Chris had called off his wedding after finding out Becky, his fiancé, was cheating on him while he was deployed. He knew Annie was home and on maternity leave. She had already told him that she had passed her boards but hadn't had a chance to come to Edmonton to see him. She was supposed to come in two weeks with Josh and baby Ellie. Chris packed a bag and threw it in his truck. He also grabbed the little red wagon he had planned to give to little Ellie when they came up to visit. He knew it was a strange gift for a baby but thought Ellie and any other kids Annie chose to have would get years of use out of it and it would be perfect for family days at the park or beach. Chris had been enjoying the daily photos his sister was sending of Ellie. He knew Annie was overjoyed to have her baby girl and he was excited to finally meet the baby. He had been pleasantly surprised to get the photos of their dad with Ellie, he knew the three of them needed to talk soon.
Climbing in his truck Chris sent Josh a text that he would be there early the next day to surprise Annie. He drove straight through from Edmonton to Seattle arriving ahead of the predicted 18 hours. It was about 3am when he arrived. Chris was going to sleep in his truck when he saw that the kitchen light was on and someone was moving inside. He knocked softly on the door.
Annie, who was up getting water, saw the motion sensor lights and looked out the window by the front door.
She threw the door open, "Chris what are you doing here? It's 3am."
Chris replied, "Becky and I are done. I needed to see you and meet my niece."
Josh came out of the bedroom in his boxers, "Annie what's going on?"
Annie replied, "Chris is here, he just showed up."
Suddenly a soft cry filled the house.
"I'll get her," Josh said, "and some pants."
Chris apologized, "I didn't mean to wake anyone or make Ellie cry."
"It's about time for her to be fed. I woke up before her and was grabbing water," Annie said.
"Still I disturbed your night," Chris said, "I was planning to get here around 8."
Annie smiled, "your family you just come anytime. I'd hug you but I think I might have spit up on me somewhere. I just passed out after I fed her around 12:30."
Chris hugged his sister anyway.
Josh came back in a pair of sweats with a fussing baby, "it's not the diaper. Is there a bottle in the fridge?"
Annie shook her head, "you tried this morning and wasted it and I haven't been able to pump. She's been eating non stop today. She's probably going through a growth spurt."
Annie took the baby from Josh, "hush Ellie bug mommy's here. Are you hungry?"
Josh asked Chris, "do you mind the couch in the office again?"
"I like your office," Chris said.
Annie said, "I'll be back with blankets and pillows in a few minutes. She's hungry."
Josh replied, "sit with your brother I'll get the bedding."
Annie asked, "what times your first surgery tomorrow?"
"I'm in the pit at 7am," Josh replied, "With Auntie Meg."
"Go back to bed babe," Annie said, "your cutting people open tomorrow. My only plan is to walk with uncle Owen. He wants to talk to me."
"I'll bring the bedding out first," Josh replied.
"Can you grab her blanket," Annie asked.
Josh went into the master bedroom and brought out extra bedding. He saw that Annie was sitting in her rocking chair holding the baby. Josh brought Annie the soft pink baby blanket from Ellie's bassinet.
"Thanks honey," Annie said, she looked up at Josh and batted her eyelashes. Josh bent and gave her a quick kiss.
"Don't stay up too late," Josh said.
"I'll put her down when she settles," Annie said.
"You need sleep too," Josh reminded, "and more water. You can't get dehydrated again."
"That's why I was up," Annie said, "I wanted to refill my water bottle before she woke up and was hungry."
"I'll make sure she hydrates," Chris said.
"Annie are you okay if I go to bed," Josh asked.
"I'm okay I'll be in soon," Annie replied, "feed Ellie bug and talk to Chris I can multitask."
Chris asked, "can I hold her before you put her back to bed?"
Annie smiled, "of course but she won't go to anyone else until she eats. Do you mind if I sit here to feed her? I like this chair."
"It's your house," Chris said.
Annie replied, "we don't use formula. So you're clear."
Chris said, "I picked it up from your not pumping comment earlier."
Annie cooed, "okay Ellie bug are you hungry again? You've eaten almost all day today. I think we've been in our chair all day, mommy's watched a lot of Netflix today. Good thing I like Gilmore Girls and Once Upon a Time. "
"Is that okay," asked Chris.
"She's 6 weeks, it's just a growth spurt and Josh went back to work last week so we're adjusting to him not being home with us," Annie said, "we've been spoiling her. She's used to one of us holding her all day. I've had to have her in her swing or bassinet to get stuff done in the house the last few days. It's hard with Josh back at work. I miss having him home all day. It felt like being a normal couple."
"Annie are you happy," Chris asked.
Annie smiled at Ellie then at Chris, "I am. This is what I want. I don't know if I'll be ready to go back to work in 8 weeks. But mama was as generous as she could be and played with the start date on my fellowship so I could have 14 weeks with Ellie."
"Fellowship, I thought you were already a kids heart surgeon," Chris asked.
"I am but it's the last step to being a cardio goddess," Annie said, "I'm working with mama and Christina Yang, yes Uncle Owen's ex, on HLH patients and constructing heart chambers using 3D printing. In addition to all of the fellowship surgeries I have to do to get my final certification."
"Mad science stuff," Chris asked.
Annie nodded, "give me two seconds to get Ellie setup then you have my full attention."
Annie draped the soft baby blanket over her shoulder before slipping one strap of her tank top off. Ellie wasn't happy with being under the blanket.
"C I'm sorry she's just going to fight the blanket," Annie said, "she's used to seeing my face. I've only used the blanket with her a couple times because we were out and she hates it."
Chris rolled his eyes, "whatever is fine Ann. Your house, your baby and you've hardly got any lights on. I can hear you but just see your outline."
"She settles back to sleep better if we don't turn on a lot of lights on in the middle of the night," Annie said, "you can turn the lamp on. We're still working on learning the difference between day and night. If we keep it dark at night she'll learn slowly. It's getting better."
Once Ellie was settled Annie sat back in her chair and put her feet up on the foot stool.
"Why did you just show up at 3am," Annie asked, "I love you and am happy to see you but that's not like you."
Chris laid on the couch, "Becky cheated while I was deployed. I came back and she's pregnant and there's no way it's mine. I was gone 6 months and she's only 6 weeks. I hadn't seen Becky in six months. I got the week for Jessica but that was it, I came straight here and went straight back. I still don't know how I got that week."
"Not yours biologically impossible ," Annie said, "do you want me to talk to her and explain. I am a doctor. I'm glad you came for that week. We worked some good stuff out even if I'm still working things out with dad. I know how you got it. Mama knows your CO. She made it happen. She told him about the tumor and that she wasn't sure if Jessica would make it off the table."
"So I called the wedding off, threw some clothes in a bag and drove here," Chris said, "I texted Josh but asked him to make it a surprise for you. You're a heart surgeon not a lady doctor."
"3 am is quite the surprise," Annie said, "we all do an OB rotation but it's common sense. I'm a mom, I've been through it. Does she even know what type of surgeon I am?"
"I was planning on 18 hours, not 14. I was going to drive all night, find breakfast, then show up around 8 or 9," Chris said.
"What are you going to do," Annie asked.
"My contact is almost up and I know I'm almost 29 but I'm going to go back to school," Chris said, "I want to really get into medicine."
"Be glad you don't have student loans," Annie said, "med school was expensive. What are you going to study?"
"I love your emergency room stories but I could never do what you did. I'm not smart enough for 7 or 8 years of school then residency. Plus I'd be like 45 when I was done. I've applied to a 4 year bachelor of science in nursing program back in Vancouver. I'd like to work in the emergency room" Chris said, "I want to work in military hospitals but I need a change Annie. I need roots and to build a life."
"You could do advanced trauma certifications and with your medevac training it would be amazing," Annie suggested, "we need good trauma nurses and strong ones. I like having male nurses on my trauma team. I need their strength. Maybe you could observe trauma and cardio at Grey Sloan for a day or two, you can observe anything you want if we ask. C you have to be happy. It's time for you to let yourself be happy."
Chris looked shocked, "you can do that?"
"Mama is the chief of surgery," Annie said, "I can make it happen. We show up in her office and bribe her with baby cuddles. Pair you with Josh or Uncle Owen in Trauma, Uncle Nathan would be happy to have you in cardio or mama would."
"Baby cuddles," Chris asked.
"Mama loves Ellie cuddles," Annie replied. Annie smiled down at Ellie who was happily eating.
Chris asked, " how do you do it? I know what happened this spring with Jessica, mom and dad. How can you do that then be fine?"
"I wasn't," Annie admitted, "but I had to get it together for Ellie. She needed her mommy to be strong and healthy so I got the help I needed. I finally truly dealt with the trauma of our sister. Chris I have severe PTSD. From what happened with Jessica I'll always fight it. It's just my life."
Chris asked, "how did you do it?"
"Psychiatrist, clinical counselor, lots of very hormonal tears, a few walks to the beach or along the stream in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. I'm still talking to Cat and Shan. Dan texts me everyday now, he loves facetime to sing to Ellie. Grandmere has checked in daily since we told her about Ellie. Josh held me together, it was a hard few months. I could not have survived that without him. Josh is my rock when things are rough he's my first call when I rock a surgery or something goes well he's my first call. Josh is the person I want to see at the end of the day or wake up with in the morning. When I first thought I was pregnant he drew the blood for the blood test," Annie said, "then he got the papers from the lab and waited for me to read them."
"You found out at work," Chris sounded shocked, "your husband did the blood work isn't that weird."
"We work at a hospital. We practically lived there until I got pregnant . It's not weird. He drew the blood and ran it for me because I can't submit or pick up my own labs. I asked him to do it because I wanted to keep it between us until we knew. We read the lab paper together," Annie said , "in an on call room. You were one of the first to know only immediate family knew before I told people at Thanksgiving. I was afraid you would tell Dan and Leslie."
"I would never tell them about your stuff you asked me not to. It was hard not to show them your wedding pictures or tell them you were pregnant before they said something to me about it at the hospital . How did you get the worst of Jessica and mom and dad's denial and still come out on top," asked Chris.
"Mama, Uncle Owen, Josh, Meghan, Nathan, even Evelyn, Jenna, Julia, Cassidy, Stephanie, Duncan. I had people who wanted me to succeed and showed me how important and loved I was. They never asked me to change or to be different," Annie said, "mama and Henry flew to Boston when I thought my anxiety and eating disorder were out of control my first year of med school. They came to make me feel loved and safe no questions asked. It was the last time I saw Henry. If I ever have a little boy his middle names will be Henry and Owen."
"Do you talk to mom and dad," asked Chris.
"Things are going well with Dan, he's been down twice to see us and will come again in a week. He's aiming for every two weeks to come down and see us. Dan texts me everyday and we facetime every other day. He's been playing his violin for Ellie over facetime. I haven't heard a word from Leslie. She came to the shower and that's the last I saw her. Things with Dan are good since they split. I think Dan really wants to be there for us," Annie replied. Annie repositioned the baby so she could finish eating.
"Does that hurt," Chris asked, he was pointing at the baby and trying not to look at Annie.
Annie replied, "it's different I couldn't explain. The first couple weeks hurt but not now. I like spending time with her. I actually really like late night ones when Josh is asleep and it's just her and I. She's still in a bassinet beside me at night. I don't even have to get out of bed. Sorry 99% of my friends and family are doctors or surgeons of some sort. the human body doesn't bother any of us. If you're asking about Leslie and Jessica I put it behind me. I built a new life here for myself. I have a family here that I know stands behind me always."
Chris asked, "how do you do it? Go through what we did and be so positive?"
Annie smiled, "I'm not always. Do you remember med school? My first and second years of med school I ended up with an anxiety disorder. I still fight the anxiety daily. I have PTSD from the attacks that comes out as anxiety. I'm getting help though. I've talked a lot with mama, Owen and Meghan who have all seen a lot and dealt with their own trauma. My family understands and being able to be honest about it helps. I can be real with them. It was Meghan who helped me find the right counselor this spring. I still go once a week. We schedule it so my appointment is after Meghan's and the last three weeks she cuddled with Ellie for the hour. Meghan is the worst baby thief in the family ."
Chris asked, "why can't I be happy?"
Annie shook her head, "I don't know. I think you need a fresh start. Something and somewhere new. How long is your leave?"
"I have a month off," Chris replies.
"Stay with us," Annie said, "the office is yours. Spend the month here, relax and get a new perspective."
Chris replied," that would be great."
Annie smiled, "we haven't been in the same house for more than a week since high school. It will be good. Josh will be okay with it."
Annie knew that once Josh heard what was going on he would support Chris staying with them. Josh would never turn away family. She doubted Chris would spend the whole month, Dan was going up to the fishing camp for 10 days and Chris would want to go fishing. He would want to go catch up with old friends and see their grandparents. He would probably only stay a week or two to lick his wounds where he felt safe and supported.
Chris asked, "house rules?"
Annie laughed, "I don't do all the cooking. Whoever is home first cooks usually, right now that's me but you're here so we can take turns . We share house work. Josh and I just get things done. Whoever sees that it needs to be done does it. I do Josh, Ellie and my laundry because he can't do it right and tries to put my clothes in the dryer . I don't mow the lawn ever. Everything else is shared. It's the two of us and usually we work really weird schedules. Other than that no drugs or smoking in the house or yard. And Ellie gets picked up as soon as she cries or fusses. If you want to pick her up and snuggle her do so at any time but if you wake a sleeping baby you get her back to sleep."
Chris asked, "so be a decent human?"
"Exactly its common sense," Annie said, " What have Leslie and Dan said about me?"
Chris paused, "Leslie and Jessica are confused. They thought they could manipulate you to see things and do it their way. Mom and dad getting a divorce though Ann what do we do?"
"We don't get in the middle of them," Annie said, "you talk to both. I'm going to keep working things out with Dan. I can't call him dad anymore he hasn't earned it. 37 years of marriage to call it quits now. Has Dan said why?"
"Us," Chris admitted, "he wants to know us and be in our lives. He's sick of mom and Jessica's manipulation and games. He wants to be happy."
"He cant call 40 years together quits because of us," Annie said.
"It's not just us," Chris said, "dad wants to be happy. He hasn't been happy since we were living at home. I think this could be good."
"I want them to be happy," Annie agreed, "it just sucks that it came to that. Why couldn't they work it out?"
"Mom is too blinded by Jessica," Chris said, "dad said being here actually seeing you and getting to know you again it made him think."
"He said he's done a lot of thinking," Annie agreed, "sanding and thinking."
"Sanding your chair," Chris said.
"It's the one I always pictured it's similar to the story chair growing up," Annie said, "he made it for me and for Ellie."
"We'll talk to dad when it's not the middle of the night," Chris said, "work this out. Figure out how we move forward."
Annie smiled, "we will. C do you want to come hold your niece? She's almost asleep."
"Do you want me to," asked Chris, " I've been looking forward to holding her and meeting Ellie. But I don't want to bug her in the middle of the night. "
Annie nodded, "you haven't held her yet. Come on she's warm, snuggly, almost asleep and milk drunk. Best time for baby cuddles. You're the first person other than Josh and I to hold her in the middle of the night."
"I can't hurt her," Chris asked.
"Not at all," Annie said, "just watch her head. She'll snuggle into you; she likes to be held close to your heart."
Chris sat on the stool by Annie's chair and held out his arms. Annie gently handed the baby to her brother.
"Ellie bug this is your uncle Chris he's mommy's oldest brother. He's your grown up uncle," Annie said.
"Hi little Ellie," Chris whispered, "Annie she's amazing."
"She is," Annie agreed.
They sat in silence for a while looking at Ellie
Ellie brought her little hands up to her face and wiggled.
"What's she doing," Chris asked.
"Falling asleep," Annie replied, "she always sleeps like that, hands to her chin and a little wiggle before she settles. Even before she was born she did that little bottom wiggle before she settled."
"She's asleep," asked Chris.
Annie smiled, "she is. I should put her back to bed soon."
Chris replied, "I'll let you sleep. See you in the morning.
"Good night," Annie said. She took Ellie back and walked into the bedroom.
Owen knocked on the door at 10 am he was looking forward to spending time with Annie and baby Ellie.
Annie opened the door, "uncle Owen come in."
"Hi Annie," Owen replied, "when did Chris get here?"
"He drove through the night and got here at 3am. Luckily I was up with Ellie," Annie replied, "how did you know he was here?"
"I saw his truck. It's obvious, Alberta plates, Canadian Air Force stickers in the back window," Owen replied, "do you still want to go for our walk?"
"Yes," Annie responded, "he needs some time and space to sort some personal stuff out. He ended it with Becky. Do you want to go now?"
"I'm ready when you are," Owen said.
Annie smiled, "just need to finish getting Ellie ready and to figure out the baby backpack and her carrier not getting tangled."
"I'll take the diaper bag," Owen said, "where is it?"
"On the bench behind you," Annie replied, "I need to go get Ellie from my brother who is being a baby hog."
"Not a baby hog," Chris said, "just getting to know my niece. She's pretty cute."
"Hello Chris," Owen greeted.
"Hello sir," Chris replied. He always gave one formal greeting when he first saw Teddy and Owen then relaxed for the rest of the visit.
"Chris again not at work," Owen laughed, "I'm just coming to see my granddaughter."
Owen picked Ellie up from where she was having tummy time on a blanket. Ellie waved her arms. Chris had been sitting beside her on the blanket showing Ellie her toys.
"Hello baby Ellie," Owen said turning Ellie to face him and resting her against his shoulder, "are you going to come for a walk with mommy and grandpa?"
Annie added, "okay Ellie bug we need your hat and some sunscreen before we go."
Annie took Ellie from Owen and laid her on the table to put baby sunscreen on her.
"Do you have adult sunscreen," Owen asked.
"Shelf above the entry bench," Annie replied, "it's spray on I need some two. At least my shoulders, arms and neck."
Annie finished getting Ellie ready and handed her to Owen while she applied her own sunscreen and put on her shoes. She quickly put on the baby carrier and reached out for Ellie who happily snuggled into the carrier. Ellie knew already that the carrier meant mommy was going for a walk. Annie liked walking with Ellie in the carrier and enjoying the paths along the beach and steam. The stroller Annie liked for shopping or meeting friends but found too cumbersome for her favorite walking trails. Plus she liked being hands free and having her baby right against her body. Ellie was happier in the carrier than the stroller.
"Beach path," Annie asked as they went outside.
"If you're up to it," Owen said.
"I am," Annie smiled, "but don't ask me to run the stairs back up yet. I'll get there again but running stairs is a ways off. "
"Well walk the stairs," Owen agreed.
They walked for a while just catching up on events at the hospital Ellie's latest triumphs and how Annie and Josh were adjusting to being parents when Owen stopped and sat on a log.
"Annie," Owen began, "I don't know if you remember what you called me in the hospital the day Ellie was born but I wanted to talk about it."
Annie sat down beside Owen, "dad. I know. It just slipped out. I don't know if I was tired or hormonal or what and my filter was off. I've thought of you as my dad for years. I'm sorry if I hurt you. You looked so upset after."
Owen looked at Annie, "little bear you made me so happy when you said that. You're my daughter. When people ask I always say I have three kids, two girls and a boy. You've been part of my family since you were 19."
"Do you want me to call you dad," Annie asked.
"If that's what feels right to you," Owen said, "you and your mother have been my family for so long. I'm proud to have you as my daughter. You've been family since the first time you joined me in the OR at 19."
"It hasn't always been easy for me to accept that you see me as your daughter," Annie replied, "you've been my dad in my heart for years that's why I asked you to walk me down the aisle. I was afraid you would reject me after Dan did. I didn't say it sooner because I was scared. I've almost called you dad so many times over the years."
Owen smiled, "you never have to worry about that. In my heart you've been my daughter for years. Like mama I missed the first two thirds of your life but we're so proud to call you ours."
Annie brushed the tears from her eyes and bent her head to look at Ellie.
"I didn't want to make you cry," Owen said.
"Dad these are happy tears," Annie smiled.
"Dad," Owen replied, "I like that"
"Let's just go with whatever comes out," Annie replied, "it'll take me awhile to retrain my brain."
"Of course," Owen replied, "Annie are we good?"
"We're good," Annie beamed.
"I didn't want to make you uncomfortable," Owen said.
"Not at all," Annie replied, "we just don't ever get time to talk just you and I."
"We don't do we," Owen said, "and if it is it's work stuff. We have to do this more often, find time to talk just you and I. You're coming back to trauma?"
"Slowly, cardio first with scheduled stuff. I want Ellie a bit bigger before I do overnight," Annie said, "I'm starting with just my scheduled work for peds cardio. Not extras at first."
"You're a great mom Annie and a good surgeon, I'm proud of everything you've done in the last few years," Owen said, "I'd hug you but that would squish Ellie. I want you back in the ER and the trauma room. You're good at it, calm and collected. Good with patients."
Annie gave Owen a one armed hug, "no squishing my baby."
"I won't squish Ellie," Owen replied, returning the hug, "I'm happy for you Annie."
"Thanks," Annie laughed, "I want to try something with Ellie bug. Josh won't be happy with me but I want to do it now."
Owen looked worried, "what is it?"
"Don't stress, I'm going to take my shoes off and we are both going to put our feet in the ocean," Annie replied.
"I'll be the photographer," Owen agreed, "Josh will be fine. He doesn't love the ocean like you do."
"It's Ellie's first time in the water," Annie said, "do you think she'll get cold?"
"It's just her feet," Owen said, "and she'll snuggle back in with you to walk back."
"Let's do it," Annie said. She kicked off her shoes and unclipped the baby carrier. Annie passed Ellie to Owen while she removed the carrier.
"She's only in a onesie," Owen asked.
Annie had dressed Ellie in a bright pink onesie with daisies sprinkled across it and a matching pink hat. Annie was in jean shorts and a royal blue sleeveless top with her sunglasses pushed up onto the top of her head.
"Chill it's July and 85 degrees out, plus she's in the carrier against my chest she doesn't need pants. Ellie tell grandpa you look cute with your hat and sunglasses," Annie said.
Owen laughed, "you do look cute Ellie."
Annie asked, "do you want to come in the water with us?"
"I could," Owen replied as he slipped out of his shoes and socks.
Annie walked towards the water with Ellie on her shoulder. Owen took out his phone and snapped a picture. This made him happy, his oldest daughter and first granddaughter walking towards the water in the bright July sun. Annie's long waves hung down her back and you could see Ellie's little head over Annie's shoulder. The baby's face was dominated by her sunglasses. He sent the picture to Teddy with the caption "our oldest daughter and her baby. Annie's happy."
Annie turned and called, "are you coming?"
While she was figuring out what she was going to call Dan and Owen she wasn't going to use anything. They were both her dad in their own ways. She wanted to use it for both but wasn't sure.
"Just texting mama," Owen said.
"Watch this," Annie called back.
She turned Ellie to face Owen holding the baby under her arms and crouched lowering Ellie's feet to the water. Annie started to giggle when Ellie's feet touched the water and she began to kick up little splashes. Then Annie saw it, Ellie was really smiling.
"She's smiling," Annie called.
"Little mermaid just like her mom," Owen replied.
He had captured it all on video and sent it to Teddy.
Teddy responded, "of course Annie's baby would smile for the first time in the water. What a perfect memory.
Owen replied, "it is for them. I talked to her about the dad thing. She's wanted to say it for years but was afraid of how I would react."
Teddy texted, "I'm happy for you."
Owen walked into the water, "it's not that cold."
Annie replied, "I'd swim if I could wear a bathing suit."
Owen replied, "mama said the same thing after your sister. Give it time and a new bathing suit."
Annie asked, "is Alison dancing at the Seattle games this weekend?"
Owen replied, "she is. Are you coming?"
"I'd like to see her first games," Annie replied, "mama never mastered the stage mom thing she'll need my help. But it's primary so it's just a kiltie, vest, blouse and white knee socks. Mama can do a bun."
"Meghan and my mom are coming," Owen said, "do you want to come?"
"I do," Annie replied, "Josh is on call so it'll just be me and Ellie. There's a few people I used to dance with and compete against that I'd like to see. A few of my old friends are teaching now or have their kids competing."
Owen questioned, "your dance friends. You haven't seen them in years."
"I stayed in touch with a few," Annie said, "Facebook and Instagram mainly. Mrs Laura is going, it's her last competition and I want to see her one more time."
"Come and enjoy the day," Owen said.
"I will," Annie said, "Alison will be happy that I'm there."
"Alison misses you," Owen agreed, "she's a bit jealous of Ellie."
"I thought she would be," Annie said, "she was pretty attached to me."
"She loves you," Owen said, "if anything happens to me and mama will you look after your siblings?"
"Dad why are you asking," Annie said, "of course they would be with me if something happened to both of you. I love them. You really think I would let them go anywhere else?Their family and we stick together."
"I had to ask. Mama and I need to update our will. We're both healthy and happy but it's always good to have a plan," Owen said.
"We need to do that and figure out back up for Ellie. I'd say you and mama first then Meghan and Nathan or Jenna," Annie said.
"Not Chris," Owen asked.
"Too far away. Her family is here," Annie said, "he's single now and he's talking either back to school for nursing or another deployment. Ellie needs stability and not to be near the McKellars."
"We should head back," Owen said, "it's almost 1. I'm in the pit at 2:30."
"Okay," Annie replied, "can you help me with the carrier?"
"Of course," Owen replied, "I'll take Ellie."
They walked back and Owen left after Annie promised to be at a family dinner on Friday night with Josh and Ellie.