Ellie was 10 days late and Annie was getting frustrated and anxious. She was tired of being pregnant , short tempered and uncomfortable. Josh was getting worried because she was getting more irritable and anxious by the day. Josh was also anxious because Annie was petite and the more the baby grew the harder it would be for her. They were really hoping things would start on their own and Annie wouldn't have to be induced. They had been told that if things didn't start by Monday morning Carina would do the induction. They were trying everything they could think of and Carina suggested to get things moving on their own. With Josh still in surgery Annie decided to text Teddy.

Annie, "I'm bored."

Teddy, "go for a walk?"

Annie," I've had two waddles today. I even did the beach steps four times."

Teddy, "house work?"

Annie, "done and laundry."

Teddy, "what do you want to do?"

Annie, "work, cut, operate."

Teddy, "can't help you with that. You heard Carina 2 weeks ago. Your body can't handle being on your feet that much."

Annie, "I can't handle still being pregnant. She's almost two weeks late. Maybe if I was working instead of sitting at home she would be out."

Teddy, "it'll happen when it happens."

Annie, "the clock is ticking. If I don't go into labour by Monday Carina will induce me and you know what that leads to."

Teddy, "have you tried walking?"

Annie, "I go for long waddles all it does is make my pelvis hurt."

Teddy, "did you ask carina?"

Annie, "we've done everything but the last item on her list and I'm too big, ugly and tired for that."

Teddy, "try the list again. Anything different today?"

Annie, "she's not at my ribs anymore."

Teddy, "that's good. You can always come in and Carina can do an ultrasound and see where your baby is at. Meghan is home text her and see if she'll drive you."

Annie, "I won't bug her. Maybe we'll go tomorrow and check things out if nothing happens overnight."

Teddy, "it's only 3:30 josh is here until 8:30. Tell Meghan you want her company."

Annie, "I've texted Cassidy and Jenna. But I don't know if they have today off or not."

Teddy, "Jenna is here. I haven't seen Cassidy."

Annie, "I'll leave it then. I can keep studying."

Teddy, "go give it a couple hours then relax. I'll send Josh home if I can. I'll see what Owen says."

Annie, "he's over 80 hours this week."

Teddy, "once he's out of the or I'll send him home."

Annie, "thanks mama. We'll see you tomorrow at some point. I don't know how much longer I can do this."

Teddy, "I know sweetheart I waited for you and it was brutal. Do you want me to come by when I get out of here?"

Annie, "what time are you off?"

Teddy, "I'm not operating today. I don't have my resident anymore and don't feel like training someone right now."

Annie, "I'll be your fellow soon enough you need a new resident."

Teddy, "who they're not you. I've had two excellent residents in my career."

Annie, "me and Christian."

Teddy, "yep."

Annie, "find a new one. Try Kira Eaket or Tyson George had promise."

Teddy, "you got them started?"

Annie, "passed them off to Josh."

Teddy, "what are you doing?"

Annie, "trying to reason with the tiny human that it's time for her to come out."

Teddy, "good luck. I tried to do that to you. You stayed another two days."

Annie, "you're not helping me. Productive solutions only."

Teddy, "walk, move, stop stressing."

Annie, "I can't do this anymore. It's too much."

Teddy, "you can. Annie I know you're worn out and frustrated. How can I help you?"

Annie, "get her out. Mama I can't keep going like this. I'm tired, frustrated and the cramps are starting to hurt."

Teddy, "I know baby girl. Do you want me to come after work? Bring dinner for you and Josh?"

Annie, "Josh is grabbing take out."

Teddy, "have you thought of telling Carina you've had enough?"

Annie, "I don't want to start that ball rolling."

Teddy, "Monday at the latest. You're okay. Try to relax sweetheart. Take your book and a cup of tea outside and try to get comfortable in the hammock and relax."

Annie, "someone's here. I heard a car in the driveway."

Teddy, "I think I know who. Have fun, relax and stop worrying."

There was a knock at the door and Annie waddled to answer it. Cassidy stood on the other side with a bag in her hand.

"Cassidy I didn't know you were coming," Annie said.

Cassidy laughed, "I was off today and got your sos."

"Sos," Annie asked.

"I'm bored and still pregnant, help me," Cassidy laughed, "so I bought a couple treats and my flashcards."

"You're amazing," Annie replied, "do you want something to drink?"

"Just water or whatever you're having," Cassidy replied.

"Water," Annie replied, she filled two glasses and passed one to Cassidy.

"Thanks," Cassidy replied, "how are you doing?"

"Bored, anxious and I think I'm sitting on her head," Annie said.

Cassidy smiled, "that's good. Annie she's getting in position. It looks like she's dropped. Do you want me to check where she is?"

Annie asked, "without the ultrasound?"

Cassidy replied, "I can feel if you want me to but I know you hate being touched unless it's Josh."

Annie nodded, "just be fast. Save me finding someone to drive me to the hospital to get it checked. I have a feeling if I show my face there Josh will panic and someone will try to pin me down and give me pitocin."

"Probably," Cassidy replied, "has Carina said how long she'll let you go?"

"Monday," Annie replied, "we're already 10 days after her due date. But we don't have an accurate last period so as long as the baby looks good which she did yesterday Carina was okay with me going to Monday."

"How do you not know when your last period was," Cassidy asked.

"First try," Annie laughed, "I had just gotten my IUD taken out. We were supposed to be using condoms until I got my period but haven't used that since we got engaged so in the heat of the moment in an on call room we forgot once."

"You were trying," Cassidy asked.

"We were starting to. Our plan was to let nature do its thing," Annie replied, "if it happened it happened. We thought it would take a few months."

Cassidy asked, "that's news. People have been wondering if you planned it or not. Do you want me to check you out see where you're at?"

"Feel where the baby is and that's it," Annie replied, " if you're working Monday you don't get to come in until Josh and I tell everyone she's here and my parents have seen her."

"Which parents," Cassidy questioned.

"Mama and uncle Owen," Annie replied, "Leslie and Dan will get a she's here text with her name and a photo."

Cassidy asked, "what happened with them. I've never understood why they adopted you then let you walk away."

Annie sighed, " their biological daughter is what happened. Maybe if I had chosen something more acceptable in their circles like nursing or teaching I could have stayed but medical school and moving across the continent wasn't okay. Having a mother I didn't have to share with Jessica, a mother who listened to me and valued my opinions and goals didn't work for my sister. She wanted to control and mama doesn't let people control her. The only people Jessica couldn't manipulate to see the worst in me were mama uncle Owen and Henry. Things are a thousand times better than before after we saved Jessica but it's going to take me time to fully trust all of them. Jessica still calls me a whore and doesn't believe I'm married because she wasn't there. Mom and dad will come down after she's born. I've asked them to give us some space to bond."

Cassidy said, "do you want me to look or forget about it?"

"Quick just feel for the baby," Annie replied, "my pants are staying on."

Cassidy motioned first Annie to lay on the couch she gently felt Annie's bump before saying, "not long now she's where she needs to be. She's in a perfect position now. Things should start happening soon. I'd say in the next 24 hours you'll start to feel something. "

As Cassidy finished speaking she felt Annie's bump tighten under her hands.

"How often is that happening," Cassidy asked.

"Every half hour or so sometimes more often. It's been happening for two days. I talked to Carina. She said it's just practice," Annie replied.

"Does it hurt," Cassidy asked.

"It's starting to but It feels weird," Annie explained, "it doesn't always hurt but I notice it and have to stop what I'm doing or it wakes me up at night. My whole body is being weird right now. It's all good. All things that mean she's coming."

"If you're okay," Cassidy said, "there's nothing we can really do right now. But you shouldn't be alone because you'll go into labor any time. Those cramps could easily be early labour. "

"It's Josh's last shift. He hasn't been doing nights and I'm sick of mama, Meghan and Evelyn babysitting me. I told Evelyn I was fine here today," Annie replied sitting up slowly.

"I'll stay until Josh gets home," Cassidy replied, "I can drive you in if things start happening but you have to tell me what you're feeling."

"Are you sure," Annie asked, "I appreciate the company. We'll have time for Josh to come Home our plan is to stay here until my water breaks and it's fully active labor."

"Of course I am," Cassidy smiled, "I miss seeing you every day. Let's study for a bit then go for a walk if your up to it."

"For sure study," Annie said, "my walk earlier made my pelvis feel terrible."

"Study then we'll decide," Cassidy replied.

"Where do you want to study," Annie asked.

"Where are you more comfortable," Cassidy asked.

"Outside," Annie replied, "I like the fresh air."

"Let's go out there then," Cassidy agreed, she had spent lots of summer evenings in the backyard here. Bonfires, bbqs, dancing on the grass, Annie and Josh often hosted being the only ones in their group with an actual house and yard they became the gathering point. This had been where their friends had gathered right from the beginning of intern year.

On the patio Annie put her water and the plate of fresh fruit on the table before waddling back to the coffee table for her flashcards. She rolled the exercise ball she liked sitting on outside.

"Carina has you sitting on the ball," Cassidy asked.

"She suggested an hour a day but it's what I'm more comfortable with right now so it's outside instead of a chair," Annie replied, "I'll do anything to get her out. Except the last thing on carinas list."

"Most women don't go for that," Cassidy laughed, "I don't even tell most mothers. Carina thinks I should but people find it uncomfortable. I'm glad I'm staying for my fellowship with her and Robbins."

"Arizona is awesome," Annie replied.

"She is. You're working with Karev and Riggs sr ," Cassidy said.

"I am but I've been home for like two weeks," Annie said, "what's the hospital gossip?"

"Duncan's girlfriend came in with her kid for an emergency appy yesterday," Cassidy said, "she seemed weird. "

"I've met Shawna and her son. I'm not a fan. She seems like a gold digger," Annie replied.

"Jeremy and some intern were in a supply closet and the sound I heard," Cassidy said.

Annie laughed, "the redhead?"

Cassidy nodded. They continued talking about the hospital. Cassidy told her the things Josh didn't share like gossip and what was going on with her interns and jr residents. Eventually they took out their flashcards and quizzed each other.

Cassidy left when Josh got home. Josh had brought Thai home for dinner being too tired to cook himself and knowing Annie hadn't felt like cooking all week. Annie hugged Cassidy goodbye promising to let her know when the baby arrived.

It was Friday night and Josh had convinced Annie that they should curl up and watch movies in their pajamas. He thought she needed to just relax. They decided to watch on the tv in their room so they could be cozy in bed. Josh sat back against the pillows and Annie sat between his legs leaning against him with her head on his shoulder. He had one hand slowly rubbing her arm and they both had a hand resting on her stomach feeling Ellie kick and wiggle.

Annie said, "she's got to come soon something feels different."

Josh replied, "any time now. Stop thinking about it. The more you think about it the longer it'll feel."

Annie said, "she's not right at my ribs she's dropped she's in my pelvis now. It feels really different. Cassidy said she was in position when she came over this afternoon. She thought any time in the next 24 hours. I really don't want to be induced. "

"We'll do everything we can to get it moving," Josh said, "I'm off now. Tomorrow we'll go for a walk and try the beach steps a few times to see if that helps."

"I did that today ," Anniewhined , "there's one other thing Carina mentioned but I'm too fat and tired tonight. Maybe in the morning. We had spicy food for dinner that's supposed to help."

"Let's relax tonight and stop worrying," Josh said, "think about something else. She won't come to a stressed out mommy. She needs you to relax babe. Would it help if I massaged your back?"

"Yes," Annie said.

Annie scooted and leaned forward, for Josh to massage her back.

Josh massaged her back starting near her hips where he knew the muscles were the tightest. He could see her body relaxing as he massaged. Josh massaged her back and shoulders before rubbing her stomach and sliding his hand lower. Annie moved his hand back to her stomach.

"Josh we're not going there," Annie whined, "I'm too tired, fat and ugly. I can't even see down there anymore."

"You are gorgeous," Josh said kissing Annie's neck. He knew that spot always got her attention.

"No I'm a fat hormonal whale," Annie whined.

"Never," Josh promised, "you are always gorgeous."

"I just want Ellie out and to meet her," Annie whined.

"Carina said there's one more thing we haven't tried to help start things," Josh said, "we can do as much or as little as you want. You tell me what's making you feel better. What would feel good right now?"

Annie asked, "can you keep massaging my back and hips like you were and maybe kiss me?"

"I can do that, why don't you lay down," Josh said. He helped her lay on her side so he could massage her. Eventually he started kissing her, her lips, then her neck and shoulders making his way lower, across her collarbone and down to her now swollen breasts. They made out for a while letting hands wander under clothing and lips explore each other. Annie let Josh's hands wander a little lower then she had earlier, letting him touch all the most sensitive places. He heard the sounds she was making and knew she was close; he felt the same with what her hands were doing to him.

"That feels good. Don't stop," Annie panted.

"Keep going," Josh grunted.

"Keep touching me," Annie moaned, she knew she was close and she wanted the release.

"Don't stop," Josh begged.

"That feels amazing don't stop," Annie begged

They hadn't played with just hands under clothes in years. It was fun and different and tonight it was exactly what they needed. Annie was feeling shy about her body but Josh was making her feel loved and attractive. When they had both finished Annie curled into Josh and sighed contentedly.

"That felt great. I needed that," Annie whispered.

Josh whispered , "we both needed that. What do you want to watch? Or do you want to go to sleep?"

Annie replied, "I'm tired but not ready for sleep yet. I just want you to hold me while we watch something, I have mama's password for Disney plus."

Josh smiled, "the lion king? That was my favorite as a kid."

Annie laughed, "only if I can sing along."

Josh laughed, "then I have to sing"

"I guess we're having a sing along with Popcorn," Annie said.

"In bed," Josh looked skeptical.

"Yes," Annie replied , "and apple juice."

Josh laughed, "you and your apple juice. Do you want the whole carton?"

Annie replied, "just a water bottle full."

"I'll be right back," Josh said. He walked to the kitchen and poured popcorn kernels in the popper and waited for them to pop. He filled a water bottle with apple juice for Annie and water for himself. He took the water bottles back to the bedroom.

"Thanks babe," Annie said, before taking a drink of her juice. She had piled most of the pillows and throw cushions behind her back.

Josh came back with the bowl of popcorn then sat back against the pillows. He put the bowl on his lap so they could both reach. Annie pressed play on the movie and began singing along with the circle of life.

They finished the Lion King and started another movie. Half way through Flubber, Josh noticed Annie was asleep. He put the popcorn bowl and water bottles on his nightstand and turned off the tv.