby, it echoed the one Annie made when Allison was born. There was a small wrapped box that Annie opened, she lifted out a necklace with her initials and birthstone and Josh's on the little charms and one blank one with May's emerald.
"We have to put her initials on it when she comes," Teddy said.
"It's beautiful," Annie said.
"So she's always close to you," Teddy smiled.
"Like yours," Annie smiled.
"The charms are different," Teddy said.
Annie found a letter at the bottom of the bassinet, it was dated for the day she was born and in Teddy's writing.
"Mama, we read all of the letters when I got married," Annie said.
"Read it later sweetheart," Teddy said, "I wrote that the day you were born, I was saving it for the right time."
"Why," Annie said.
"You'll know when you read it," Teddy said, "we'll talk about it later."
Annie hugged Teddy, "thank you mama."
"Your welcome sweetheart," Teddy replied, returning the hug.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with joyful chatter. Just before dinner time Josh came to pick Annie up.
"How was it," Josh asked.
"It went really well. I can't believe how many people came out for us," Annie said, "mom came and brought grandma."
"I know, I was with your dad, grandpa and papa," Josh said, "finally got to know them."
"A little out of order," Annie laughed.
"You doing okay," Josh asked.
"Tired but we should help Meghan clean up," Annie replied.
"I'll help, you relax, Annie go see your grandmas," Josh said.
"Why don't you take your stuff home and spend some time with Annie's grandparents," Teddy suggested.
"She looks worn out, we don't want to intrude," Marie said.
"Come back with us," Annie said, "two of you can ride with us so you're not as squished in dad's truck. We'll order something for dinner."
"How can we help," Leslie asked.
"Dan should be here in a few minutes but it looks like just taking all of this to the car," Josh said.
"We'll put the rocking chair in the truck," Leslie said.
"I have Annie's car so that's probably a good idea," Josh said.
"We'll help you carry everything out," Teddy said.
"Mama why don't you come," Annie said, "I can put finishing touches on the nursery now and I want you to finish it with me."
"You're almost done," Teddy asked.
"A few things to place now and baby clothes to wash and fold," Annie smiled, "laundry I'll pick away at slowly."
Teddy knew Annie was feeling uncomfortable about having the McKellar family in her house. Annie had been increasingly insecure and emotional the last couple weeks so Teddy decided to go along with it.
"Why don't I grab Owen and the kids," Teddy suggested.
"It's been a couple weeks since I've seen Leo," Annie said, "bring them all, we'll order pizza."
"I'll call him to meet us there," Teddy said, "Allison will be happy to see you. She misses you."
"I know," Annie said, "I haven't been making enough time for them. I feel guilty."
"You've had a busy few months," Teddy said, "they'll understand when they're a bit bigger."
"I know," Annie said, "it's just another example of me sucking as a big sister. I only have a 25% success rate."
"There's 24 years between you and Leo and 25 between you and Ali," Teddy said, "they love you and you've created so many special moments for the three of you. They're excited to play with your baby. Ali asks me every day when the baby will be here."
"She could come now and be healthy and we would be ready," Annie said.
"Let's get through the next couple weeks," Teddy said, "the longer she stays where she is the better her lungs will be."
"I know," Annie said, "i'm not that desperate yet. I would like little feet to stay off my diaphram though that hurts."
"It does," Teddy agreed, "but why don't you gather up some of the lighter things and we'll help Josh."
"Okay," Annie replied, she gathered a few gift bags of stuffed animals and little baby outfits.
After carrying the gifts out Annie and Josh drove home, her parents and grandparents decided to give them some space for the short drive.
"I can't believe I just invited my parents to our house," Annie said.
"Not ours just yet," Josh replied.
"I know," Annie smiled, "soon. Once we sign our fellowship papers we can do the whole process."
"June 30," Josh said, "but Teddy won't sell it to anyone other than us."
"She wasn't even considering selling until we talked to her," Annie said, "it's home."
"It's the first real home I've had," Josh said, "it's our home."
"It's where our baby will come home," Annie said.
"Are you sure you're okay," Josh asked, "you keep shifting in your seat."
"I've sat a lot and Ellie's really moving," Annie said, "my back hurts. It's one of those days she's not letting me get comfortable."
"How can I help," Josh asked.
"Until people go home nothing," Annie said, "I need a bubble bath and for you to massage my lower back and hips."
"I'll try to keep it short," Josh promised, "what time do you have rounds?"
"I'm with mama so she likes to start rounds by 7," Annie said, "I should be there for 6 to pre round but I can push lots of it to my interns and junior residents."
"Could you do it at 6:30," Josh asked, "get a bit more sleep. I don't round until 7:30. Text them and give them directions to start without you and you'll be there at 6:30."
"6:15 I could do," Annie said, "but it's tight."
"How much can you delegate," Josh asked.
"It's HLH stuff for the most part," Annie said, "Christina comes back on Friday. I can't push it off. My Nicu babies I need to do myself. Those parents know me."
"What do you have in the NICU right now," Josh asked.
"30 week triplets," Annie replied, "two need valves this week and one I'm monitoring."
"Can you do it," Josh asked.
"The surgery, yes," Annie nodded, "facing the parents is hard. The mom wasn't super happy to see me yesterday."
"Parents usually love you," Josh said.
"The closer we get to our due date the harder it is for parents of preemies to see me," Annie replied, "I'm not taking new cases on now, just finishing what I have."
"Why would they not want to see you," Josh asked.
"They had their babies early and Ellie's still in there," Annie explained.
"Should you even be up there," Josh asked.
"I'm having trouble lifting other patients," Annie replied, "I'm staying with my smallest patients other than Jonah."
"Jonah, Lvad boy," Josh asked.
"Yes he's a really sweet kid," Annie replied, "he gets really excited to see me when I come into his room. His mom sits by his bed all day and plays with him or knits while he sleeps, she made us a blanket for Ellie."
They pulled into the driveway and began carrying things inside.
"I cant believe how generous people were for our baby," Annie said.
"This is hard to believe," Josh said, "where do you want it?"
"Let's put everything in the nursery," Annie said, "there's two things in my purse from mama."
"Why are they in your purse," Josh asked.
"A letter she wrote to me the day I was born and has held onto all this time and two necklaces , one for Ellie and one for me," Annie said, "with the charms for each of our initials and birthstones."
"Your dad brought a bookshelf over," Josh said.
"Mom said he did," Annie replied.
"It's just in the nursery," Josh said, "it should fit under the window."
"Dad also built a beautiful rocking chair I want in the nursery," Annie said.
"Your parents, and grandparents are coming and all will want to help," Josh said.
"Just make sure they listen to me," Annie siad, "I need you to make sure my voice is heard."
"I will," Josh said.
Annie unlocked the front door and used her foot to stop the cat from escaping.
"Can you put Milo in our room," Annie asked, "and lock him in."
"Keeps people out of our room," Josh agreed, "where all of our mess is."
"I don't think I even made the bed today," Annie said, "I was feeling lazy."
"You're allowed to be," Josh said, "Milo isn't great with strangers and likes to escape, it's a good excuse to keep him locked up."
"I need a hug before they all get here," Annie said.
"You always do," Josh said, wrapping his arms around her, Annie leaned her head against his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head. Annie lifted her head off his shoulder and met his lips for a quick kiss.
"Someone know's daddy's here," Annie smiled putting Josh's hand where Ellie was kicking.
"She knows mommy and daddy love her," Josh agreed.
There was a knock on the door interrupting their quiet moment.
Dan stood at the door carrying the rocking chair, "are you sure this is a good time bear?"
"Come in," Annie said, opening the door further.
"Where do you want this Annie," Dan asked.
"In the nursery," Annie replied, "I'll show you."
"Annie this doesn't look like the same place we used to come see you and Teddy at," Leslie said.
"I've made it ours over the last few years," Annie said, "we repainted a few weeks ago except our room because we still liked the blue."
"Bean," grandpa yelled.
"Grandpa," Annie called back, throwing her arms around the old man.
"Look at my little jumping bean," Grandpa said.
"I grew up," Annie smiled, "my baby bean should be here in three weeks."
"You're that close," grandmere asked.
"May 12," Annie said, "if she's on time."
"Hopefully," grandma said.
"Annie," papa greeted.
"Hi papa," Annie replied, "come in."
"I still can't believe that my girl that used to watch as I fileted fish and begged to do it herself at five is a surgeon," papa said.
"I liked cutting early," Annie laughed.
"Did my lessons help you," papa asked.
"They did," Annie replied, "I make all my interns and jr residents learn how to make clean filets. It's a good basis for careful cutting."
"Nee," Allison yelled coming through the door.
"Ali," Annie called back.
"Nee how much longer until I can play with your baby," Allison asked.
"About three weeks," Annie said, "maybe a bit longer. Are you excited to be auntie Ali?"
"I'm too little to be auntie. Aunties are grownups," Allison said with her hands on her hips.
"Who is that child," Bev asked.
"My youngest," Teddy replied.
Bev smiled, "that's Allison. They look alike."
Owen joined them, "both girls look like Teddy."
"I noticed how much Annie looks like Teddy now earlier," Bev agreed.
Teddy knew Annie didn't like this sort of conversation; it was a fact that they looked alike and didn't need to be discussed.
"Annie where do you want things," Teddy asked.
"In the nursery please," Annie responded, "the bassinet and its stand can go to our room but the cat is in there."
"You have a cat," Leslie asked.
"His name is Milo," Annie replied, "he's a bit of an escape artist so he gets locked up when we have people over."
Teddy laughed, " or your room is a mess."
"I didn't get around to making the bed today. I was too lazy. I didn't sleep well," Annie admitted.
Teddy asked, "are you okay?"
Annie nodded, "tiny feet on my bladder all night. I'm good. She's just wiggly."
Marie asked, "is it an active baby?"
"Do you want to feel grandmere," Annie asked, "she's moving. Grandma?"
"Please," both old women said together.
Leslie was shocked she had to beg Annie to let her feel the baby move. She knew Teddy was rarely allowed to touch Annie these days. Only Josh could get in her bubble.
After a couple moments Annie announced, "I'm going to the washroom and will be right back. We've already ordered pizza mama can you get the plates out?"
"I will," Teddy replied.
"Let's see the nursery," Bev said.
"Wait for Annie," Leslie said, "it's her house."
"Mama where is Annie," Allison asked.
"Washroom," Teddy replied, "can you help me set the table?"
"Okay," Allison replied.
"Daddy why do Annie and the baby get all the attention," Leo asked.
"Because new babies are exciting and special," Owen said.
"But the baby isn't here yet. It's still in Annie's tummy," Leo said, "do they love Annie more than us."
"No," Owen said, "this is a special time for Annie and Josh. You'll have special times when your turn comes."
"But Annie doesn't play with us now," Leo whined.
"She does," Owen said, "but it looks a bit different now."
Annie had heard Leo, "Lion come here."
"Can you play with me," Leo asked.
"Soon," Annie said, "maybe I can read to you before you go home. I have a new puzzle we could do."
"I want you to play soccer," Leo said.
"I can't run and play soccer right now," Annie said, "this summer when the baby comes and she's a bit bigger I can."
"Will you ride bikes with us," Leo asked.
"When the baby is bigger," Annie replete, "I miss playing with you two."
"Why not right when the baby comes," Leo asked.
"Because Annie will need time to get to know the baby and she'll be really tired. She has to spend a day or so in the hospital when the baby comes," Owen explained.
"Hospital like when they fixed my heart," Leo asked.
"Sort of like when they fixed your heart," Owen said.
"It's not a surgery," Annie said.
"You can go to the hospital without having surgery," Leo asked.
"Yes," Annie laughed, "you hear about a lot of suregries."
"But I want to fly helicopters like Chris when I grow up," Leo said.
"You'll have to tell him next time he comes," Annie said.
"When does Chris come," Leo asked.
"He has some time off in July, him and Becky are going to come after their wedding for a visit," Annie said.
"Where do you want your chair Annie," Dan asked.
"Lets put it in the nursery for now," Annie said, "I may move it back to the living room."
"Can we see the nursery," Leslie asked.
"You can," Annie said, "it's almost done. I'd like to put the finishing touches on tonight."
"Can we help," Teddy asked.
"You can, Mom, Grandmere, Grandma, Nana," Annie asked, "do you want to help? Ali are you in?"
"I'd love to," Marie smiled.
"What do you need darling," Evelyn asked, "your incharge."
"It's your house," Teddy agreed.
"Soon," Annie smiled.
"We just need to do all the paperwork," Teddy said.
"Paperwork for what," Bev asked.
"Mama has owned the house for years," Annie said, "Josh and I are going to buy it from her. It's home. We have a verbal deal, our lease isn't up until August so we have time."
"Buying a home that's huge," Marie said, "congratulations."
"Still in progress," Annie said, "I'll let you know when it's actually ours."
"I won't sell it to anyone else," Teddy replied, "I wasn't even thinking of it until you brought it up."
"You," Bev said, "not your husband?"
"I bought this ten years ago before Owen and I were together," Teddy said, "it's mine. Owen and I have been married almost 4 years now. We bought our house together before we got married but this has always been mine. It's where I got to know Annie and was my home with her. She's lived here longer than I have now."
"Isn't everything shared in a marriage," Bev asked.
"Owen and I were in our mid 40s when we got married," Teddy said, "we both had lives before that. I've known him since 2002. Not putting this house in both our names was a decision we made together. My years in Germany this is what I thought of as home. This is where I first came back to when I returned."
"Why did you go to Germany," Marie asked.
"I had an amazing job offer to run Medical Command for the Army in Europe and the Middle East," Teddy said, "Henry, my first husband had passed, Annie was in Boston. I needed a change. So I packed up and shipped what I could to Germany or to Boston for Annie to use. Evelyn let me put all of the sentimental things in her attic, photo albums, letters from Leslie, both Annie and my yearbooks. I rented the house to a couple residents and left. Annie came to see me in Germany on her breaks and any time I had a chance I flew to Boston to see her."
"We made it work," Annie said, "should we take a look. Only Josh and I have seen it. Ali can you get the door?"
Allison opened the door and Annie lead the way into the room.
"It's beautiful," Marie said.
"We have to put the things from today away," Annie said, "people were too generous with us."
"What goes in here," Teddy asked.
"Everything but the bassinet," Annie said, "Josh already put that in our room."
"You sit and tell us where to put things," Evelyn said.
"I'm fine nana," Annie replied, "I want to do this."
"Don't over do it," Teddy said.
Annie made a face at Teddy.
"Annie," Teddy said, raising her eyebrows.
Following Annie's lead they finished putting things away in the nursery. Annie sat in her rocking chair, she rested her hands on her bump and smiled. She had her family together, at least for one day. She could tell her grandma wasn't totally in love with the path she had chosen for herself but she hoped that was just lack of understanding.
When the pizza arrived Josh walked into the room and sat on the footstool by Annie's chair, "is this what you wanted?"
"It is," Annie smiled, "she's going to be so loved."
"She will be," Josh agreed.