**A pretty long chapter but I hope you stick to the end. I've decided to explore further the stories of every member in the Hunt's family. Please enjoy it. And as always, I appreciate your reviews.
...
The sky had been cloudy since morning but gladly the graduation ceremony is held indoor. Owen brings a camera to record the moments his children walking on the stage with pride. Cristina doesn't smile as heartily as her husband does, but deep inside her heart she is overfilled with joy and content. It was seventeen years of hard work juggling between work and taking care of her family. And now she can be satisfied that she has raised her children right.
They eventually go back home after taking hundreds of pictures of the new graduates. They need to be back before six for the restaurant to cater the food to their house.
Not long after they enter the house and change their clothes that the doorbell rings. Owen opens the door and sees Jackson:
"Avery, come in! You're early!" Owen welcomes Jackson and his older daughter Jasmine inside.
Theo just finishes taking a shower upstairs and he's changing his clothes. As he hears the doorbell, he steps out to the corridor and hears Jackson Avery arriving. Blushing, he quickly goes back to his room, prepping his hair to perfect then putting on his favorite baby blue shirt. He has been influenced by his dad to dress like a gentleman when there's an important event. Well, today is his graduation, which makes him an important figure of the day; but meeting Jane again is what makes him feel the need to look the best in the crowd tonight.
Theo descends the stairs, smiling confidently and giving Jackson a welcome hug:
"Jackson, thanks for coming."
"Hey Theo, we've heard about your achievement. Congratulations. To you and Teddy." Jackson hands Owen's son two envelopes, which he knows two gift cards are enclosed.
"Thank you." Theo looks around to find Jane but disappointed not to see her smile.
"Where are your mother and Jane, Jasmine?" He asks Jane's sister.
"My mom took her to the dentist office today. So they might come later, but I'm not sure about that."
Faith smiles as she sees Theo's disappointment in his eyes. She can tell her brother dresses up very nicely for the night. She elbows him as they stand alone in the corridor.
"You really like her, huh?"
"Mind your own business." Theo blushes.
"Okay. I like the blue shirt. You look like Dad." She pats her brother's back.
Teddy lightly descends the stairs and joins her brother and sister near the entrance. She wears a simple lace dress in white and she braids her red hair aside.
"Where's our gift, Faith?" She grins, gesturing towards her sister.
"My trip back home is your gift, guys. I'm also broke. I'm still a student."-Faith mumbles.
"Oh so who just went to Vegas before coming home?" Theo asks her.
"I spent my money on the tattoo."-Faith grimaces.
" Nah nah, no excuse. We made you a cake when you graduated." Teddy argues.
"Fine. I'll give you two movie gift cards tomorrow. Deal?"
"Deal." The twins grin at their sister.
Another doorbell rings and it's Alex with his family. Theo is excited to see Dean and Dave after a while; he had really good times playing computer games with the boys when he was idle.
"Congrats, bro! This is what you ever wish for!" Dave gives Theo the newest game that he and his brother queued up overnight two days ago to buy for him.
"Thanks! Let's play after the buffet!"-Theo grins.
Not long after Alex arrival that Meredith, Derek and their children Zola and Bailey arrive. Faith is glad to see Zola; even though Zola is two years older than Faith, they have been great girl friends since toddlers. However, she is not very excited to see the familiar face of Bailey, for they have been roommates since they both entered Stanford.
"Congratulations, Teddy and Theo." Meredith hands the twin two stationery cards as she gives them big hugs.
"This is for your Dad, who successfully raises you kids into graduates"- Derek smiles as he shows up an expensive bottle of wine. The couple quickly strides to the living room to see Cristina and Owen.
"Congrats! From me and Zola." Bailey hands the twins two shopping bag, which encloses a dress and a pair of jeans for the twin.
"Thanks, brother." Teddy gently smiles as she hugs Zola and Bailey. He suddenly blushes as he hugs back the girl in white dress. All his 23 years of life, he always considered Teddy to be an annoying sister of his close friend. She always wore jeans and sneakers; she was as cranky as her mother Cristina Yang and she loved to mess up whatever they were playing when they were kids. Not until this moment that Bailey acknowledges Teddy's appearance of a grown, mature and beautiful graduate.
Faith departs from her siblings and joins Zola to the kitchen and catch up with her stories. The house has been noisier as the adults gather around the table and enjoy Derek's bottle of wine. Sophia eventually arrives with her mothers, and they all give Teddy and Theo gift cards and presents. Teddy smiles as she gives them big hugs; the mothers are always generous to her and Theo.
Theo sighs as he checks his phone.
"What's up?" Teddy turns around, her eyebrows crunch up.
"Jasmine said Aunt April and Jane may not come. Jane visits her dentist tonight."
"This late?" Teddy asks him
"Yeah, I guess they're too busy they can only take her to evening appointments. I don't know if I should ask Jasmine again."
Teddy laughs out loud at her brother's silly look. Then she presses her hand against her lips, and returns to a serious look eventually:
"Look at you, shining in your blue shirt. It's not for the party but for Jane, right? Anyway, a treat to Baskin Robbins, and I will ask Jasmine for you." She smiles mischievously.
"Deal." Theo sighs.
Just as they are about to walk away from the entrance, the doorbell rings. Theo abruptly turns around and opens the door to see it's raining heavily outside. Yet, he smiles. April and Jane are standing in front of him, shivering.
"Aunt April! Come on in!"
"It's hard to find a parking lot." April murmurs. Teddy quickly runs upstairs to grab two big towels and hands to April and Jane.
"Here, please help yourself. And thank you for coming." Her face brightens up as she sees them. Teddy always loves to see her godmother as well as Jane and Jasmine.
Theo can't help but smile for the whole time watching April and Jane drying up. He notices the girl still wears the bandage on her face. She looks simply cute in a blue dress. She dresses in blue, just like him. And he loves that.
"I thought you two couldn't come…" Theo murmurs while looking at Jane. He feels so contented that Jane made it to his party.
"Of course we have to be here. Congrats, Theo!" Jane beams at him. And he can see she has taken her braces off. She looks cuter than ever.
….
Owen spots Derek and Jackson engaging in a very enthusiastic talk so he joins them at the corner of the kitchen. "What are you up to?"
"We're discussing about the upcoming bid. Hey Hunt, I'm sorry but this time Shepherd will be the second representative for Grey Sloan." Jackson sighs.
"I know, my wife is one of the opponents and you're afraid I can leak the information." Owen acknowledges the conflict of interest.
"Well, I appreciate your enormous help in expanding Grey Sloan so far. But trust me, leaving you out of the case this time will save your from potential headaches and marriage crisis."
"That's alright. Just let me know if you need a consult. I'm all for Grey Sloan." Owen clinks his bottle to Derek's and Jackson's.
"After all these years I still admit it's not easy to be an Avery. April and I argued a lot about putting Jane onto the board after her sixteenth birthday. The girls completely lack of interest in business and April is upset that they don't have enough time for school work and extra curricular activities." Jackson complains to the other men.
"April told me you fled away. So that's the reason?" Owen chuckles.
"I had to attend a meeting with the Foundation in Boston. I didn't flee!" Jackson rolls his eyes.
"It's alright. Meredith and I still sometimes argue about how I put my career first and hers second. It's not true, but it's so hard to change her belief."-Derek admits.
"Cristina is an overbearing mother, according to the kids. I mean I appreciate the fact that she raises them so well, but they are grown ups now and I respect them if they want to go their own ways." Owen shares his story.
"April is stressed out about my mother's attempt to pass on the legacy to the little girls. I know the kids deserve more than schoolwork and financial statements, but yes, the Harper Avery is gonna be in their hands one day, and I think it's important they are familiar with the work."
"Cheers to our problems!" Derek smiles as he raises his bottle.
….
Owen walks to the library to look for the book that April borrows him. It's a book about popular trauma surgeries in Afghanistan that Cristina gave him on his birthday. As he enters the library, he sees Teddy standing and looking out of the window to the rain. She is deep in her thoughts.
"Teddy, what are you doing?"
Teddy turns around to see her dad. "Nothing. It's kinda noisy so I just want to be alone for a few minutes. What are you doing Dad?"
"Looking for the book Front Line Surgery, A Practical Approach."
"It's in my shelf, Dad. I love that book." She smiles and walks toward to the shelf that is dedicated to her books. She pulls out the book in white cover and a piece of paper falls down to the floor.
"What is it?"-Owen asks her.
"It's the lyrics of Edelweiss that you wrote for me, Dad." She smiles, looking at the neat handwriting on the piece of pink paper that her father wrote for her when she was younger.
"Edelweiss, we haven't sung that folk song for a while. Shall we?" Owen smiles, rubbing his daughter's red head. His eyes sparkle in excitement.
"Are you tired with the chitchat, Dad?"
"No. But I would love to spend some time with my little daughter. Wait here. I'll get the guitar."
Owen brings the book to April who is sitting in the living room. He rushes back to the library to Teddy. The yellow light from the chandelier warms up the room despite the cold rain outside.
Owen takes down the guitar on the wall and sits on the crimson velvet couch. He pulls the guitar out of its cover then starts strumming a few notes to test the sound. "Sit down, sweetie". He gestures his head towards the spot next to him. Teddy gently smiles. She leaves the large window and approaches the couch. She sits down on the floor, laying a hand on her father's lap. She loves the scene in The Sound of Music, where the daughter sat on the floor and sang along Edelweiss with her father. Owen introduced the old movie to Teddy since she was five, and she can still recall every scene in the movie vividly. She loves all the songs that were played as well.
"Do you still remember the lyrics?" She asks her father.
"Of course. It's one of my favorites. "
Owen looks at his little daughter endearingly and starts strumming the guitar with his fingers. A slow, nice melody fills up the air.
Edelweiss, Edelweiss, every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright, you look happy to meet me.
He thinks about Cristina as he sings out the verses. He recalls her small, delicate frame and her bright smiles. Cristina was the one he looked for every time walking into the hospital. Every morning, she would look happy to see him, just as much as he would when he saw her.
Teddy sings along with Owen. Her soft, silvery voice naturally plays out in the atmosphere and harmonically joins his deep, warm voice. Teddy is the only one in the family who loves to sing like her father. Sometimes when the house was quiet, he took out his guitar and sang out loud his favorite songs. Whatever Teddy was doing, she usually ended up sitting next to him, singing along with him. She didn't realize since when her father's songs became her favorites.
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow.
Bloom and grow forever.
Edelweiss, Edelweiss, bless my homeland forever.
Edelweiss in an Austrian folk song but Owen and his fellow soldiers usually sang when they gathered. The song has a patriotic meaning, and it reminds him of the time being in the army, serving in the middle of the hot sandpit.
Owen continues to strum the melody as they are about to repeat the verses. He gazes at Teddy, admiring his daughter's shining braid falling on her shoulder. Flashbacks of seventeen years raising the twins visit his mind. He barely noticed time has flown by for he was always happy committed to being a father and a chief of surgery. But now, the little girl who curled up in his arms and blew spit bubbles has grown into a beautiful woman in front of him. He's aged. And it's about time he turns a new page of his life, stepping back from protecting the children and gradually letting them go to conquer their world.
Meredith and Cristina are standing near the stairs and they detect a melody coming from the library.
"Is that Owen playing the guitar?" Meredith asks her friend.
"Yeah."
"I never heard him singing. It's great. And who is singing along? Faith or Teddy?"
"Teddy. She sings well just like her dad." Cristina acknowledges.
The two women quietly tiptoe to the door of the library. Cristina doesn't want to enter and ruin the father-and-daughter moment between Owen and Teddy. She carefully observes the hero of her life, whose blue eyes sparkle with content. Despite she hates the fact that the twins resemble their father's personalities; she must admit that this scene is adorable. She loves it every time Owen and Teddy sing together.
"It's their favorite duet."-Cristina explains to Meredith.
"How romantic. It explains why you fell for him". Meredith chuckles.
Bailey was standing near the stairs talking to Jasmine when he hears the music. Curious, he excuses himself then follows the sound to the library. He stands behind Cristina and his mother, witnessing Teddy and her father singing. He is amazed by Teddy's feminine look today. She sits on the floor like a little princess in white dress, enjoying some precious time with her father. It's a breath-taking moment, Bailey thinks to himself. Bailey has known of Uncle Owen as a classic gentleman. He likes the idea that Owen raises Teddy and Faith into elegant ladies, too.
Owen and Teddy move on to their next favorite song: The Sound of Music. As her father is playing the prelude, Teddy adjusts her pose and plays with her braid. Bailey admiringly observes the girl glowing in the warm yellow shade. When she raises her voice, he feels his heart skipping a beat. He would love to enter the library, sit next to Teddy and listen to her, but he shakes his head to escape the awkward idea of getting closer to Teddy. He blushes as he realizes that his best friend's little sister takes his heart away before he and Teddy had a chance to talk more.
Cristina realizes someone is standing behind her back so she turns around.
"Hey Bailey, what are you doing?"
Bailey flushes. He is too arrogant to admit that he stands here to listen to Teddy. He looks down, murmuring;
"Mom, ah…uhm…can I borrow some money?" He asks Meredith.
"Here? Now?" Meredith's eyebrows crunch up. Before she has something else to say, Bailey murmurs:
"Never mind" then walks away. He realizes he just makes a fool of himself in front of the two mothers. The best way is to flee away from the awkward situation.
Teddy and Owen pause as they hear the conversation outside. He puts the guitar back into its cover, gesturing his head towards the door.
"Probably people are looking for us." Owen smiles.
"Yeah, I'll go join Theo and Faith." Teddy stands up, wraps her arms around her father and kisses his cheek.
Teddy stops by as she is surprised at Meredith and her mother standing outside the door. She shyly smiles as Meredith compliments her beautiful voice, then strides to the kitchen to grab some more ginger ale and fruit. She spots Zola and Faith in a corner of the house while Jasmine and Bailey in another corner of the house. Teddy smiles mischievously, remembering Jane has told her about Jasmine having a crush on Bailey. She wonders what's so special about this guy that many girls fall for him. According to Faith, Bailey also has two girls at Stanford just hoping to hang out with him. She decides to join Jasmine and help matchmaking Jasmine and Bailey, for she likes Jasmine and Jane a lot.
"Jasmine, you look gorgeous. And it's a beautiful dress." Teddy blinks her eye to Jasmine.
"Right?" Teddy turns around, waiting for Bailey's confirmation. He stutters: "Absolutely".
Teddy continues to compliment Jasmine but Bailey just stays silent. He's busy looking at Teddy, now that he is standing closer to her.
"You sing very well, Teddy." Jasmine cheerfully responds to the compliments.
"You spied me?"
"We heard someone singing and Bailey was curious so he checked you out. He thought it was Faith."-Jasmine smiles.
"Come on, you're her close friend but you don't know she has a terrible voice?" Teddy laughs out loud at Bailey's frustration.
"I don't know because she never sings"-He defends himself.
He hates that he was always having fun teasing this girl when they were little, and now it seems Teddy takes control of the situation. He also hates that he was always confident when it comes to talking to the chicks, and now here he stands, flushing and stuttering.
Jasmine excuses herself to get some more drink, leaving Bailey and Teddy alone. Teddy tends to flee from standing with Bailey, but he catches her hand and stops her before she walks away.
"Wait."
Surprised, Teddy takes her hand off Bailey's. "What?"
Bailey still doesn't let go off Teddy's hand. She can feel his hand all warm and sweaty. She tries to shake off her hand away from his.
"Let off my hand, Bailey." She rolls her eyes, full of surprise.
Bailey just realizes what he's doing. He abruptly lets go off her hand and stutters: "It's…a beautiful song. What's the name?" He tries to find something to talk about.
"Edelweiss. It's my dad's and my favorite song."
"Your dad sings very well. I never knew Uncle Owen has so many talents."
Teddy laughs out loud "Of course, he's talented. What about me? How do I sing?" She innocently asks Bailey.
"Breathtakingly beautiful." He murmurs.
Teddy is shy at Bailey's sincere comment. She just realizes Bailey is not the cranky brother that he has been to her for the last seven teen years. She feels awkward so she tries to walk away.
"I've got to find Faith. See you around, bro." She emphasized the word bro before sneaking away. Bailey sighs. He doesn't even know what he is doing. Falling for Teddy may be the craziest idea he's ever come up with, given her mother is the legendary Cristina Yang and her father is Uncle Owen Hunt, who he respects and feels afraid at the same time.
Cristina has been observing Bailey since he stood behind her back watching Teddy. She spotted him abruptly held her daughter's hand and gave stolen glances to the girl as Teddy engaged in other talks with her friends. Owen approaches Cristina and Meredith with a glass of sangria and excuses themselves:
"Meredith, can I borrow my wife?" He puts his arm on Cristina's shoulders.
"She's all yours." Meredith cheerfully responds.
Owen guides Cristina to the area below the stairs where it's quieter. He looks at her as she drinks up her sangria.
"What?" Cristina raises her eyebrows.
"I miss you. You've been with Meredith and Callie all night. You need to spend some time with your husband, too." He leans over and kisses her sweet lips filled with sangria taste.
"You taste like sangria." He chuckles.
"And you taste like egg rolls." She laughs.
"It's nice to have a multicultural feast."
"Uh huh. Egg rolls dipped in honey mustard is the best combination. I told ya."- She murmurs, reaching for another playful kiss from Owen.
"Shepherd is excited that Faith and Bailey make the best study buddies. He's been dreaming about the two becoming a couple. I don't want to tell him that we can't be the in laws because Faith is in love with another guy." Owen pulls Cristina into the library, placing her onto his lap.
"We can still be the in laws." She smiles mischievously, wrapping her arm around his neck.
"How come?"
"Bailey has a crush on Teddy, if I'm correct."
"Oh no, it can't be. She's not even eighteen yet. And she needs to finish her Biochemistry degree in Summa Cum Laude before she can date any guy." Owen shakes his head furiously.
"Why is it when it comes to dating, you're so strict to the kids? They'll be fine. They'll be just as cool as me." Cristina rolls her eyes.
"Just like you're strict to them when it comes to their study. I dare not imagine them dating the wrong guys, Cristina. Who knows the guys come to Faith or Teddy because they know her mother is Cristina Yang? They'll take advantage of the girls. Look at Faith, she went tattooing because of a guy."
"Relax, Owen." Cristina places a gentle kiss on his cheek. "If they know the mother is Cristina Yang, then they know the father is former Major Owen Hunt, who can shoot a target with a sniper from a 7000 feet distance." She bites her lips, smiling mysteriously. "Besides, I think it's kinda cool to tattoo a lover's name on one's chest. I think it's kinda…sexy…" Cristina gently plays with Owen's auburn curls.
"What happens to the Tiger Mother?" He chuckles.
"Maybe…I should go and have a CYOH tattoo on my chest one day." She smiles.
"Okay, that's even sexier." He buries his face into Cristina's voluminous hair and inhales the fresh scent.
"Erh hm.." Jackson fakes a cough as he enters the library and witnesses the hosts getting intimate with one another.
"What do you need, Jackson?" Cristina turns around, laughing cheerfully along with Owen.
"We're looking for you two…Meredith suggests we stick around the fireplace and have a cozy gathering since it's still raining heavily."
Cristina climbs off Owen's lap. He stands up, gesturing his head towards the library.
"That's a great idea. I'll turn on the fireplace in the library. We can gather here and have some red wine. It's much warmer in here than in the living room."
Owen turns on the gas fireplace and cleans up the books that scatter on the table. The guests start to appear in the library with their wines and food on their hands.
"It's much cozy in here. And I always love your library." Callie smiles at Owen.
"Come on in, I guess it's already a mess in the kitchen and living room." He grins.
Meredith has been buzzing around, trying to catch Faith. Every time she sees Owen's oldest daughter, she insists the girl on playing a piece of music for her. However busy he was as a single father, Owen always made time to take Faith to piano classes since she was four. Meredith and Derek sometimes helped picked up the girl after class if Owen had an emergency surgery. Personally, Meredith felt contented when she was invited to Faith's recitals. She felt proud for she was significant in Faith's achievements.
"Come on, Faith. We love listening to you playing!" Meredith insists.
"I forget everything!" Faith grimaces as Meredith catches her up eventually. She pulls the girl into the library.
"No you don't. You played piano for thirteen years. You can't easily forget." Meredith smiles victoriously as she pins Faith on the piano bench.
"Please, Faith, you play beautifully, a sonata will be great." Arizona smiles, knowing that it will make people do what she requests.
Everyone gathers around the piano where Faith reluctantly sits down.
"How about a relaxing piece? A sonata may be melancholic given the cold rain outside." She murmurs.
"Wonderful." Derek smiles as he places his hand on Meredith's shoulder.
Faith flips over the familiar piano book then decides to go with a piece of Bach that she favorites. Her slender fingers start to play on the ivory white and the charcoal black keys of the Prelude in C Major. The grand piano fills the air with the sweet, mesmerizing tune. The guests silently enjoy the sound of music.
Cristina and Owen stand afar from the library, observing their daughter taking away the guests' hearts. She wraps her hand around his waist and leans on his shoulder. She knows Owen is filled with pride, for he has raised the adopted child into a beautiful classy woman. Most important of all, he nurtured the girl with love. He was born to be a great father, she thinks to himself.
"Another one, please." Callie insists on Faith as she finishes the last notes of the Prelude.
"I really don't remember much. Oh, it's Theo and Teddy's party. Come over here, dudes, you can play a song for the guests!" Faith's eyes brighten up as she figures out she can pass on the burden to her siblings.
Cristina speaks up from the corner of the room:
"Oh, don't ask for Teddy. She rarely practiced arpeggio."
"Ma!" Teddy turns around and looks at her mother, pouting.
"Jane, why don't you come over and play some music for us? You play really well." Cristina asks Jane who is standing near the bookshelves with her ginger ale.
"Oh, I don't remember any piece of music. I would need my book here." Jane politely declines.
"Teddy, what is the duet that you and Jane used to play together?" Faith blinks her eyes at Teddy, half smiling.
"It's Canon in D"-Teddy smiles.
"Come on, Jane, you and Teddy can duet the Canon in D. You two played that piece so well together." Faith walks towards Jane and pins her to the piano with encouraging words.
"Oh, I don't…I can't play today, my hands are sore. Theo can play my part." Teddy smiles mischievously, elbowing her brother.
Cristina secretly smirks, knowing her daughter is setting Theo to play against Jane. She cheers:
"Yay, come on Theo, show the girls how well you play."
Owen and Meredith turn around and look at her.
"What? Competition is good! Come on Theo! Whoever plays better gets a $50 movie gift card from Alex!" Cristina cheerfully announces.
"Wait, why am I giving away the gift card?"Alex rolls his eyes to everyone's laughter.
"Jane, show Theo your talents!" Callie enthusiastically cheers.
"Come on dude." Bailey pats Theo's back.
Jane smiles as she turns around and gives Theo a defiant look. Theo grins in respond. He walks over and sits to the left of Jane on the bench. He loves that this girl is always naturally confident. Her calmness when being with him excites him even further. He turns over to Jane: "Shall we?"
"Let's."
Faith smiles as she watches her brother playing the duet along with Jane. This is the first time that she carefully pays attention to Jane playing the piano. All she can recall is Teddy and Jane playing together some piece of music when they were nine or ten. Jane sometimes came over and had sleepovers with Teddy when they were young. Jane is playing the notes perfectly; seems like the girl learned the Canon by heart.
Theo doesn't show any sign of being superior in this situation. He makes no mistake in coordinating with Jane to create a beautiful upbeat sound. Even though he has to rely on the sheets to play his portion, he practiced many duets with Teddy before and they even performed on stage once. So he's not nervous at all that Jane knows the music by heart. He's just enjoying her existence next to him as they play the Canon to their hearts' content.
"Is there something going on? Theo and Jane, are they… a thing?"-Meredith quietly tiptoes to Cristina's spot and whispers to her ears.
"Uh huh, I think so." Cristina smiles mischievously.
Everyone applauds as Theo and Jane finish the Canon. Callie walks over them and grins.
"Uhm, it's still hard to tell who plays better. Maybe another song?"
Jane turns around and looks at Theo in excitement: "How about the Marche Militaire by Schubert? It's hardcore."
Theo looks at the girl who is sweating due to intensive concentration. Her shiny sweats make her glow in the yellow shade.
"Of course. I know that duet."
They start to play another piece of music, this time with faster tempo and more complicated chords. Jane is confident with the song for she played it really well with her friend in the final exam of the piano class. She thinks she can defeat Theo. But he's calmly running his fingers on the keys. He knows the Marche Militaire well because he and Teddy had practiced before, both in left and right position.
"They play very well. Competition is good for them. Jane was never that enthusiastic in practicing the piano like this." April whispers to Jackson as he sips up his sangria.
"I bet it's not just pure competition. There's a fire going on. Theo must come and have a serious talk with me if he wants to take Jane out for a date. She's just sixteen." Jackson wraps his arm around April's shoulder, realizing what's going on between the kids.
"Alright, I think the gift card belongs to…Jane. What do you think?" Alex fakes a cough.
"Of course, the girl plays beautifully." Arizona walks toward the grand piano, rubbing Jane's hair.
Theo smiles. He quietly walks away to grab his drink on the table. He knew beforehand that Jane would receive the gift card, but he thoroughly enjoys playing his heart out along with Jane, to everyone's witness. He thinks the girl is just like his mother Cristina Yang. She knows who she is, she is aware how great she is.
"Don't be sad, son. You played very good." Cristina reaches for Theo's long arm and pulls him over her to hug him. Her son is much taller and bigger than her now, but she always love to hold him in her arms.
"What a great night. I'll help you guys clean up before we leave." April offers to help cleaning. She exits the library and everyone starts to follow her.
Theo pretends to pick up the leftovers on the table and lingers in the library a little longer. He hopes Jane won't walk away immediately, and it seems like she understands that. He waits until everyone has left then he walks over her. He can't hide his happiness in his eyes.
"You took off your braces. How does it feel?"
"A little painful, I couldn't eat tonight. But it feels great." She genuinely smiles.
"You look…cute" And Theo can't wait any longer. He kisses Jane on her cheek. He gives Jane his first kiss. "Thanks for coming over."
Jane blushes. She looks down. "Theo."
"Can I…ask you to go out and see a movie with me?" He murmurs.
"I win the gift card, Theo. Do you mean I have to pay?" Jane chuckles.
"No, no. I mean I will buy. I just wonder if you…want to go out with me. Like on a….date?" It's Theo's turn to blush.
"You'll need to come over my house and ask my Dad. But I'd love to, Theo." Jane cheerfully talks in her high pitch.
"Sure. Let's get out of here first." He leads Jane out of the library.
After every one helps Owen and Cristina cleaning up the leftover, they start to depart. It's still raining heavily outside so Owen and Theo carry the umbrellas and help the ladies to their cars.
"Thanks for coming even it's raining outside, Aunt April". Teddy gives April a grateful hug.
"Thanks, Aunt Callie and Arizona. And Sophia." Theo takes turn to hug the guests goodbye.
Faith is cleaning the library while Cristina and Owen spend some time alone in the living room.
"Look at your kids, Owen. Just right out of high school and they already have people to lay eyes on." Cristina complains.
"I know. We have a new job now: making sure the kids maintain their academic performance while keeping them away from love troubles." Owen pulls his wife closer to him.
"Blame yourself, Owen. You turn my son into a sexy guy that Jane can't take her eyes off him. You'd better talk to him before Jackson brings Theo to court for statutory rape." She looks at Owen, smiling mischievously.
"Don't go there…I'll talk to Theo. But he's our son. He's raised into a gentleman." Owen rolls his eys.
"Uh huh, let's see if he can control himself well like his father." She murmurs
"Oh you know I can't control myself every time I'm with you…" Owen buries his face into Cristina's hair, responding in a flirting tone.
"And Jasmine likes Bailey, yet Bailey likes our Teddy, did you notice that? So, she'll be pulled into a love triangle that I know she never wants to get involved." Cristina talks in her monotonous voice, thinking about the conflict between Owen, Teddy Altman and her.
"Wow, I don't know about that. You paid close attention to them."
"It's woman instinct, Owen. I'm just afraid our daughter will break the boy's heart. She's a tomboy." Cristina laughs out loud.
"She's not. She's very feminine and cute in a dress today. She's as beautiful as her mother."
"Theo should learn those flirty words from you, Owen."
"He won't. He has his signature lines." Owen chuckles.
"I just worry about Faith. She looks okay but I hope she really is." Cristina intertwines her fingers into his.
As Cristina mentions Faith, the doorbell rings. They both stand up and look at each other with surprise.
"Who comes over at this time?"
"Someone left something at our house?"
Cristina and Owen advance the hallway but since Faith is in the library, she reaches to the door before them. It's still raining cats and dogs outside, and there stands a tall guy in his dark coat. He is completely soaked in the rain. Cristina can see her daughter is surprised to see the stranger. She eventually let the man step inside.
"I know we broke up, but why did you turn down the cardiac sarcoma research for some crappy gestational diabetes trial? You have the greatness in you, Faith." The man gazes at Faith longingly yet with slight disappointment.
"It's over, Daniel. Don't bother. How can you find my house?" She murmurs.
The water keeps dripping from the guy's coat onto the floor. He looks at her without uttering any other words. Suddenly he wraps his hand around the nape of her neck and leans down to gives Faith a deep kiss.
"I love you, Faith. I love you very much."
Cristina and Owen observe the whole scene in amazement. She drops her jaw while he rolls her eyes to see the tall guy kissing their daughter passionately at the front door. The young couple looks just like the famous Unconditional Surrender Statue in San Diego.
Cristina immediately gets back to her demanding demeanor. She raises her voice: "You turned down a cardiac sarcoma research for a diabetes trial?"
Hearing her mother's scolding, Faith turns around with frustration in her eyes. Owen is calmer. He fakes a cough:
"Who is this, Faith?"
"Ah…uhm…it's Daniel Bernard….my mentor." She stammers.
No one could utter another word. There is just heavy raining and thunder roaring in the dark night.