"Why are we doing this," Annie asked Chris, "you dragged me, Josh, Ellie and your very pregnant girlfriend up here. For what?"
"Pine ridges centennial," Chris said, "100 years of our high school."
"Still doesn't explain why," Annie said, "I would have done a video."
"Ann," Chris groaned, "Josh, Ellie and Jenna are fine with grandmere and papa for a few hours. You and I have presentations to give."
"Why did you sucker me into this," Annie groaned.
"Because you should be up there with the other stars," Chris said, "Annie you did it."
"I'm still a fellow," Annie said, "I'm actually behind Jenna."
"For now," Chris said, "she's slowing down."
"Sooner than I did I'm glad," Annie replied.
"Ann go do this come in triumphant," Chris encouraged, "Annie your a fucking heart surgeon. Unassuming shy Annie McKellar."
"They'll all assume Altman is my married name," Annie said.
"They will," Chris said.
They climbed the front steps of their high school and were greeted by their math teacher who was now the principal.
"Mr Erickson," Annie greeted.
"Annabeth McKellar," Mr Erickson replied.
"Dr Altman now," Annie said.
"What type of doctor," Mr Erickson asked.
"Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon," Annie said, "I'm doing my fellowship in Seattle."
"Why Seattle," Mr Erickson asked.
"I have dual citizenship and am actually not licensed in Canada. I went to Harvard for my MD," Annie explained, "so did my residency in Seattle."
"Harvard MD," Mr Erickson smiled, "what else are you doing Annie, anyone special."
"I've been married two years and my daughter is almost 10 months," Annie replied.
"Do you have pictures," Mr Erickson asked.
"I do," Annie smiled, she took her phone out of her pocket and pulled up a photo of Ellie and Josh on the swing at the park the week before.
"They look happy," Mr Erickson commented.
"We are," Annie replied.
"So Chris what are you doing," Mr Erickson asked.
"I just stepped back from 13 years in the air force as a helicopter pilot, mainly medevac," Chris replied, "I'm moving to Seattle as well. My girlfriend and Annie work at the same hospital. I'm going to do some medevac work there. Jenna is a neurosurgeon and having our son at the end of June."
"Congratulations," Mr. Erickson said, "That's exciting. Your first?"
"Yes," Chris replied, "we'll be able to raise our kids together."
"How's your dad," Mr. Erickson asked, he had done his teaching degree with Dan.
"He's good," Chris replied, "him and mom split up a few months ago and he's looking at retiring to somewhere closer to Seattle to be near his grandkids. He likes being Grandude."
"Still out on his boat," Mr. Erickson asked.
"Always," Annie replied, "we'll get my daughter out on the boat this summer. Just a few boat rides no fishing."
"What does your husband do," Mr. Erickson asked.
"Josh is a trauma surgeon," Annie replied, "cardio and trauma is a common pairing. My birth mother is a cardio surgeon and my stepfather is a trauma surgeon."
"You found your birth mother," Mr. Erickson asked, "I remember when Leslie and Dan adopted you."
"11 years ago," Annie replied, "she's my boss, teacher, mentor, mother. Mama and I are very close."
"Are you ready to talk to the grade 11 and 12s," Mr. Erickson asked.
"Hard to come on the heels of a musician and an olympian but sure," Annie replied.
They walked to the gym and the head of the english department introduced Annie.
"We're welcoming back another graduate of Pine Ridge," Mrs. Furse said, "our next speaker is Dr. Grace Altman. Many of our staff knew her as Annie McKellar. Today she joins us as a surgeon. Please give a warm Panthers welcome to Dr. Altman."
"Good morning," Annie said, "it's good to be back in this gym. 13 years ago I was sitting there in the spring of my grade 12 year wanting to get out of an assembly like this. I'm going to try to keep this short because I know a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon isn't as exciting as an olympic gold medalist or a multi platinum musician. When I left here I had a lot of questions, where did I fit, where would I be in 10 years. All I knew was I wanted to go into medicine. I didn't know what type or where I would go. From here I spent three years at UBC completing my undergraduate degree in biology and kinesiology. During that time I learned a lot about life and spent time getting to know my birth mother. After I left UBC I started medical school at the age of 21. This was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. I chose a huge adventure, Harvard, Boston Mass. a new country and the other side of the continent. I was there for four years while I was there I met my husband. We studied a lot, lots of labs and course work, time with friends, exploring around Boston. Six years ago Josh and I moved to Seattle to do our surgical residencies where I began to enjoy working with kids and then focused further on heart surgery. I'm still studying and have about two years left on my fellowship. When my brother bullied me into speaking today I gave this a lot of thought. It was my time here in this building that taught me to be curious, to ask questions and expect an answer. I learned to work in groups and no matter how many times I rolled my eyes at Panther Pride it's true. It was my responsibility to be the very best I could be, to take the opportunities offered to me. One day ten years from now a song will come on the radio written by a class mate of yours referencing panther pride and it will bring you back to this building to the memories you shared. I have Mark's song on my work playlist my interns and residents don't understand why I sing the chorus fairly loudly in the OR but it reminds me of my roots and where I came from. I'm thankful for my time here and the incredible teachers that took the time to teach me, to care and encourage. My teachers here taught me to believe in myself and that I could follow my dreams. My best memories are of the Student Council, the dance team and drama productions. I could spend time going on about my memories but you all have your own. Mr. Erickson wanted me to stand up and talk about my career, I'm a surgeon. I specialize in working with children and infants and tiny hearts. It sounds a lot more heroic than it is. I'm part of a wonderful team, doctors, nurses, parents, respiratory and physical therapists. That's one thing I love about what I do is my team. Working on a premature baby I might be working with four other specialties. This past year I've worked very closely with a ten year old boy who needed a heart transplant, seeing him now three months after his transplant happy, healthy, his parents have their little boy back. Seeing a child healthy, helping a family that's why I do what I do. It's not glamorous no matter what TV makes it look like, most days its routine, long hours of being the steady person, the calm person for people in their absolute worst moments. I enjoy what I do but your career isn't the only thing in your life. Your relationships, the people you choose to have in your life that's what really matters. There will come a day when someone says something and you miss this place. Mine was for my mama's wedding to my stepfather, she told me she wanted emerald green, white and black. Well the first thing I thought of was paws the6 foot tall anthropomorphic panther in overalls and a cowboy hat. But there's been other moments, music, songs I danced to here or sung with my friends in the hallways with our iPods way too loud. Grade twelve you only have a few weeks left here and you're off on huge adventures. My advice for you is to follow your heart and do what makes you happy, find the thing that makes you want to know more and be better what drives you. Thank you so much for having me here today."
Annie left the stage and walked towards the door to listen to Chris from the far corner not wanting to draw anymore attention to herself.
Dan beamed at her as she approached, "well done Bear."
"No bear," Annie groaned, "thanks for coming."
"I wanted to hear the two of you speak," Dan said.
"I'm also a member of the class of 2008 with my sister," Chris said, "leaving here Annie and I chose different paths with the same goal. Helping others. I heard a couple teachers comment that the McKellar twins are back. I'm going to dispel that rumor once and for all. Annie is 11 months older than me and as she alluded to Annie was adopted at birth by our parents my biological parents. I'm not the speaker or as educated as my sister. I leave the mad science taking human beings apart to put them back together to Annie. When I graduated my dream was to fly airplanes. So I enlisted and joined the Air Force. I spent a few years training before I got the chance to apply to be a helicopter pilot then to specialize into medevac. I've been deployed a few times in Europe and the Middle East but my favorite one was a humanitarian mission in Haiti two years ago. I was already down there when a rumor goes through the camp. Two hot shot American majors were coming down from Seattle and bringing a team of mainly civilians. I heard two names get thrown around Hunt and Altman. That Altman was tough as nails and a massive perfectionist and Hunt was the biggest rule follower ever and a hard ass. I wondered was it auntie teddy and uncle Owen they fit the description and those were their last names. I get sent to pick them up in a helicopter and there sitting on top of a pile of gear in her baby blue scrubs is my sister. Major Altman that the Americans were worried about is Annie's birth mom. We get down there. I fly the team from Seattle into base camp and we get a call about three slide victims on a mountain side. Was I about to get a lesson in teamwork and leadership. Major Altman jumped into the helicopter herself and brought Annie and Josh as her assistants. I thought this was cool getting to fly my auntie Teddy, my sister and my brother in law. What I learned that day watching them work was the team work piece that teachers here spent five years nagging me about. It came back to panther pride. Each of us being excellent at our part of the job. It also changed my perception of surgeons seeing them figuring it out with a first aid kit in the mud. We spent five years here being told to work together, to own our actions and to choose to be great. I also have Mark's song on my playlist and while it drives my girlfriend crazy especially if she's worked with Annie that day and listened to it once that day it reminds me of home. Hockey games, rugby and football, school dances and events. It always brings me home. When you leave here, find your way to make this world a better place. Something more peaceful if you can do that you need less guys like me. Go on your big adventures, travel, have fun. Remember the people who stood by you when things sucked not just when it was great. Good luck to all of you and thank you for having me today."
Chris joined Dan and Annie.
"Well done both of you," Dan smiled, "are you going to the reunion tonight?"
"It depends on Ellie," Annie said, "if she's okay for a few hours with Grandmere."
"My mother raised 7 kids and had 21 grandchildren," Dan said, "she is fine for a couple hours with Ellie."
"I've only left her with our family in Seattle," Annie said, "it makes me nervous."
"Jenna is going to come," Chris said.
"Wait isn't Becky going," Annie asked.
"She's not," Chris replied, "I asked Brett."
"We could come for a bit to say hello to a few people," Annie said, "I think Cassie is going."
"Go," Dan said, "I'll go for a bit see some of the guys I graduated with."
Teddy sat down in the cafeteria with Owen, "should we be worried Annie is speaking at her highschool?"
"No," Owen said, "I've done it. Its one of those big anniversaries bring out the alumni who do cool things."
"She's working things out with Dan," Teddy said, "sometimes I'm not sure how I feel about that."
"What do you mean," Owen asked.
"The fact that she's able to listen and forgive is great," Teddy replied, "but I don't want to lose her. She's come so far with us."
"Teddy," Owen sighed, "we won't lose her. She's never going to trust dan the way she trusts you."
"I still gave her up," Teddy replied, "I should have kept her. Knowing what I do now."
"Then you wouldn't be you," Owen said, "I would never have met you."
"She's been so hurt and to be able to forgive like that," Teddy said.
"She forgives she won't forget," Owen replied, "I've heard her tell Dan to prove it with his actions. That he has to do something and it's not overnight."
"I guess I'm jealous," Teddy said, "and I'm still angry."
"Dan didn't know," Owen said, "Leslie was hiding everything from Dan. He honestly thought Annie wasn't reaching out. I didn't believe him when he told me he didn't know before the wedding and I thought it was a lie then but now I don't know. She never made you work for her trust. When she was first around she let you in slowly but she trusted you. She never asked you to prove it."
"I just can't lose her again," Teddy said, "losing her as a baby almost broke me. I never got over that. I can't lose Annie."
"You wont," Owen promised, "who does she come to? When she's excited or things go well who does she tell first?"
"Us and Josh," Teddy said, "even then she tells Josh everything first."
"It's her husband she should," Owen said, "We had this debate a year and a half ago. She goes to Josh first like you come to me first."
"I know," Teddy said, "she's made another maturity jump again and I don't like it."
"She has," Owen said, "the Ian thing made them do it. She's standing up to Christina."
"It's Ali's last year at daycare here," Teddy said, "she goes to kindergarten in a few months. We have to do her forms tonight. Owen we dont have any more babies or little kids."
"Do you want another," Owen asked.
"I'm not saying that," Teddy argued, "I guess I feel old like we have more life behind us than in front."
"Teddy your 51," Owen said, "that's not old."
" on paper," Teddy said, "but my mom was 57 when she passed."
"Teddy you're healthy," Owen said.
"My mom was two," Teddy said.
"Teddy stop stressing," Owen said, "we want the kids to grow. It's hard sometimes with annie being so grown up now and then seeing Ali and Leo."
"It's a hard split," Teddy said, "I don't know if I'm balancing it well. I want to be the hands on grandma your mom is for Ellie and our two are so little I can't do that."
"You do it well," Owen said, "Ellie was reaching for you yesterday when I took her."
"I don't," Teddy said.
"Your putting too much pressure on yourself," Owen said, "you need to breathe."
"Can we book a vacation," Teddy asked, "maybe go the two of us, Ali and Leo. They've never had that experience."
"Where do you want to go," Owen asked.
"Can we show them New York," Teddy said, "go to New York, maybe rent a car and drive out to where I grew up and show them?"
"I like that idea," Owen said, "I've done New York with you but have never seen your hometown."
"I've been back once with Annie," Teddy said.
"Let's take the little two," Owen said, "will Annie and Josh want to go?"
"She's not going to want to fly with Ellie like that," Teddy said, "they don't have any more days off. They used all of their time for Ian."
"When do you want to go," Owen asked.
"Leo has Spring break in April," Teddy said, "I don't want to pull him out of school."
"Let's book it when we get home tonight," Owen said, "we didn't do much for Valentines but in two weeks its 18 years since we met. Let's ask mom to take the kids for a couple nights and go somewhere like Whitbey island just us and celebrate."
"Book it," Teddy said, "make sure your mom can babysit. I don't want to put it on Annie and Josh. She'll offer but she's got so much going on."
"I know," Owen said, "them taking the two days to go to Cloverdale is okay."
"They're staying in a hotel," Teddy said, "she won't stay at Dan's parents yet."
"I don't think she ever will," Owen said.
"Hopefully they stay calm," Teddy said, "and her presentation goes well."
"She was prepared," Owen said.
"She always is," Teddy replied, "it's tonight the reunion I'm worried about."
"She wouldn't go if she didn't want to," Owen said.
That evening Annie and Josh walked into the high school gym with Chris and Jenna.
"Annie McKellar," Cassie yelled.
"Cassie," Annie replied, "you've met Josh?"
"No," Cassie replied, "Alice has though. You don't come home."
"I've been back twice since we had Ellie but that's it," Annie said, "we won't come back much. My dad retires at the end of this school year and is going to split his time between my grandparents and seattle."
"How is Ellie," Cassie asked, "I saw you last April and have seen pictures but haven't seen your daughter."
"She's good," Annie smiled, "she's standing now and she bounces when I put music on."
"Where is she tonight," Cassie asked.
"We're just here for a couple hours Ellie is with Grandmere," Annie answered, "How's Hannah?"
"She's good," Cassie smiled, "she loves school and just started competing in Novice."
"Novice already," Annie said.
"She's eight," Cassie replied, "but who's that with Chris?"
"Jenna," Annie replied, "a good friend of mine actually. They bonded over Ellie last summer. It was kinda cute watching them fight over her. They started dating and one thing led to another."
"What do you mean," Cassie asked.
Then Jenna turned to walk towards Annie.
"I see what you mean," Cassie said, "how did your parents take it."
"Dan is cool," Annie said, "he likes being grandude. Leslie currently won't speak to Chris or I."
"Ann," Jenna said, "I'm getting a lot of good stories about you and Chris."
"And you're going to forget them all," Annie teased, "my life didn't start until med school."
"Except Chris has told me all about it," Jenna replied.
"Jenna this is Cassie, we grew up together from preschool, were roommates at UBC then I moved and lost touch," Annie said, "Cass, Jenna and I met on a rural rotation in South Dakota a few years back and did our residencies together."
"South Dakota that's what 6 years ago," Jenna said, "we were still in school."
"We had fun," Annie laughed, "six or seven. We were both single."
"We were," Jenna said, "then you showed up in Seattle living with Josh like 4 months later."
"He was my roommate," Annie reminded Jenna.
"What have I missed," Cassie asked.
"Annie and Josh," Jenna said, "cutest couple at the hospital."
"Did you live together before the wedding," Cassie asked, looking shocked.
"Ya," Annie replied, "who doesn't?"
"Miss I never had a boy in my room," Cassie teased.
"Things change," Annie replied, "I'm just another boring mom now."
"Annie McKellar," another woman said joining them.
"Altman now," Annie replied, "this is my husband Josh."
"It's nice to meet you," Josh said.
They spent a couple hours catching up with people Annie used to know.
"We should head back," Annie said, "grandmere had had Ellie long enough and Jenna looks exhausted."
They walked out with Jenna and Chris.
"What did you think," Annie asked Josh.
"It was good," Josh said, "glad you came?"
"I am," Annie agreed.
"This explains a lot," Jenna said.
"What do you mean," Josh asked.
"That song," Jenna laughed.
"Panther pride," Annie laughed, "you love it."
"It's okay," Josh said.
"Come on," Annie teased, "first time you've seen my high school or old friends."
"Will you come back," Josh asked.
"See grandmere and papa," Annie said, "there's not much to hold me here."
They drove back to pick up Ellie and then to the hotel.
Jenna sat in the bed in their room brushing her hair.
"That was some reception to you and Annie," Jenna said.
"We haven't really been back," Chris said, "you doing okay?"
"Tired," Jenna said, "I'm gettin sore."
"Back or legs," Chris asked.
"Both the heels were dumb," Jenna said.
"Where do you want me to start," Chris asked.
"Feet," Jenna said, lifting her legs up.
"Okay," Chris said sitting on the bed beside her, "do you want to get your pajamas?"
"Sure," Jenna said pushing herself off the bed.
"So here this weekend and the cabin for the last weekend of the year next weekend," Chris said.
"Sure," Jenna said, "I like the cabin now. It's different than how we went away with my parents."
"What did you do," Chris asked.
"My mom likes cruises," Jenna said, "all inclusive resorts. The cabin with nana and our aunts fussing."
"They did it to Annie last year," Chris said.
"My mom wants to come visit the week after next," Jenna said.
"I want to meet her," Chris replied.
"She's intense," Jenna warned, "she has very definite ideas about how we need to raise Tyler."
"We'll do it our way," Chris said, "Annie and Josh do what they want with Ellie and everyone is happy."
"My mom wants us to do a few things religiously but neither of us is religious," Jenna said.
"If it won't hurt him," Chris said.
"Can we talk it though with Karev and Robbins," Jenna asked.
"We can. But my stance on that is still no," Chris said.
"I agree with you," Jenna said, "it's medically not necessary but my mom will fight us on it."
"He's our son," Chris said.
"He is," Jenna agreed, "what will your family think about the name?"
"Dad will like the middle name," Chris said, "amd Tyler is different."
"But well be able to read it on a chart," Jenna said, "I hate getting charts and not being able to read the name."
"Dad suggested we get others to read the name,". Chris said, "he told Annie the same."
"Ellie is easy," Jenna said, "so is Elizabeth."
"Tyler or Ty will be easy," Chris agreed.
At home Meghan was getting angry.
"Faroke," Meghan bellowed.
"You sound like uncle Owen," Faroke yelled down the stairs.
"Get your ass down here now," Meghan snapped.
"Why," Faroke asked.
"Get down here now," Meghan yelled.
"Why," Faroke asked.
"You will get your ass in this kitchen now or you will not like the consequences," Meghan said.
Faroke pounded down the stairs.
"What," Faroke snapped.
"Your principal called," Meghan said, "would you like to explain what happened?"
"It's none of your business," Faroke snapped.
"What happened," Meghan asked.
"Mama," Faroke groaned.
"Now," Meghan demanded, "the longer you stall the longer your grounded."
"What does it matter I was doing what was right," Faroke said.
"What happened," Meghan asked.
"What did the principal say," Faroke asked.
"I want your side first," Meghan said.
"I got in a fight," Faroke said, "Curtis Jackson called me and Batool Hamadan terroists. He said that we weren't American and that we should be deported. He's been saying this for weeks and I've been ignoring it. But today he pulled Batools hijab off and I lost it. I've told him to leave her alone but he had his hands on her pulling at it and I couldn't stop."
"Why didn't you tell me or dad," Meghan asked.
"Because you don't get it mama," Faroke said, "your white. You don't see how kids at school treat me because of my skin colour."
"Your American," Meghan said.
"I got citizenship when you and dad legally adopted me but I'm still a Syrian refugee so is Batool," Faroke said, "Curtis had his hands on her and I couldn't stop. He needed to be stopped."
"Monday we're meeting your principal and you need to tell him what you told me," Meghan said.
"You and dad say to fight for what's right," Faroke said.
"We do," Meghan agreed, "and we both served with the army like uncle Owen and auntie teddy. But you missunderstood us. I didn't mean to use your fists. Faroke you have to use your words."
"I tried mama I did," Faroke said, "but he wouldn't listen and kept calling me a terrorist. I'm not a terrorist."
"Your not," Meghan said, "I understand why your upset. Why didn't you tell your principal?"
"I was scared," Faroke said, "I didn't want to get Batool in trouble. She was so worried her baba would find out and beat her. She's a friend of Kiras and her parents are just starting to let her go to Kiras house."
"You were protecting a friend," Meghan said, "I understand that. Why don't I email your principal and we can talk to him on Monday."
"Do I have to," Faroke asked.
"Yes you do. It's standing up for what's right," Meghan replied, "it still doesn't excuse your fists."
"I know," Faroke said, "I didn't know what else to do."
"You tell an adult," Meghan said, "me or dad."
"I'm sixteen," Faroke said, "I can't have my mama fight my battles for me."
"Faroke," Meghan sighed, "you don't have to fight it yourself this is bigger than you."
"Why can you do it or dad or auntie Teddy or uncle Owen," Faroke asked, "your all soldiers it's hard to measure up to."
"Amd we worked as a team," Meghan said, "we were never alone. There were dozens of us. We never worked alone. We always had a team. Faroke this isn't a one person thing and I don't always understand it."
"You can't your white with red hair," Faroke said.
"Before we came home I was the outsider," Meghan said.
"But they wanted you," Faroke said.
"For my surgical skills. I wasn't there by choice,"
Meghan said, "you were the only bright spot in all of that."
"I know," Faroke said, "I don't want to go back. I like it here with you, dad and Catrina. Am I in trouble?"
"I'm not happy you used your fists. Hitting doesn't solve it," Meghan said, "I understand why you did it but it doesn't excuse hitting. Let me talk to dad when he gets home."
"Am i grounded," Faroke asked.
"We will talk with dad tomorrow," Meghan said, "you are home tonight. You can help me get caught up on some house work and I wanted to do some zucchini bread and cookies tonight."
"Your not mad," Faroke asked.
"I'm disappointed you chose to you your fists," Meghan said, "your intentions were good but hitting is never the answer. Your going to stay close to home this weekend until we meet with your principal."
"Okay," Faroke said, "you really did sound like uncle Owen when you bellowed."
"Nana used to do that," Meghan said, "Owen is loud."
"Why does he do that," Faroke asked.
"Teddy has tamed him he used to be a lot worse," Meghan replied.
"Annie," Faroke said.
"Mom says she changed both of them and the changes I saw in them when I came home they were gentler and calmer than I remembered," Meghan said, "the day Teddy came home it was cute. Annie was 24 and an intern. She had been a doctor a month and was helping Grey with something on me. Owen gave her directions and teddy was behind him motioning for me to be quiet. Owen asked Annie to go with him when she finished she turned and saw Teddy leaping at her. I had never seen that softness in Teddy before. Or Owen he was standing there smiling at them."
"Uncle Owen isn't that tough," Faroke said.
"He was inflexible," Meghan said.
"That was a lot to come her and magically have dad, auntie Teddy and uncle Owen and Annie and Josh."
"I wasn't expecting Annie and Teddy either," Meghan said, "I'm glad they were here."
"I want Annie's help with something for Kira," Faroke said.
"Call or text her," Meghan said, "but your not seeing Kira this weekend. You can spend it with dad and I. Your babysitting your sister tomorrow anyway."