"Mama, dad, Ali, Leo," Annie called walking into Teddy's house.
"His sweetheart," Teddy greeted, "where's Josh?"
"On his way he got called into a trauma at 8 this morning," Annie said.
"How's Ellie," Teddy asked.
"Great she's sitting with help, I can put a pillow behind her and she stays up, and we started solids this week," Annie smiled, "she likes avocado."
"Did you bring her food," Teddy asked, "you eat a lot of avocado she probably knows the taste."
"I did and I might let her try a bit of mashed potatoes today," Annie said.
"I want to see that," Teddy said, "we got the high chair out so she can use it for dinner instead of being in your laps."
"Thank you," Annie said, "how can I help?"
"Can you set the table," Teddy asked, "teach Allison please."
"I will," Annie said, "full formal one?"
"Yes please," Teddy said, "someone I worked with in Germany is coming tonight he's in the states and has no one around. Owen and I invited Major Jackson."
"So don't use dad," Annie said.
"Preferably not," Teddy said.
"He knows about me," Annie asked.
"You met Peter," Teddy replied, "he's the ortho surgeon that showed you how to pin ribs."
"Okay," Annie replied, "he was funny. He called me Grace when everyone else called me Miss Altman."
"He did," Teddy agreed, "he didn't try to suck up to me either. He was my lieutenant."
"Chris and Jenna are coming," Annie reminded Teddy.
"I know," Teddy said, "I talked to Chris. He seems off is everything okay with Dan and Leslie?"
"We're speaking to Dan but not Leslie," Annie said, "something big. It's exciting. I'm happy for them."
"Are they engaged already," Teddy asked.
"I wish," Annie said.
"Are they okay," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Annie replied, "I'm not sharing their news. But I knew before my brother."
"Jenna has been pulling you into all these secret conversations," Teddy said.
"Just wait mama," Annie said.
"Should I worry," Teddy asked.
"No it's good news," Annie said, "I think it's good news."
"Jenna has been avoiding me," Teddy said, "she had an intern run the portable CT the other day. Annie what's going on?"
"I can't tell you it's their news," Annie said, "just wait."
"Is Jenna," Teddy began.
"It's their news to tell when they are ready," Annie cut her off.
"Jenna is, isn't she," Teddy guessed.
"What time is nana coming," Annie asked changing the subject.
"Don't change the subject," Teddy said.
"It's not our business mama," Annie said, "I thought you were working on staying out of things."
"This affects my hospital though," Teddy said.
"I made it all day yesterday without feeling guilty about my food," Annie said, she knew telling Teddy that would distract her.
"That's a huge step," Teddy replied.
"Still whole foods and mostly vegetarian," Annie admitted, "but I'm listening to my body more."
"You look good," Teddy said, "you have some colour back. Whole foods and not a lot of processed food is healthy for anyone. Really food not chemicals."
"Processed food doesn't taste good," Annie said.
"Meat," Teddy said.
"Turkey, chicken, eggs, seafood, a little bit of beef but I really can't stand pork," Annie said, "I had hoped that would go away after Ellie was born but it hasn't."
"Have you thought about Christmas," Teddy asked.
"We're still doing normal Christmas dinner and I'm hosting for the first time, PJs are still mandatory," Annie said, "I love that tradition."
"It's fun and silly and just ours," Teddy said, "you and I did it a couple years before everyone else."
"The two of us and a roasted chicken with wine in our PJs," Annie said, "we had fun those years."
"I'm glad I have those memories with just you," Teddy smiled, "will you bring Ellie to the tree farm?"
"We're doing it all," Annie said, "tree farm, Santa pictures, gingerbread house day, ice skating with her in the stroller. She'll come for cookie day. I'm still trying to figure out Christmas eve and Christmas morning. Josh and I have always worked Christmas eve."
"You used to have some traditions with the McKellars," Teddy mentioned, "ones you had fun with."
"None that I want to recreate for Ellie," Annie said, "we're going to start our own things. Cookies and milk for Santa, special stories, Chris and Jenna are spending Christmas eve with us. Christmas morning we'll do stockings and presents at home, make waffles. Ellie doen't know what it all is this year it's for me and Josh. next year she'll know more."
"Seven months at Christmas," Teddy said.
"She'll babble more and maybe try moving a bit or sitting independently," Annie said, "she grows so fast mama."
"She does," Teddy said, "you all do."
"I still don't understand how it's possible to love another person like this," Annie said, "I've never felt this way before."
"Its being a mom," Teddy said, "I think you really like being a mom."
"I do," Annie said, "I know you'll try to kill me for saying this but I think I like it more than being a surgeon."
"Not at all," Teddy said, "you fought so hard to find and build your family. You've wanted this for years sweetheart. Surgery is a career. This Ellie, Josh, our family that's life. I set a poor example for you for a long time. Especially when you were in med school. I was single, a widow, it was devastating, so I threw myself into work to distract myself from the pain. I did it after you were born, after my parents passed, I worked to avoid the pain and avoid the grief. All I did was work so I didn't have to think about what I lost."
"I studied and worked," Annie said, "so I could turn off the negative thoughts and the rejection."
"I didn't set a good example," Teddy said, "I'm sorry."
"I'm the trial kid right," Annie teased, "you'll be prepared when the next two get to college."
"I'll be really old," Teddy groaned.
"Never," Annie said, "papa used to say it was only in your head. Your only old if you think your old."
"That I can work with," Teddy agreed.
Annie smiled, "last thanksgiving I was just starting to gain a little bit of weight. It was a year ago that Josh noticed Ellie growing. We didn't have a name yet, or know it was a girl."
"I remember you showed me a couple days later at coffee," Teddy smiled, "that was exciting."
"Christmas when it was really a baby," Annie smiled, "you nana and Meghan all attacked me to feel it."
"Allison asked me why you ate so many cookies because Nee never eats that many cookies," Teddy replied.
"Her questions about the whole thing were interesting," Annie said, "is she still getting as jealous of Ellie?"
"I think she wants a sister day but is afraid to ask you," Teddy said.
"If you and I can swap for a couple hours tomorrow Josh is working," Annie said, "you get some Ellie time and I'll come up with something for Allison maybe skating and cocoa?"
"That would be okay," Teddy said, "ask you sister first."
"I will," Annie agreed, "I miss time with Allison but I haven't really wanted to leave Ellie more than I have to."
"I know," Teddy said, "Annie you can go out with friends with out Ellie. When was the last time you went for a glass of wine with a girlfriend?"
"Before I got pregnant," Annie said, " Steph is due any day, Cassidy has that new boyfriend that she's all wrapped up in. Jenna is consumed by her research and is with C on weekends. And I don't want to drink then feed Ellie."
"Talk to Jenna and Cassidy and go to Joes one night after work," Teddy said, "choose a night Josh is off."
"I need time with both of them," Annie said, "I am going to go back to my adult highland class in January. Just for the exercise, one class a week. It makes me happy."
"Then go dance," Teddy said.
"Are you still playing soccer," Annie asked.
"We are," Teddy said, "I like the group of people. They don't really know what we do so we can just be Teddy and Owen and it's great. We have a torunament next weekend."
"Do you want us to babysit," Annie asked.
"It would help," Teddy said, "Allison has ballet, Leo has soccer and they both have swimming on Saturday."
"We can do it," Annie said, "three kids in the truck. We've done it before and gone out with all three. People comment on how busy we must be with three, and how cute our family is. It always lets them down when I say Ali and Leo aren't mine."
There was a knock at the door.
"Jenna, Chris come in," Teddy greeted hugging the two of them.
"Hi auntie Teddy," Chris replied.
"Mama Altman do you have a second," Jenna asked.
"What is it Jenna," Teddy asked, "and you've known me long enough to call me Teddy."
"Annie's known for a while and we're going to let everyone at work know soon but you need to know first," Jenna said.
"Jenna what is it," asked Teddy looking serious.
"I'm pregnant," Jenna said, "ten weeks."
"Congratulations both of you," Teddy said.
"We have some things to work out," Chris said.
"You two have a lot to work out," Teddy agreed, "but you'll do what's best for your baby."
Owen and Josh walked in.
"Owen," Teddy shouted, "Chris and Jenna have good news."
"You're engaged," Owen guessed.
"No," Chris replied, "we're having a baby. In July."
"Ellie gets another cousin to play with," Annie smiled, "I've been waiting for you to tell me C."
"You knew," Chris asked.
"Of course I knew," Annie replied, "who do you think she's been freaking out to? I'm going to be the best auntie."
"We haven't told Dan," Chris said.
"I was almost 16 weeks before Dan and Leslie knew," Annie said, "just tell them before the baby comes."
"Dan," Chris said.
"Congratulations," Josh said, "let us know if you need anything."
"We will," Jenna agreed.
"Feeling okay Jenna," Teddy asked.
"Some days are better than others," Jenna replied, "I figured out what works for me. Annie has been really helpful."
"Can I get you anything," Teddy offered.
"I'm good right now," Jenna replied.
Annie and Jenna followed Teddy back to the kitchen chatting about babies and all of the exciting things to come for Jenna. Annie leaned on the counter with Ellie balanced on her hip, the baby waving her hands and babbling trying to be part of the conversation.
Josh and Chris took a seat in the living room with Owen.
"You ready for this," Owen asked.
"No," Chris admitted, "uncle Owen we didn't plan this."
"Allison wasn't either. Teddy was living in Germany," Owen said.
"I remember that. Getting Annie's texts and calls," Chris said, "I don't know what to do. I have two years of school after this and then I owe another year with the army."
"Plenty of couples do it with one parent deployed," Owen said.
"But I don't want to do that," Chris said, "leave Jenna and our baby."
"You'll have to," Owen said, "Jenna is a neurosurgeon, she'll get work anywhere you are."
"We can't put her in danger with our baby," Chris said, "I don't know how to do my two years of classes and be a good dad. Or even how to be a good dad."
"Jenna could do a year at the hospital on your base or near your base," Owen said, "Nathan was never actually military. He was a contracted doctor."
"I need to get down here," Chris said, "I can't be in BC and let her do this alone."
"We'll look out for her," Josh said, "she's talking to Annie a lot."
"She needs me," Chris said, "we've known three weeks. I have to finish my semester. If I stop doing my nursing degree now I can apply for discharge."
"What if you did nursing school here," Owen said.
"I'm Canadian, I can't," Chris said, "I can't work here and support them."
"Chris you have to be a team," Owen said, "partners. Teddy out ranks and out earns me. It only matters at work. At home we're a team."
"I'm a military medevac pilot and she's a neurosurgeon," Chris said.
"Medevac could be a way to get you down here," Josh said, "I heard from a couple of the paramedics that two of the choppers are grounded at least part of the time due to lack of pilots."
"I don't have a civilian license," Chris said, "only military."
"How do you get it converted," Josh asked.
"I don't know," Chris said, "my citizenship. Annie is the only one with dual."
"Ellie," Josh said, "we did both for her."
"What do I need to know," Chris asked.
"Emotions are out of control," Owen said, "Teddy would cry."
"I learned my wife knows a lot of swear words the day Ellie was born," Josh said, "just listen, let her cry, learn to give back massages. She also surprised me with how strong she was this whole last year. The moment I saw Ellie seconds old in Annie's arms just wait for that."
"I'm not a dad," Chris said.
"I panicked," Josh said.
"I worried that I couldn't do it," Owen agreed.
"I'm Worried about Jenna," Chris said, "she works so much and is on her feet so much."
"Neuro is calmer," Josh said, "not as physical as cardio or trauma. The hours we work are hard. Annie had to scale back around 32 weeks. She's not working a full 80 yet. She's doing 60 and a lot happier at 60 and having time with Ellie."
"How do I get her to slow down," Chris asked.
"Be here as much as possible," Josh said, "we found going to the cabin when we had a couple days off worked. We didn't have a lot to do there. We'd walk, sit by the river, play games and just relax. The cabin has always where we've gone for down time. We have to physically leave the city."
"Maybe Whistler," Chris said.
"Five hours from here," Owen pointed out, "I can get you the cabin key soon."
"That would be great," Chris said, "has Jenna ever been?"
"Fourth year we took some friends up skiing," Josh said.
In the kitchen Annie asked Allison, "miss bean. What do you think of going skating with me Sunday afternoon?
"Is Ellie coming," Allison asked.
"No she's going to have a grandma afternoon with mama," Annie said, "you and I will go and Leo is hanging out with Josh and Faroke."
"Yes please Nee," Allison shouted.
"Inside voice," Teddy reminded.
"Sorry mama," Allison said.
"How do you do it," Jenna asked.
"Do what," Annie asked.
"Work, your marriage, kids," Jenna said.
"I'm only working 60 hours," Annie replied, "and doing 10 of them at home, as much research as I can do at home I do. I have her in the daycare at work and go as much as I can to play with her and snuggle."
"Are you still breastfeeding," Jenna asked.
"I am," Annie said, "until she's a year then see."
"Jenna," Teddy said, "we will work your schedule like we do any moms to give you the most time with your kids. I'll work with you to build your schedule so it works for your baby. I got approval from the board to extend maternity leave to six months. You'll get six with your baby, double what I had or Annie had."
"Really," Jenna said, "this is a new relationship. Chris and I have only been together for a couple months."
"Owen and I weren't even together when I got pregnant with Allison," Teddy said.
"What," Jenna said, "I thought you had some long distance thing."
"No," Teddy said, "this doesn't get to be hospital gossip. I was working in Germany, he flew out to see me in April. I came home in July when they found Meghan. I was home a week and Owen and I were dating and living at the cottage. Jenna we worked it out."
"I haven't told my mom," Jenna whispered, "she's going to kill me. She keeps wanting to set me up with nice jewish boys from her temple. To tell her I'm pregnant, not married and fell for a christian guy."
"What year is it," Teddy asked.
"2020," Jenna replied.
"How old are you," Annie asked.
"32," Jenna replied, "unplanned baby at 32."
"I was 20 the first time and 45 the second," Teddy said, "Jenna it will be okay. You can do this. I've known Chris almost as long as I've known Annie, he won't leave you and your baby."
"The only person I know with a baby is Annie," Jenna said.
"Meghan," Teddy pointed out.
"My only friend," Jenna clarified.
"Steph Mitchell will have hers any day now," Annie said, "her due date is today. She's anxious. By summer it will only be Cassidy without one."
"Julia," Jenna said.
"Okay," Annie said, "I was thinking of those of us here."
"Lots of moms," Teddy said, "call your mom soon and tell her. If it was one of my kids I would want to know."
Annie saw Jenna tearing up and wrapped her free arm around her, "hey you're okay."
"I know," Jenna said, "hormones."
"I know," Annie said, "NICU babies."
"Puppies in dog food commercials," Teddy said.
They gathered for dinner around the table with the whole family. Annie and Josh had Ellie between them in the high chair.
"Lets try some potatoes," Josh said to Ellie, dipping a baby spoon into his mashed potatoes.
"Your first bite of potatoes," Annie said.
Josh brought the tip of the spoon to Ellie's lips. Ellie tasted the potatoes, she swallowed them and opened her mouth again.
"Is that yummy Ellie," Josh asked.
"Um," Ellie said.
"Do you want more," Annie asked.
Josh dipped the spoon back in his potatoes and gave Ellie another taste. She swallowed it and opened her mouth for more.
"She likes mashed potatoes," Owen observed.
"She likes food," Annie said, "she has Josh's appetite."
"A few more months," Meghan said.
"Catrina is growing so much," Annie beamed.
"Why does it go so fast," Meghan asked.
"I don't know," Evelyn said.
"It's been a long time since I've been at a big family gathering like this," Peter said.
"When was the last time you saw your family sir," Chris asked.
"A while," Peter admitted, "it's hard to have a family life in this field. How do all of you do it as surgeons and have this family life."
"We work for it," Teddy said, "when I was your CO in Germany I always told you that Annie would have to come first. The family has to be first. I've had other surgeons do surgeries because my kids needed me. I handed off a CBAG the day Ellie was born so I could be the first other than her parents to hold my granddaughter."
"We like each other," Nathan added.
"We spent too many years apart," Meghan said.
"This is every mom or grandma's dream," Evelyn said, "both of my kids happily married, 5 grandkids, the oldest granddaughter is married, great granddaughter. Our nephew and his girlfriend."
"Next year they'll be another baby if you'll have us," Chris said.
"Jenna," Meghan yelled, "congratulations."
"Congratulations you two," Owen said.
"Another baby," Evelyn said, "I need more yarn."
"Ba," Ellie babbled.
"Yes Ellie a baby," Annie said, "another cousin to play with."
"Not until mid June," Jenna said.
"So a year younger," Annie said.
"Grandmere will love this," Chris said, "we need to tell her and papa."
"A grandmere quilt," Annie smiled.
"Does Ellie have one," Chris asked.
"She does," Annie said, "it's the one I use in the background of her monthly photos."
"Those are cute," Jenna said.
"Soon," Annie smiled, "Jenna this is more fun than surgery. You think what we do at work matters, wait until you do this."
They spent the rest of the evening happily chatting and sharing stories. Both babies were happy and passed from relative to relative before they fell asleep and were returned to their parents.