I understand there is some disagreement with my artistic license with my characters and my story. The person calling Annie a goddess in the previous chapter is her husband in what was meant to be a small family moment. Obviously I am not a doctor either.
Owen pulled a tray of chicken strips out of the oven ," Do you know what the plan is tonight?"
"Annie, Josh and Ellie are coming here," Teddy said, "they'll spend tonight with us and we're doing our family presents with them. So in the morning S-A-N-T-A gets all the credit. I don't like not having her for Christmas morning. It feels so wrong after ten years."
"Would they come in the morning," Owen asked,
"They would have but she's offered to do Christmas dinner for the first time," Teddy replied, "she's excited."
"She's growing up," Owen said, "only took her having her own baby to call me dad."
"She'd been thinking that since before her wedding," Teddy replied.
"This year has been good," Owen said, "Ellie, my mom and David, kids are in school."
"Chris and Jenna," Teddy added, "Catrina, we took a couple weekends just us."
"Jenna has picked up on Chris's Auntie and Uncle for us," Owen said.
"Things with Dan are still strained," Teddy replied, "Annie and Chris are keeping him at arms length. He's coming on the 26th to do Christmas with them."
"Christmas Day with Jessica," Owen asked.
"His parents," Teddy replied, "Doug and Marie come on the 26th as well. They stay with Annie and Josh, Dan stays in Jenna's spare room. Leslie won't talk to Chris."
"Why," Owen asked.
"Jenna," Teddy replied, "Leslie's world view is so narrow that it's not okay."
"What part isn't okay," Owen asked.
"Jenna being Jewish, the baby, moving down here," Teddy said.
"They got his move organized," Owen said.
"By April," Teddy replied, "he needs to prove he has more than the baby to tie him here."
"They go to Whistler soon," Owen said, "he's going to propose."
"Too soon," Teddy said.
"I did," Owen replied.
"But we had how many years of history," Teddy said, "Annie mentioned that Dan is looking at retiring closer to Seattle."
"If the divorce is final, Annie, Chris and his grandkids are here," Owen said, "it makes sense. We would go closer to the kids if they moved away when we retire."
"Ali and Leo will be in college when we retire," Teddy said, "Ali will be 19 when I can retire."
"65," Owen said, "really?"
"Why not," Teddy said, "enjoy life after surgery. Richard is an amazing surgeon and teacher but that's been his entire life. I want us to travel. Enjoy our time not work until we physically can't operate."
"Our three and a half kids," Owen said.
"Half," Teddy asked, "where did you get that from?"
"Chris," Owen replied, "he's half ours now."
"Okay," Teddy agreed, "he's been family for years."
"Mama why are we doing presents with Annie tonight," Leo asked as he wandered into the kitchen and took a piece of cheese off the plate Teddy was arranging.
"So that Ellie can be home in the morning," Teddy said, "remember tonight you're going to do some of your presents. A few from me and dad then Annie, Josh and Ellie. In the morning Santa will come and you'll have some others from me and dad. Then we'll go to Annie and Josh's for Christmas dinner and do our usual night with Nanna, Uncle Nathan, Auntie, Meghan, Faroke and Catrina."
"But Annie and Josh always come after work on Christmas," Leo pointed out.
"Not this year," Teddy replied, "they get to stay home with Ellie tonight instead of working."
"Do you have to work," Leo asked.
"Daddy and I are on call so if we get called we have to go," Teddy said.
"I don't like when you get called," Allison declared.
"I don't either," Teddy agreed, "can you two help me get ready for tonight?"
"Cookies," Allison asked.
"Maybe," Teddy replied in a teasing tone, "first I need all the toys out of the family room."
"All of them," Leo asked, "even my lego?"
"Especially the lego," Teddy replied, "Ellie is scooting around on the floor now and could choke on it."
"Can Ellie crawl now," Leo asked.
"Almost," Teddy replied, "I saw her at daycare yesterday she wiggles across the floor, and she rolls everywhere, plus she's putting anything she sees on the floor in her mouth."
"What time do they come," Owen asked.
"5:30," Teddy replied, "I need the toys off the living room floor, now so I can vacuum."
"Okay," Leo mopped.
"Thanks buddy," Teddy smiled.
At 5:30 Annie carried Ellie inside, while Josh brought in the box of gifts for the family.
"What a difference a year makes," Annie said as she took off her coat and unbundled Ellie, revealing the baby's red wool dress with white reindeer woven into the fabric."
"I know," Teddy said, taking Ellie, "That is a cute Christmas dress."
"Her first," Annie said, "I went a bit overboard."
"It's Christmas," Teddy smiled, "we always go overboard."
"We do," Annie agreed, "it's our holiday."
"This is my 10th Christmas with you," Teddy said.
"I know," Annie said, "this should be the best yet."
"How's Ellie," Teddy asked.
"She's her happy self, it was just a sniffle a couple days home with us and she's fine," Annie replied, "thanks for giving the fellows the time off."
"Sam offered to do it," Teddy said, "she came and asked me to schedule her instead of you for the holidays."
"Really," Annie asked.
"She wanted you to have time with Ellie," Teddy smiled.
"She's a good addition to the group," Annie said, "my group has changed so much this year."
"Hospital groups shift," Teddy agreed.
"I miss Steph," Annie sighed.
"How's her little girl," Teddy asked.
"Kim is three weeks now," Annie smiled, "Ellie and I went to see them this morning. I miss Ellie being that tiny and snuggly. She's so big now. I swear she's going to figure out crawling soon. She does that rocking thing on her hands and knees and can scoot on her bum."
"Soon," Teddy said, "the brand new ones are sweet. How's Steph doing?"
"Calmer than I was," Annie said, "she's tired and worn out though. I held Kim so she could shower. I want to get Ellie, Kim and Catrina together for a play date."
"Meghan would love that," Teddy smiled, "moms with infants."
"I'll text them after new years," Annie said.
"First Christmases," Teddy smiled.
"Ellie and Catrina tomorrow that's going to be precious," Annie said.
"I want the annual by the tree picture of all of you," Teddy said.
"I like last year's picture," Annie said.
"It's one of my favourites," Teddy agreed, "with the tiny bump."
"I know," Annie smiled, "this year we get to have Ellie in it."
"Can I share it this year," Teddy asked.
"You shared last year's," Annie replied, "I remember the comments."
"You were cute," Teddy said.
"What's the plan tonight," Annie asked.
"Dinner, gifts, carols," Teddy replied.
"Sounds like a perfect Christmas eve," Annie replied.
"I thought we could watch the polar express," Teddy suggested.
"I brought the picture book of it and another one grandmere sent me for Ellie," Annie said.
"Christmas stories of course you did," Teddy smiled.
"These are mine, the books are in the diaper bag," Annie said, "sometimes it's just easier to throw my phone and wallet in the diaper bag."
"It is," Teddy said.
"We slept through the night for the first time last night," Annie said.
"That must feel good," Teddy replied.
"I forgot what sleep is," Annie laughed, "I woke up when she usually does though."
"Yep," Teddy agreed.
"She went down at 7 and was up at 6," Annie said.
"That's a good sleep," Teddy said.
"Josh and I finished wrapping, I prepped what I could for tonight, we watched a movie and we're in bed by 10," Annie said, "I let her afternoon nap go long so she'd be more alert tonight. If I pay for it later that's okay."
"Seven is an early bedtime," Teddy said, "I used to keep Allison up until 8ish so I could sleep later."
"Difference between attendings and fellows we start earlier," Annie argued, "I need her up at six so she's ready to go to by 6:45. I like to be at work by 7 at the latest. Today I just brought her into bed for cuddles until I was ready to start moving."
"I'm liking her more stable routines," Annie said, "Steph is totally overtired and overwhelmed. Brad got a week off so she's been on her own. She still hasn't slept more than a couple hours. But it was nice when Ellie was fussy because she was hungry and tired that it was another mom. Yes my baby is a lot older but it's still someone who gets it. It's been hard being the only one with a baby."
"I know," Teddy said, "by the time we had Ali and Leo most of our friends were past the baby stage."
"We were the first of our friends to do a lot of things," Annie said.
"Still the only ones married," Teddy pointed out, "Jenna will join you soon."
"Their little one is a year younger than Ellie," Annie said, "typical C always does things a year after I do."
"You're okay with this," Teddy clarified.
"I've called him a dumb dumb," Annie admitted, "espically after what happened with Becky last spring."
"What happened," Teddy asked.
"Becky cheated," Annie stated, "he came home and she tried to pass off another guy's baby as his."
"No," Teddy gasped.
"Never said Becky was smart," Annie replied, "but Chris and Jenna I like as a couple and it's great having him around more now."
"You've always been close to your brother," Teddy said.
"One of my favorite Chris stories is when you tried to claim we were both yours up at Baker in front of someone and he totally played along and called you mama," Annie laughed.
"That was good," Teddy said, "I had two kids Annabeth and Christopher. You must have some good ones for their wedding?"
"I do about both of them," Annie smiled, "my best stories are for Steph's wedding we had a lot of fun in the little apartment."
"You and Steph did," Teddy agreed, "I remember dropping you off in Boston your first year and meeting Steph. The two of you were instantly best friends. I can't believe you're both moms."
"Mama," Leo asked, "can I show Ellie my cars?"
"No," Annie said crouching down, "she's still too little. If you look in the diaper bag I have a few toys she likes."
"Get Ellie's basket," Teddy said.
"Can I play with Ellie," Leo asked.
"If I put her on the floor in the family room will you make sure she doesn't put anything in her mouth," Annie asked.
"I promise," Leo said.
Annie walked into the family room and set Ellie on the floor.
"Mama," Annie asked, "can I help?"
"Everything is almost done," Teddy said, "wine?"
"Sure," Annie said.
They spent the evening talking, opening gifts and playing games. Close to bedtime Annie suggested, "should we read our stories?"
"Please," Allison said.
Annie settled Ellie in her lap and Allison and Leo curled up on either side of her.
"Ellie is almost asleep," Josh pointed out.
"I'm enjoying this," Annie said holding Ellie closer.
"I know you are," Josh smiled.
"Should we get her to bed," Annie asked, "it's almost nine. Bedtime was two hours ago."
"Whenever you're ready," Josh said.
"I think we should," Annie said.
Annie kissed the tops of Allison and Leo's heads ,"good night."
"Can I give Ellie a good night hug," Allison asked.
"Of course you can," Annie said, "but she's sleepy so just gentle where she is."
"Night night Ellie," Allison said.
Annie, Josh and Ellie grabbed their stuff and headed out the door.
After putting Ellie to bed they sat on the couch for a moment each in their own world.
"I'm going to get ready for bed," Annie said.
"Am I joining you," Josh asked.
"Of course you are," Annie said, giving him a teasing look over her shoulder.
Christmas afternoon the family started arriving for dinner.
"Merry Christmas Catrina," Annie said scooping up the smaller baby, "Ellie is waiting to play with you."
They laid both babies on the living room floor to play. Annie showed the little girls a set of toy reindeer and placed them just out of their reach so they had to stretch for them.
"Can I help with anything," Meghan asked.
"We're good," Annie replied, "I just have a couple things to finish."
"Babies first christmas," Meghan smiled.
"I know," Annie beamed, "last year she moved for the first time on Christmas day."
"You were so cute," Meghan replied.
"We were excited," Annie laughed, "who would have thought we would both have baby girls this year."
"It was a wish," Meghan said, "I had really given up."
"I'm glad you didn't," Annie said, "look at them."
Josh and Nathan sat on the floor with the babies.
"Wow," Josh said, "the two of us with baby girls."
"And your's is older," Nathan replied.
"Three months," Josh replied.
"They'll be close like Meg and Teddy," Nathan smiled.
"Best friends," Josh agreed, "this is good but I wish Dad didn't have to work."
"He comes when," Nathan asked.
"He's not this year," Josh replied, "we have McKellars coming tomorrow."
"Dan and the grandparents," Nathan asked.
"Yes," Josh answered, "Dan can be really good or hard. I have no clue what this visit will be."
"How's Annie with it," Nathan asked.
"She doesn't say much," Josh said, "she seems okay."
"Any word from the mom or sister," Nathan asked.
"Nothing," Josh replied, "but we didn't expect it. It's better for Ellie not to have them bounce in and out."
"It is," Nathan replied.
"Ellie," Josh said, "lets get that out of your mouth."
Josh pulled the button out of Ellie's mouth.
"How did you get a button," Josh asked, "mommy vacuumed right before everyone came."
"It's one from Catrina's sweater," Meghan said sitting on the couch.
Josh passed the button back. Looking back he saw Ellie and gotten onto her knees and was rocking back and forth.
"Come on Ellie you can crawl," Josh encouraged, "come to daddy."
Ellie smiled at Josh and echoed dada.
"Yes daddy," Josh beamed pulling Ellie into his arms, "I'm daddy. Annie, she said dada."
"She's been saying it for a few days," Annie laughed.
"Not looking at me to say it," Josh smiled, "Ellie can you say mama?"
"Dada," Ellie said again.
"Ellie say mama," Josh encouraged, knowing how badly Annie wanted to hear that.
"Ma," Ellie babbled.
"Come on Ellie mama," Annie coaxed.
"Ma ma," Ellie tried.
"Yes baby mama," Annie beamed with tears in her eyes.
"Mama did you hear that," Annie asked.
"I did," Teddy smiled.
"Mama dada," Ellie babbled.
"Yes mama and daddy," Annie smiled, kissing Ellie on the cheek.
Owen whispered to Teddy, "Ellie doesn't know what she's saying yet."
"Let them think she does," Teddy replied, "they're happy."