Please make sure you've read 183-188 before this chapter.
Teddy was in her kitchen getting ready for a family dinner, she missed Annie having time to help her. Annie had five more days in the OR and was mainly working with HLH babies and their 3D printed conduits and scaffolds, Annie was also trying to study for her boards. Teddy smiled looking from her kitchen into the living room, Leo was building with lego while Allison coloured.
"Owen," Teddy called.
"Yes," Owen called down the stairs.
"Take the kids and go get your mom," Teddy called.
"both " Owen asked.
"Yes both," Teddy replied.
"Why," Owen asked.
"Annie is on her way," Teddy said, "Josh is in the OR. She just wants some time with me without our munchkins."
"How's she doing," Owen asked.
"Meg said Annie was crying at work again," Teddy said.
Owen came into the kitchen still buttoning his shirt, "do you know why?"
Teddy sighed, "I'm hoping she's just tired and hormonal. Josh and Jenna were sent on an organ recovery and she got jealous because she can't fly, she loves transplants."
Owen replied, "she's ready to have that baby isn't she."
Teddy replied, " ten days to her due date but it's her first she'll probably be overdue, she was 10 days late. The next couple weeks will be hard on her."
Owen asked, "does she have to keep working?"
Teddy replied, "she needs 10 more hours in the OR. We've pushed really hard to do her 5th year hours ahead of schedule. We've shaved 7 weeks off the usual 5th year schedule. This year has been grueling for her. Fifth year is brutal when your not pregnant, Annie has done well. She's hardly complained until the last couple weeks."
Owen thought, "when she gets her 10 she's done, send her home."
Teddy sighed, "you try. Do you know how stubborn our oldest daughter is?"
"As stubborn as you," Owen replied, "she learned it from you."
"She keeps throwing in my face that her and I did a pacemaker the afternoon before I had Allison," Teddy said.
"Is that why you gave her the few days before her due date off," Owen said.
Teddy smiled, "I think she should have it. She's had enough. Her last shift is Saturday and it's only an 8 hour one. I also put Josh on shortened days and no nights the week she's due. Then start his leave after she delivers. I have him on call and standby for if the baby is late."
"Okay," Owen said, "I'll take the dynamic duo so you can have some time with our oldest."
Teddy hugged him, "thanks my love."
"Leo, Allison , you have 5 minutes to clean up and have shoes on we're going to get nana," Owen called.
Allison whined, "mama said Annie was coming. I want Annie to play house with me. Annie does all the voices."
Teddy scolded, "I told you that you can't bother Annie today. She's tired and not feeling good."
Allison asked, "does her baby make her tired?"
Teddy nodded, "it does. We have to be really nice to Annie today. If you ask very nicely she might read to you. She likes to read to you."
"When does the baby come," asked Allison
"Soon," Teddy replied, "finish this week, auntie Meghan's birthday, a week of preschool, then the baby. She should be here for Mother's Day."
"How does the baby come out of Annie's tummy," asked Allison .
Teddy shook her head, "Annie will go to the hospital and Dr Deluca will help her."
"Does she need surgery," Allison asked.
"We hope not," Teddy said.
"Then if they don't do surgery how does the baby get out," Allison asked.
"I'll tell you when you're older," Teddy promised, "but it's a lot of hard work and Annie will be tired and need a lot of rest after. Mama will spend a few days taking care of Annie, Josh and the baby. Nana and Auntie Meghan will help them as well."
"Like how the baby got in Annie's tummy," Allison asked.
Teddy replied, "yes."
"Mama, how is Annie our sister when she's a grown up," asked Leo.
Teddy sat on the floor with the kids, "I've told you this story. When mama was starting medical school she had a baby, that because she was too young and hadn't met daddy she gave to another mommy and daddy to love as their own. Annie was that baby, when Annie was 19 so way before you were born she phoned mama and wanted to get to know me. Annie is my first baby but she also has another mommy and daddy. It's like how daddy and I chose that we wanted Leo as part of our family. Her other mommy and daddy chose her. That's why she has her brother Chris."
"When I get bigger can I find my other family ," Leo asked.
Owen replied, "when you are old enough we will help you."
Allison asked, "does Annie have a different daddy?"
Teddy replied, "she does."
"Where's Annie's daddy," asked Leo.
"I don't know," Teddy said, "I haven't talked to him since Annie was in my tummy. That was 30 years ago."
"What about Annie's baby whoes it's daddy," Allison asked.
Teddy replied, "Josh. Annie and Josh are married. You were the flower girl and ring bearer in their wedding."
"We got to wear pretty dresses and throw flowers and Annie looked like a princess," Allison said.
Teddy smiled, "she did munchkin."
"I like Josh," Leo said , "he goes on the best bike rides with me."
Owen called, "let's go guys nana is waiting."
"Coming daddy," Allison said.
"Bye mama," called Leo .
Teddy looked at Owen, "will one of the three call me mom?"
"Annie started it with mama and you've had 10 years of practice with that name Teds," Owen said.
Owen led the kids out the door.
Annie had just parked her car and was waddling toward the house.
"Annie," yelled Allison. She ran to jump on her big sister.
"Ali, slow down," Annie said , "I'll hug you but you can't jump on me anymore."
"When can I have spiny hugs again," Allison asked.
"After the baby comes," Annie replied, "I promise. Mama and daddy are both working this weekend so you, and Leo are coming to stay with Josh and I. Josh might spin you in the air if you ask nicely."
"It's always after the baby comes your no fun anymore," Allison whined.
Annie reached for her baby sisters hand, "okay miss Allison I'll make you a deal. When the baby comes and I have finished my surgeon test you and I will go for one of our fun days. But you'll have to help me show your niece how girls' days work."
"Can we go to the zoo," Allison asked, "the last time we had a girls day we went swimming."
"Maybe," Annie replied, "it would be a big outing for a new baby. I was thinking maybe the beach. Mama might want to come two."
Owen replied, "Annie you're going to need and want down time with your baby."
Annie looked at Allison, "I'm not saying as soon as the baby comes we'll go. But sometime between my surgeon test and when you go to pre k we will go."
"Promise," Allison asked.
Annie stuck out her pinkie, "pinkie promise."
Owen shook his head, "you are a pushover . The way you give into your siblings you're not going to be able to say no to your own baby."
"Uncle Owen, my siblings see me more as the fun aunt than a big sister so I can have fun and spoil," Annie said, "they've been good practice for me."
"If you say so," Owen said, "mama is waiting for you inside. We're going to go get nana."
"See you soon," Annie replied.
Annie waddled to the door and opened it, "mama?"
Teddy called, "in the living room come sit with me."
Annie kicked off her flats, and made her way to the living room. She lowered herself onto the couch.
"Long day," Teddy asked.
"Frustrating," Annie replied, "Meghan wouldn't let me touch a patient. The poor kid was having a panic attack and she wouldn't let me calm him. Then I couldn't reach to retie my shoe and had to get Cassidy to do it. And one of my interns asked when I was going to pop and if I was going to have the baby in the OR. Plus I was shut out of the OR all day. Not even Shepherd would take me. It's neuro, it's calm and still. And about 8 patients tried to pet my stomach. I hate random people touching me.
"You don't need neuro time," Teddy said, "just general and plastics. Did you talk to Jackson? You only have a couple more shifts. Patients did that to me with Allison. They think they're connecting to you, it makes them feel better."
"I hate plastics," Annie said.
"Talk to Jackson, you need like 2 hours of plastics," Teddy said, "one breast enhancement or nose job."
"Who wants the pregnant whale to do their boob job," Annie asked, "I have no sparkle. If I do it's just sweat."
Teddy sighed, "I remember this feeling. You're almost there sweetheart ten more days."
"If she's on time," Annie said.
Teddy replied, "she'll come when she's ready. You need to let nature take its course."
Annie started to cry.
Teddy asked, "what's wrong?"
"I guess I always thought I'd have my mom when I had my first baby. My baby is supposed to have three grandmas because I'm supposed to have two moms. Then I got my hopes up when Leslie and Dan showed up at the hospital but they weren't ready to hear my side. She does all the social niceties but isn't actually there for me, she doesn't text me back or answer my calls," Annie cried.
Teddy put her arm around Annie's shoulders, "you can still call them if you want."
Annie sobbed, "I can't. They still don't see me. They want me to be the person I was when I went to Boston. I'm not that kid anymore."
Teddy replied, "I know it hurts sweetheart. You wanted them to accept you for who you are now. They have their little Annie in their mind they haven't gotten to know you as an adult yet."
"They don't want to," Annie cried, "I want them to be here for me and for her but they don't try. They put on the show but they don't mean it. Why can't they see me?"
"I don't know baby girl," Teddy soothed, "I wish I had an answer for you."
"Why won't they try," Annie asked, "what's wrong with me?"
"There's nothing wrong with you. These are their choices," Teddy said.
Annie sobbed, "I just want them to love me. Why can't they love me."
"They do sweetheart, they just suck at showing it," Teddy comforted.
"How do I make them love me," Annie bawled.
"You're alright just breathe ," Teddy, "you're tired aren't you."
"I'm tired, I look like a whale, everything hurts and I want them to love me," Annie whined.
Teddy soothed, "let it all out."
Annie continued, "I'm jealous that Josh and Jenna, my husband and best friend got to fly to Olympia to recover a heart, liver and lungs this afternoon for the big transplant with Grey and Yang and I couldn't go because I can't fly. And when I offered to scrub in they told me no but Josh gets to."
Teddy kept soothing, "sweetheart your body can't handle a transplant surgery right now it wouldn't be good for monkey. I'm sure it was Meredith who said no. She understands and agrees with me that you're doing too much."
"I can do it," Annie said stubbornly.
Teddy asked, "without Braxton Hicks?"
"No," Annie admitted.
Teddy sighed , "that's a sign you're doing too much. Let's find some easy things to get your hours in in the next few days. It's only a few hours you just need 10 more and most of it is general. Three more days at work sweetheart you're almost there. Bailey has a couple gallbladders tomorrow I can put you on."
Annie nodded.
"Ouch," Annie blurted, "not the ribs Ellie not the ribs."
Teddy's eyes widened, "Ellie?"
"Shit," Annie said, "you weren't supposed to know what we call her. "
Teddy put one hand on Annie's bump, "hi baby Ellie it's grandma. I'm so excited to meet you. Can you be nice to your mommy and stop kicking her in the ribs that hurts your mommy. grandma loves you so much and I can't wait to cuddle you. See you soon Ellie."
Annie giggled, "mama your losing it. Only Josh and I talk to her like that."
Teddy asked, " what's the rest of the name? Ellie is her nickname?"
"Not telling," Annie said, "and you can't tell anyone what you know. Not even uncle Owen. "
"I won't ," Teddy promised.
Annie replied, "I'm serious. Just like you're the only one who knows that we didn't think I would get pregnant the first month we didn't use birth control. That we weren't even trying yet. I had only just gotten the IUD taken out. Carina said with the other factors and my thyroid it could take a year. I hadn't even had a period yet. That's why I didn't know until I was almost 7 weeks."
Teddy replied, "I'm a vault."
Annie asked, "how can we make sure she comes out on time?"
Teddy replied, "keep walking and moving, take care of yourself. Rest and relax, eat what you want. Josh should be spoiling you, lazy mornings in bed, cuddle, massages, reading in the hammock if it's warm enough, slow walks on the beach or by the stream, go get a pedicure. Just be together, calm, relaxed and happy. Enjoy the time just the two of you. Have a romantic night at home, go wander Pike Place, go to your favorite restaurant. Do the things I wish we had done in the weeks before Allison was born. Take time to be a couple. It's the last time you'll be just the two of you for a while. Enjoy being together. Enjoy the last few days of her kicking and twisting, the baby hiccups. Just relax and enjoy the little things. Cuddle on the couch, have a bubble bath. It's the last time you can ask him to massage your feet and he can't say no."
Annie replied, " I want him home tonight. I don't sleep the same without him. And the baby thinks bedtime is a good time to dance. Somehow him talking to her and putting his hand where she is settles her and she calms down. "
Teddy asked, "are you sleeping?"
Annie replied, "when I don't have to pee and she keeps her feet and elbows off a vital organ. Mama do you think I can do this naturally?"
Teddy nodded, "I think you can. Try and if it's too much you demand pain meds. Josh will advocate for you. You've got this little bear."
"Hello," Meghan called from the entry.
"Living room," Teddy replied, "Annie had a tough day."
Meghan joined them, "I know. I was part of it. I saw the patient thrashing and kicking at everything and was afraid he would hurt Annie."
"Meg I can handle it," Annie said.
Meghan shook her head, "normally but not 38 weeks pregnant. Annie you need to slow down. I kept you out of the OR because you looked tired and uncomfortable. You kept rubbing your lower back."
Annie rolled her eyes, "she's getting big, she's heavy. My back just gets tight. I need her out."
Teddy reassured, "ten days . Only a couple more surgeries. "
Meghan asked, "what do you need?"
"One plastic, 3 or 4 general," Annie replied.
"Bailey is sick so I took her scheduled surgeries tomorrow. 3 gall bladders, and a colectomy," Meghan said, "work with me. There's over an hour between each. You'll have time to eat and relax, put your feet up."
Annie laughed, "Time to go pee?"
Teddy nodded, "you will. Your general surgeries will be done. You just need to finish plastics. I'll talk to Avery and put you on his service for Friday then you're done."
Annie rolled her eyes, "I have no sparkle. Avery doesn't want me."
Teddy smiled, "he's also a parent. I heard he was very sweet with April when she had Harriet."
Meghan smiled, "that's solved then you have what 5-6 days at home before baby."
Annie nodded, "I may need it. Dr Yang is getting annoyed with me being slow and emotional. I can't help if I meet these parents and I think what if it was my baby. She doesn't have a heart sometimes."
Teddy laughed, "Yang lives to cut and research. You get more softness from her then the other residents."
Meghan added, "how did my brother marry her?"
Annie laughed, "he spent a lot of time with mama and I. The summer my sister attacked me, the hospital staff assumed he was my stepfather."
Meghan asked, "how old were you?"
"Annie was 19," Teddy said, "so I would have been 40 that summer. How is it that I'm an old mom and a young grandma at the same time."
Annie laughed, "having your oldest at 21 helped. Then not having Alison until I was 25. I'm 29 it's not like I'm too young for this."
Teddy smiled, "I know. I never would have pictured this for myself. I always wanted it deep down but was afraid to let myself have it and be loved. That was hard to learn. "
Annie pointed out, "you let Henry love you, he showed you it was okay to love someone, let someone love you and want this."
Teddy smiled, "he was one of the best things that happened to me. He would have been proud of you kiddo. He loved you."
Annie teared up, "no ones called me that since Henry passed. He would be happy for you mama."
Teddy smiled, " I know that was his name for you. He'd be happy for you two."
Meghan looked confused. She knew Henry had existed but didn't fully understand how important he had been to Teddy's story or how he had impacted Annie's.
Annie grabbed Teddy's hand," mama she's getting really strong, feel this."
"Can I feel," asked Meghan. Meghan had wanted to feel her great niece kicking but knew how much Annie hated being touched. Annie had rarely let anyone other than Josh or Teddy touch her.
"Go for it," Annie said and pointed to where the baby was kicking.
"She is strong," Megan said.
"I think we have another highland dancer," Annie smiled.
"We'll save the National for her," Meghan said.
"Her or Allison whoever it fits," Annie said.
"How is it that my baby is having a baby and Allison goes to pre K," Teddy asked.
"We're starting to look at colleges with Faroke," Meghan said.
"What does he want to study," Annie asked.
"He's really interested in geography," Meghan said, "I actually wanted to talk to you. He's found a program he's interested in at UBC. But it's a couple years off and admission requirements are different."
"I did a geography minor at UBC," Annie said, "I loved my time there. I'd have to look at the entrance requirements. But there were different rules for B.C., Canadian or international students. UBC has a lot of international students."
"Would you want to come with us later this summer and look around," Meghan asked.
"I'll talk to Josh," Annie said, "I've never shown him the campus. It's beautiful."
"There's a hotel on campus we were thinking of spending the night at," Meghan said.
"In Salish," Annie said, "I spent 3 years in one of the other Salish towers."
"Those were nice units," Teddy agreed, "I liked going up to visit you. Was it six girls in your unit with a shared kitchen and two bathrooms."
"We all had our own bedrooms," Annie said, "it was fun. There was the time we all beat you badly at Carcassonne."
"I hate that game," Teddy said.
"I'll have to play with Faroke soon," Annie said.
"What else should we know about UBC," Meghan asked.
"The engineers are the party boys of the school, the Pit Pub was the best place to go for a drink and to dance, Wreck Beach is clothing optional, I didn't like Wreck Beach, campus is pedestrian only for the most part, the good Tim Horton was in the business school building and the best place to study was in the reading room of the old library it kind of looks like Hogwarts," Annie said.
"I met you for the first time in that library," Teddy said, "almost eleven years ago."
"I was just 19," Annie said.
At the hospital Josh leapt out of the helicopter with the cooler containing the liver, he was working with Dr Grey on the liver transplant portion.
He ran to the surgical floor and passed off the cooler so he could scrub in. Before entering the scrub room he took a moment to call Annie.
Annie picked up in the first ring, "are you back at Grey Sloan?"
"I am," Josh replied, "I have to scrub in with Dr Grey on the transplant. Where are you? I hear your mama and Auntie Meg."
"I'm at Mama's," Annie replied, "Evelyn is coming for dinner and Meghan came by. Nathan and Faroke are at basketball. When will you be done?"
Josh replied, "I'm going to ask Dr Grey if I can go as soon as our part is finished."
Annie replied, "don't rush. I'm going to eat here, read with Allison , spend some time with mama then go home to bed. Monkey is really active today. I let Mama and Meg feel how strong she's getting."
"Is Allison making you feel guilty for not playing with her," Josh asked.
Annie replied, "not picking her up and spinning her around. But I promised I would read to her before she goes to bed. I do the voices Mama and Uncle Owen don't. Ali and Leo are with us Saturday night. I told her you could spin her around then."
Josh smiled, "read to your sister then. A couple weeks and you'll be reading to ours."
Annie replied, "lots of stories so she talks sooner and learns language."
"You just like to read and want to brainwash our monkey from day one," Josh teased.
Annie laughed, "okay I may have had fun picking out picture books and board books."
Josh laughed, "we have too many of your books as it is."
"Never enough books," Annie replied, "I only have two days left at work then I'm going to lay in the hammock and read while you're at work."
Josh said, "I have to scrub. I'll see you at home babe. Take care of the monkey. I love you."
Annie replied, "love you two. I'll probably be asleep when you get home."
Teddy asked, "do you have the energy to help me finish dinner? Owen and the kids should be back soon."
Annie replied, "I'm not a china doll I can help."
Teddy laughed, "your not. I just want to take care of you."
"Mama enough," Annie said.
Teddy replied, "it's my job as your mama. I get to fret and worry. Just you wait your heart is about to be pulled out of your body into your daughters. You will think about her nonstop for the rest of your life."
Annie replied, "already do."
Meghan asked, "how are you feeling Annie?"
Annie replied, "I'm good. Tired of waddling and my hips feel weird but I'm good. I want to hold her but I'm scared because I know she's safe and close now."
Teddy replied, "welcome to being a mom."
They were finishing up making dinner when Owen returned with the kids and Evelyn.
Allison ran into the kitchen and hopped up to sit on a stool at the island, "Annie can I have a hug now?"
Annie stood beside her, "now you can. I can reach you."
"Hi baby," Allison said to Annie's stomach before standing up to hug her big sister.
Annie smiled and kissed the top of her baby sister's head, "excited Ali bean?"
Allison beamed, "can I feed her like my doll."
"When she's bigger," Annie said, "but with me, Josh, mama or daddy helping you can hold her. She needs a big girl to teach her things."
Owen came in, "Teddy how can I help?"
Teddy replied, "Annie and Meghan are helping, can you set the table?"
Owen replied, "I'll supervise. Leo and Allison can set the table."
Evelyn walked into the kitchen, "there's my girls."
There was a chorus of greetings and a round of hugs.
Evelyn started, "Annie shouldn't you be."
Meghan cut her off, "mom we're not going there. She already got mad at me for keeping her out of the pit and OR today."
Evelyn shook her head, "surgeons you don't know when to slow down."
Teddy smiled, "I know when to force others to. By not putting them on the call schedule."
Annie rolled her eyes, "only me."
Teddy replied, "I'm going to start doing this with others on staff as it comes up. It just took seeing you trying to do it all for me to understand the importance."
They finished up making dinner and took it to the dining room table. Only their family would do dinner together on a Wednesday around the surgeon's call schedules. Everyone had gathered around the table and was enjoying being together.
Annie followed Teddy up to help get the littles ready for bed.
"I left the book in my purse," Annie groaned.
"What book," Teddy asked.
"Another one to go in the set I've been working on," Annie replied.
"What's the topic," Teddy asked, "why is it here?"
"Trial audience," Annie replied, "and it answers Allison's question from before dinner."
"Can I look first," Teddy asked.
"You can but the illustrations suck it's just photos from the internet or that we took with our phones," Annie explained.
Teddy asked, "where is it?"
Annie replied, "in my purse I dropped it on the hall table when I kicked off my shoes. It's just printer paper with cardstock covers half sheet size."
Teddy walked down the stairs to the entryway and found Annie's shoes kicked in opposite directions; she shook her head and picked up the teal flats, placing them side by side next to the hall table so Annie could just slide her feet in later. Annie's preppy, feminine style had really suited her the last few months with her dresses and flats. Teddy also knew that Annie hated most of the pant options she had, feeling like nothing fit right or was flattering. Teddy found the book and flipped through it. It showed pictures of the hospital rooms a mom could be in and had a picture of Carina holding a baby doll. Annie had even convinced Alex to be part of the project, showing pictures of him bathing a doll.
Teddy brought the book to Annie, "you did well with that. Did you do it just for them?"
Annie nodded, "it's just for them that's why there's so many people from our hospital."
Teddy opened the book and pointed to a picture, "that one shows your scar that's not like you to show it to anyone."
"It's pretty stretched which I'm not thrilled about but that's life," Annie said, "should I not have used that one? It's one that Josh took to show how big the baby's getting. My hair looked really good in it."
"It's good sweetheart this is really good," Teddy replied, "but can I keep it and Owen and I will read it to them when the baby comes? If they ask more questions?"
Annie nodded, "that makes sense."
"There's another one on my dresser that I found for you and your little girl that you can read to your siblings tonight," Teddy said, "try not to cry."
"That means I'm going to cry doesn't it," Annie laughed.
"Maybe," Teddy smirked, "where do you want to sit for story time?"
"Maybe Allison's bed," Annie suggested, "or the couch."
"Let's go to the couch," Teddy suggested thinking of the one on the landing where she often read to the kids.
"Where's the book," Annie asked.
"You sit," Teddy directed, "I'll go get it."
Annie called Allison and Leo over and they sat on either side of her and curled against their big sister. Teddy handed Annie the book and perched on the arm of the couch to listen.
Closing the book Annie hugged Allison and Leo, "this is probably the last time we do story time just the three of us. Next time we get to cuddle for a story we'll have another little girl. How am I going to hold three of you at once for a story and the book?"
"I can hold the book," Leo said, "and you can hold all of us."
"We'll have to try that this summer when we go to the cabin for the Fourth of July and Canada day," Annie smiled.
Teddy suggested, "if you sit your baby in your lap with her back to your stomach it may work to cuddle all three or the baby can have grandma cuddles."
"Mama this is for me, bean, lion and monkey," Annie smiled.
"Bean and Lion it's bedtime," Teddy said, "it's already half an hour past your bedtime I'll come give you each a hug and daddy will come say goodnight in a minute. Annie do you have time for tea before you go home or are you completely exhausted?"
"Tea would be good. I'll go start the kettle," Annie replied, "but first I need good night hugs before I get up."
"I love you Nee," Allison said, hugging and kissing Annie's cheek.
Annie kissed the top of Allison's head, "love you too miss bean."
"Night night Annie," Leo said, throwing his arms around Annie's neck.
"Good night lion man love you," Annie said, hugging Leo tight.
Teddy went to tuck the little two in and Annie went down stairs to find that Meghan was making tea for everyone.
"Annie come sit with me," Owen called.
"Coming," Annie replied, waddling to the living room and taking a seat.