**This chap is esp. for you, ohsnap72. Hope you will be back to twittersphere and ffsphere soon.
**I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. We will be back to Crowen next chapter. What do you think about pushing it up and have one chapter per day? I would try to do that if you can give me more reviews. I know many of you are back to school soon.
"Wake up, kids." Cristina's voice echoes the hallway upstairs. Unlike Owen who was often gentle and patient with the children until they completely woke up, she slams each door open and yellsloudly into the rooms: "Quick! Quick! We have things to do today!" Next, she walks towards the end of the hallway to pull up the curtain. As Cristina makes a U-turn, she visits each room again and pulls the blanket out of her children.
Faith stumbles out of her bed, half sleeping: "I miss my freedom when living in the apartment."
Teddy follows Faith. She scratches her messy hair. "Me too."
Theo closes the door and mumbles: "Me three."
"It's unlikely of you to wake up this early, Mom." Faith complains.
"It's Saturday and we have things to do! Come on, someone please heat up the chicken soup for your father. He's sick." Cristina orders.
"…because he was soaked up in the rain…." Theo giggles.
"…due to being romantic with his wife…." Teddy shakes her head.
"You're the reason he's sick, Mom. You should heat the chicken soup for him." Faith rolls her eyes.
The children run into Owen's bedroom, leaving their mother alone in the kitchen, feeling hopeless.
"Come on, Dad. How can we celebrate our birthday if you're sick?" Teddy climbs onto the bed and hugs her father.
"It's just light fever. I took some medicine already. I'll be fine in the afternoon." Owen coughs.
"You are never sick. What happens to your super duper immune system?" Theo wonders.
"Are you able to get out of bed? Mom is heating the chicken soup for you." Faith concerns about her father.
"I am." Owen tries to sit up and crawls out of the bed.
Cristina already prepares the breakfast for everyone. It's not her routine but today she decides to make an exception because Owen is sick and she wants her children to sleep a little bit more and enjoy their weekend at home.
"Are you better?" Cristina glances at Owen.
"Uh huh. The drug starts to kick in." Owen mumbles.
"So, Teddy and Theo, I would like you two to go to Kraums with me today. You've been playing around at Grace Sloan since diaper but I rarely let you visit Kraums. Today is a good day to have a deeper look at the Institute." Cristina beams at the twins.
"So that's the hell?" Theo asks his mother.
"What?" Cristina is confused.
"The tradition is on the 18th birthday, we have to experience hell before enjoy paradise. That's what you said. Is this the hell then?" Teddy explains to Cristina.
Cristina rolls her eyes to think for a second before she gladly says: "Yes."
"Good. I thought you were gonna say we're also adopted like you did to Faith on her 18th birthday." Teddy sighs.
"….which I already knew since I was six…" Faith continues the conversation.
"Come on, Teddy, you have my beauty. What makes you think you're adopted?" Cristina snaps at Teddy.
"Oh, I have Dad's beauty: red hair and blue eyes. I inherited your small-frame gene and I'm the petite in the house. I'm even shorter than Faith. And it's because of your gene." Teddy shakes her head.
"You inherit your mother's intelligence, kids." Owen chuckles.
"Faith does not inherit anything from you two and she's the smartest." Theo supports his twin.
"…which explains why education and diligence make up 99% of a genius." Cristina stares at Theo.
"Fine, I think we're on the wrong track again. Let's focus on the chicken soup and the Institute and our party after this." Teddy nods her head.
Teddy dresses up in a well cut business outfit. She walks down the stairs; her mother and brother are waiting for her. Glancing at Theo, she can tell he's been nervous because today's Saturday and since he's in town, he expects Jane to respond to his letter.
Teddy pats Theo's back and smiles: "Wait. Just wait."
Cristina tours Theo and Teddy around the Institute. She explains to them about the ongoing projects as they pass by the laboratories. Next, they walk to the hospital wing of the Institute, where state of the art surgical technologies are applied to perform complicated surgeries.
Subsequently, Cristina leads the twins to a smaller building which is mainly for administration. Before they enter the conference room, they stop at the door. Cristina stares at them for a moment then smiles:
"Okay, whether this is heaven or hell is up to you. You are going to attend a board meeting, which means you get to know the top secrets of the Institute. So yes, I'm doing what Uncle Jackson did to Jasmine and Jane when they were fifteen. But you are here because you are eighteen. You are grown ups now. I want you to have a thorough look at my work and decide if you can handle this huge responsibility when I pass it on to you, if I ever pass it on to you."
Teddy and Theo slip out a sigh and nod.
"Good. I introduced Faith to a board meeting when she was 18, and she was doing great. Now, once you come in, you will sign non-disclosure paperwork before the meeting starts."
"That means we can't say anything to anyone?" Theo stutters.
"Right. That means I trust you as a business person, Theo. You know Grey Sloan is also one my company's opponent, so you two can't tell Jane, or Jasmine." Cristina explains to them.
"What about Dad?" Teddy asks her mother.
"Technically, he's not relevant because he's the executive, not a board member at Grey Sloan. So, I usually tell your Dad about my plans when it's the right time. But it has to be a right time, otherwise he may unintentionally leak information to The Averys and that hurts my company."
"I understand." Teddy nods.
"So, you think you can handle all this?" Cristina looks at Theo.
"Yes, Ma." He smiles.
Cristina opens the door of the conference room. She gently smiles: "Ladies and gentlemen, Theodore Yang Hunt and Theodora Yang Hunt, my children, who will be present at our meeting today as I noted last week."
Every one gently nods their heads to greet Teddy and Theo.
"Teddy and Theo, this is Mr. Alan Dane, representative of Kraums Institute, Zurich Branch. He works for Dr. Preston Burke. This is Mrs. Joyclin Hanson, head of Finance Department. Mr. Freidrick Lucas, Executive Director of Washington State, Board of Education…"
It's five p.m. and the trio leaves Kraums Institute for home. It was rather a long, stressful yet productive working day and Cristina is glad she gets her children to understand her work. She relaxes in the back seat as Theo drives the car and Teddy sits next to him.
"It was pretty amazing! I mean, Ma, I'm glad I got a chance to sit in there and listens to all the projects and calculations. Oh but I wanted to tell you one thing: I look at other hospitals' budgets and your overhead expense is 2% higher.
Cristina secretly smiles as she listens to Teddy's comment. She realizes this girl really has a thing for financial analysis. She gently responds: "Good observation, Teddy. We've been working on cutting the overhead expense in hope that we have a higher net income in the fourth quarter."
"Can you take me to other meetings if I have a chance to be at home?" Teddy turns around and gazes at her mother excitedly.
Cristina leans forward to rub Teddy's hair and smiles: "I sure can. Okay, now we're heading home for birthday party. Are you excited?"
"Yesss!" Both Theo and Teddy yells out loud.
As they are one mile away from the house, Cristina secretly pulls out her Iphone and starts recording a video.
"Teddy, what do you think your Dad gives you?"
"I don't care, as long as it's different than Theo's." Teddy pouts.
"What do you want, Theo?" Cristina bites her lips to hide her excitement as she continues to record the video of Theo driving home.
"I told Dad I want a Celetron telescope. I hope he remembers. I also don't like to receive the same gift as Teddy's." He groans.
As Theo makes the last right turn before arriving the house, the twin spot two huge red bows that pop up in their front yard. The bows wrap around what look like two cars: a black one and a pearl one.
Teddy pokes her head out of the glass window and waves her hands in excitement: "Oh my god! Oh my god! We've got new cars, Theo!"
Theo turns around to look at Cristina and gasps before continuing driving: "Oh my god! Ma! Why don't you tell me?"
As she continues to record the kids' wild reactions towards the birthday presents, she cheerfully answers: "It's a surprise! How can we tell you?"
Theo abruptly brakes his mom's car then rushes to the presents along with Teddy. Owen and Faith are standing at the front yard, waiting for them: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Teddy runs to her father and hugs him tight: "Thank you, Dad." While Theo picks Cristina up and carries her to the front door: "Thanks Ma. I love you!"
"Check out your presents." Faith chuckles.
Theo walks around his black Lexus IS250 f-sport in amazement while Teddy gets into her pearl Mercedes Benz C-250. Then she walks out of the car and grimaces at her father: "Dad, why is Theo's car more beautiful than mine?"
Owen rolls his eyes then purrs: "Come on, it's a boy's car. Mercedes C class is for chicks like you."
Cristina crosses her arms as she stands next to Owen: "You keep asking for a different present from Theo's and now you're complaining?"
"Can we switch, Ma? I like Theo's car." Teddy sheepishly smiles.
"No way, Dad knows what I like. Thank you sir!" Theo yells out cheerfully.
"Thank your sis as well, kids. She chooses the color."
"Thanks Faith! I love you." Teddy hugs her sister.
"Okay, I'm starving. Let's come inside and see what we have for dinner." Cristina strides to the door.
"Best birthday ever. High five, Theo!" Teddy waves her hand for Theo to pat his on hers.
After a hearty dinner at 7 p.m., Teddy changes into a nice black sequin dress and descends the stairs. She spots her parents sitting with Faith in the living room, talking about her schoolwork at Stanford.
"How are you feeling, Dad? " She jumps to the place next to her father.
"Better. Where you are going? A party at your friend's house?" Owen wraps his arm around Teddy.
"Nope. My friends organized a birthday party for me last Friday already. Where's Theo? Why isn't he here to listen to Ma's surgeries?" She chuckles.
"He's in his room. I notice that boy's been sad since morning despite the meeting and the car. Does he really like Jane or is he still sad about Chelsea?" Cristina gestures her head towards Theo's room upstairs.
"Let's see if I can do something for him on his birthday." Teddy smiles mischievously then she grabs her sister's arm: "Faith, I need you to go with me to a place."
"Now? I'm enjoying sitting here."
"Please go with me. And dress up nicely. We need some sisterhood time." Teddy grins.
Teddy pulls her sister inside the banquet right at the moment cocktails are served and live music is played out. She immediately grabs two cocktails from a waiter and passes one to her sister: "you're the designated driver so don't get drunk. Just pretend we're invited here."
"Why don't you tell me earlier so I put on a better dress? And you can't drink alcohol, Teddy. You have allergy." Faith grimaces.
"I know. Just enjoy yourself and find doctors to engage in conversations. I will call you when I'm done. I'm doing this for Theo, Teddy. We need to find Jane."
Bailey was talking to his mother's friend from Seattle Pres when he spotted the familiar figure of Faith. "Hey, you're here. Are you parents here, too?" Bailey cheerfully greets his friend.
"Nope. According to Teddy, I'm the designated driver. How's the fundraising going?"
"I think it went pretty well. I even raised some money from a few medical equipment companies myself. It's a great banquet. Hey Faith, I know this very nice guy. You should talk to him and dance with him. You'll be inspired by his contribution to cardiothoracic specialty." Bailey smiles.
"Oh, no need to. I will just sit here and…" Faith blushes and shakes her head.
"C'mon. You really will be inspired by him. He's a fourth year resident at UC Davis. He's phenomenal." Bailey places his hand at Faith's back and slowly leads her through the crowd to meet the guy.
"Who is your dance partner?" Faith asks him as they walk across the ballroom.
"Jasmine Avery." He answers in a monotonous tone.
"I thought you have feelings for Teddy?"
"She broke my heart, apparently, before I had a chance to date her. I told you." Bailey laughs sarcastically.
Bailey quickly resumes to his role as Jasmine's partner after he introduced Faith to his friend. He's glad that he attends the banquet tonight because he achieves many purposes out of it. First of all, he gets to know many amazing people in the medical field. Second of all, he has helped his parents raise more money than he expected. Third of all, he wants to keep his promise to Teddy because that defines who he is. And last of all, Jasmine looks completely stunning tonight in a light pink gown, and why can't he simply enjoy the night because he paid $200 for the ticket to Seattle?
Bailey grabs a martini as he stands at the bar, quietly observing Jasmine. He recalls being something more than a regular brother to her in their parents' parties since they were toddlers. Due to the age difference, Zola, Bailey, Faith, Jasmine and Sophia form a circle acquaintance while Teddy, Theo, Jane and uncle Alex's kids enclose another circle acquaintance. Bailey admitted than he had considered Teddy nothing than his close friend's sister for the last seventeen years, and he always loved to teases the youngsters, especially Teddy, until she got angry. Jasmine was always someone easier to have a conversation with because she was roughly at his age. Things were much simple back then when they were young and had no idea what love is.
There's in fact nothing to complain about being next to Jasmine. She inherits the angelic smile from her mother April Kepner and beautiful eyes from her father Jackson Avery. She's smart, charming and sweet. As a junior at University of Washington, she loves to ask him for advices about schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Bailey loves to share his experience to any students that he knows, such as Jasmine, because he is passionate about his career towards medicine.
So, Jasmine is almost flawless in his eyes. He would love to be her big brother and mentor, helping her achieve in any way he can. He could be anything she wishes him to be, except her boyfriend. He cannot have feelings for her because another girl took his heart away. His thoughts wander to a girl standing in the corner of the room, who is short, small, flawed, troublesome, and who eats popcorn like an elephant.
Bailey shakes his head, trying to remind himself that medicine is his sole focus at the moment. He doesn't want to think about that little girl in the sequin back dress. They ended their relationship before it got a chance to bloom.
Bailey comes back to Jasmine as he spots Teddy approaching her as well. He just wants to make sure Teddy knows that he is working the second promise.
"Sorry, I was thirsty. Let's go back to the hemoglobin curve that we discussed. I can explain it to you more." Bailey smiles at Jasmine.
"Hey Jas, hello Bailey. Have you seen Jane?" Teddy gives them a huge grin as if yesterday she was not crying at all. Wait, did she call Bailey brother?
"I last saw her an hour ago. I guess she's out to the yard and enjoys some fresh air?"
"Jas, guess what my dad bought me as my birthday present? A Mercedes Benz! I'm over the moon now, so ignore it if you see me smiling all the time." Teddy continues to grin in excitement. She, however, completely ignores Bailey.
"Wow. That's awesome. You can drive us around the town!" Jasmine genuinely congratulates the little girl.
"Sure. That's why I'm looking for Jane. I really want to give her a drive after I officially turn 18. Can she have a sleepover with me tonight, Jas? I need to catch up with her." Teddy purrs her lips and gives an absolutely yearning look.
"I think my parents will be fine with it. As long as Jane agrees to have a sleep over." Jasmine smiles at Teddy.
Bailey gazes at Teddy, half amused and half upset. He knows the girl is doing all of this for her brother, and that makes him like her and hate her at the same time. Teddy must have understood his feeling for her, but she chose to ignore it. Fine, then. As he said, his sole focus is medicine.
"I'm glad Bailey is here. Are you two dancing?" Teddy's eyes sparkle. She smiles mischievously.
"We are. Jasmine here is an excellent dance partner. And we worked together to raise pretty big bucks. It's amazing, right, Jasmine?" Bailey glances at Jasmine and smiles.
"Great." Teddy smiles at them. "Sorry I sneaked into the banquet without invitation, Jas. I'm just here to look for Jane. She's got see my car today, otherwise I can't give her aride because my dad will have it shipped to Berkeley for me on Monday."
"I know, smartass. Hey, how about an ice cream outing at Paciugo?" Jasmine grins.
"Sure. They have amazing chocolate almond flavor. I can never have enough of it."
Bailey recalls how Teddy is in love with chocolate almond and four other ice cream flavors. She once told him all she wished was a birthday icecream cake made of her five favorite flavors.
"Jasmine!" It's Catherine Avery calling her granddaughter from afar. "Excuse me." Jasmine leaves the two alone.
"See you later. I'm leaving tomorrow at noon. So I guess we'll meet again around Thanksgiving." Teddy smiles as if nothing happened.
"I'm here, just so you know, I keep my promise." Bailey glances at Teddy with daring eyes.
"Thank you. I'm glad Jasmine didn't invite Jason. Now I've got to find Jane." My, this girl really has a diplomatic skill. She's cold and determined. No one can touch her weakness and make her cry except her family.
"Good luck. I'm glad everything turns out the way you planned. We're just some mere pawns in the chess game you're playing." Bailey muttered darkly as she walked away.
Turning around, she gazes at him, her eyes reddened. "Don't you think your hurtful words would fly unnoticed, 've been teasing me with your harsh words since I was a little girl, and I keep forgiving you for that. You should have known I was surprised to see you treating me nicely since my graduation party and I do need time to adjust to this profound change." She grumbles.
"Then why would you lie about your birthday to me? I mean, if you don't like me, and you didn't want a date, and you felt like I forced you, why didn't you just spit it out? You acted like you have no choice but to obey my request. The asking me to see your dad, or waiting for you until you're eighteen, or lying about the birthday are childish behaviors, Teddy. It makes me feel as if I'm a bad guy with evil intention who is trying to seduce a good girl."
Teddy's tears quietly fall down on her face. "Did I ever say I don't want to go on a date with you? I said yes, for God's sake. But I think it's totally ok to wait until I'm 18, or the guy who asks me out talking to my father first. I have never been in love before, Bailey. I'm carefree. I have boys who liked me back in high school but I considered them friends because I want to wait for a guy who's as nice as my father. Believe it or not, I don't want to waste my time being heartbroken because of some stupid guys. So I take caution in falling in love. And you are the first guy who makes me confused. You are the first one I want to ask my dad whether he's NOT gonna break my heart."
"Teddy," he sighs and gently wipes the tears on her face. "We can't just argue and then I lose because you cry."
"And for your information, it's totally okay for a girl to hide her birthday. If you really like me, you should try to find out my birthday. I was testing you. And you failed. So don't be upset now thinking that I was lying." She continues.
"Please, stop crying. We can go and talk outside."
"No. I know I was out of line to ask you to be Jasmine's partner today. I did it for my brother, and it was stupid. I wished I came up with the idea of asking Jane to sleep over earlier. Anyway, I'm gonna go and apologize to Jasmine. Thank you for keeping your promise anyway. Now, excuse me, I have to find Jane. We're gonna leave tomorrow. And I want Theo and Jane to talk."
Teddy wipes her tears and leaves Bailey before he has a chance to speak up.
Jasmine walks towards Bailey. He presses his lips tight, afraid that she might have heard the whole conversation between him and Teddy.
"You don't have to say anything. I know what's going on, and I'm not sad. Teddy keeps bringing me chances to be with you but I know your heart is with her. And we can't choose who we fall in love with, can we? I know she's trying to make Jane talk to Theo, and I am okay with that. I've got to know Teddy and Theo as sweet and kind teenagers. I'm glad me and my sister have good friends." Jasmine glances at Bailey.
"Jas, I'm sorry. Thank you for understanding me. I'm your big brother, and I'll help you in any way I can. I just can't have feelings for you." Bailey sighs. He feels like he has lifted up a big weight in his heart.
Faith excused herself from the crowd to go outside and enjoy some fresh air. She spots Jane wandering around the balcony so she walks by and talks to her.
"Hi, Jane. How are you enjoying the banquet so far?"
"It's great. How's Theo doing, Faith. Is he better?"
Knowing she has pushed the right button, Faith pulls Jane to a beautiful bench and sits down. "He is better in terms of moving on from his past. But he's not better in terms of waiting for your reply whatsoever. You really don't want to talk to him again, Jane? I thought you also had feelings for him." Faith asks gently
"I like Theo. He's mature and charming. I don't hate Theo even when he left, Faith. I just don't want to be a backup girl, you know. What if he's sweet to me today and tomorrow all he can think about is his past girlfriend and he becomes moody? If I like him with all my heart, wouldn't it be unfair to me to be treated like that?"
Faith gently smiles.
"Jane, Theo has recovered for twenty months now. I know there's no guarantee that he will always be happy and shiny to you, but at least he tried to move on. He tried to get to know you. He tried all of that because he likes you a lot. You are the one that provokes his well buried feelings and you make him happy again. And I know Theo, he's not the type of boy that flirts around. If he likes you, he'll want to have only you in his mind. So he might have troubles doing so at times, but it's great that he tries to have only you in his mind."
Jane stays silent as she listens to Faith's advice.
"Look, sweetie, I'm taking not on behalf of Theo. I'm talking as a girl who has to sacrifice a little to have the love that she wants. You're still young to hear my story, but you and I have one thing in common: you like Theo; I love my guy with all my heart. So I think it's okay to compromise a little bit to be in love. Because what's important is you like him, too. So, why don't you give him another chance? Why don't you let him correct his mistake? If you like him then it's worth trying. I mean, you can always dumb him later if you decide your love is too much to handle."
Jane chuckles as she hears Faith talking.
"It's a disorder, Jane. It's not that he loves the dead girl whatsoever. She was his best friend for ten years and he was involved in the accident. And he couldn't save her. That's really a big deal. But I know the first person he has feeling for is you, not the girl."
"Okay, Faith. You don't need to defend him that much. I will talk to Theo. Yes, he and I deserve another chance to get to know each other." Jane smiles.
Teddy runs out to the balcony to Jane and Faith. She gasps. "Hey girl, can you believe my parents bought me a Mercedes Benz for my birthday?"
"Wow, that's incredible. You need to drive me around. You're turning 18 tomorrow." Jane exclaims in excitement.
"Exactly. That's why you need to have a sleepover with me tonight. I'll drive you around town tomorrow before I flight at noon. My dad will ship my car on Monday so I won't have another chance to drive you until I come back to Seattle."
"Really? Are you plotting something? I know you, girl." Jane stares at Teddy mischievously.
"I'm serious. Come on. It's eleven now. Call your parents and we can leave now. I want to be at home for my real birthday." Teddy pulls her sister and her friend up and so they leave the banquet.
"Ma, Dad, look who's here." Teddy yells out loud as she enters the house.
"Why so loud, Teddy? Oh hello Jane. How's the banquet?" Owen looks up and greets Jane as he and Cristina are watching TV in the living room.
"Wonderful, uncle Owen. I wish you two were there." Jane politely responds.
"Jane is having a sleepover with me, Ma. I'm gonna drive her around tomorrow morning before I leave." Teddy grins.
Cristina and Owen stare at Teddy, smile and shake their heads. They know their little daughter is bringing Jane back for Theo.
"Theo!" Teddy yells out loud. She's always the noisiest girl in the family.
"What's up?" Theo gets out of his room, grumbled but soon his grumpiness dissipates as he sees Jane in the living room with Teddy and his parents.
He rushes downstairs and greets her with a smile. "Hey, how are you doing?" His chest flutters with joy as he greets her.
Jane looks at him shyly. She can still recall his dark and moody face the last time she saw him. But he seems completely happy to see her now. So why can't she give him another chance?
"I'm doing great. You?" Jane beams at Theo.
"I'm great. Hey, do you want to have something to drink? We can sit the my back yard, the weather is very nice today." Theo gains his newfound confidence. He couldn't be happier that she's here with him today, on his birthday. Well, almost his birthday.
Theo pulls Jane to the backyard with two bottles of ginger ale. Cristina glances at him then whispers to Owen. "My son is as flirty as you, Owen. I wonder which girl is able to resist him."
"It's call charming, Cristina. It's in my blood, and now it's in his blood. What can I say." Owen laughs out loud.
Theo and Jane sit on the deck that looks out to the backyard. He genuinely smiles.
"Thank you for coming. You have no idea how happy I am." He mumbles as he looks to her eyes.
"Yeah, it's…great to see you. I hope you're doing well."
"Yeah, honestly, I was down for a week after I left your house, Jane. My dad had to give me some medication. I really feel sorry about that, because you looked pretty and I had planned out how I wanted to spend my night with you." He sighs.
"How often do you see her in your mind?" Jane asks. She wants to talk about it with him so she can understand him.
"I didn't think about Chelsea that often. I mean, I had nightmares and hallucinations, but they were incomplete dreams about how I tried to save someone from drowning and I ended up drowning. Not until that day, when everything was happening exactly the same way that it once happened to me, that it reminds me of the accident."
Jane can't not comprehend all the things Theo says all at once. She just sighs.
"It's like this. I buried my feelings for a long time and I had feelings again since I talked to you. It turned out badly at first, but I think it'll be ok as we go along. It's important to me that you understand that you make me feel happy again for a long time. And as a man, I want to make you feel happy as much as you do to me." He tries to explain to her.
"Was the girl your first girlfriend?" She mutters.
"She was my very best friend. But I was too young to understand what love is at 14, Jane."
"I'm not jealous with your friend or anything, Theo. I just want to understand you if I get along with you." Jane looks at Theo yearningly.
"I know. And I'm glad I feel at ease to share with you. You may move on after being in an accident. You may find it harder but eventually move on after your friend's death. You may find it almost impossible but you manage to move on because there was nothing you could do to save your friend. But those three combined? It feels like death." He almost sobs as he faces his well buried feelings.
"Theo, I'm sorry. We don't have to talk about it…"
"No, thank you for listening. It feels like closure. I finally manage to say it out loud that the whole accident feels like death." Theo inhales the air. He feels like he has removed a big stone from his heart.
Jane puts her hand on Theo's lap. "You need to remember that you were with your best friend until her last breath. You will always remember her. But now you can move on." She reassures him.
Theo and Jane lapse into a confortable silence, their knees touching, and their body heat radiating each other. Jane looks up to the clear sky with a bright moon. It's a tranquil night.
Theo has been folding the silver wrap of the chewing gum into an origami bird. He hands the little silver figure to her.
"For you." He mumbles.
"Cute. I don't expect boys to know how to do origami." Jane chuckles.
"Teddy made all those kinds of craft and she asked me to help all the time." He smiles. "Will you go out with me on another date?" He looks at her longingly.
"Looks like you have a new car. Of course you need to drive me around town tomorrow morning." Jane laughs out loud.
After changing into her pajamas, Teddy descends the stairs with a box full of books and other random items. She hears her parents' voice echoing from the living room. "What are you doing, sweetie?"
"Oh, you said the shipping service allows an extra of 40lbs, so I'm stuffing my car with things that I didn't get a chance to bring the first time." She puts the first carton box down the floor then run upstairs again to fetch the second one containing the remaining of her items.
"Why don't you do it tomorrow morning? It's 11:45p.m now, it's almost midnight."
"I don't want to rush tomorrow morning. Besides, it's full moon tonight so I'd like to be outside for a little while." She cheerfully answers her dad then carries the lighter box to her car.
Placing the box of her favorite novels and nonfictions onto the ground, Teddy looks up to the perfect moon that glows in the opaque sky with its dim light, feeling peaceful and content. She imagines her brother and Jane hand in hand in the backyard and her lips form a smile. Happy birthday dude. That's my birthday gift for you.
Teddy gently touches the sparkling paint of her new car with delight. She turns on the lights inside the vehicle and gazes at the perfection of the interior: the leather seats, the stereo system and even the cup holder. Then she sings out loud her favorite song as she opens the trunk, intending to put in the first carton box.
"Looks like somebody is very fond of the new car."
Hearing the familiar voice out of the blue, Teddy turns around to see Bailey from afar. He is leaning on his car, which parks a few feet from hers, and observing her with delight, arms and legs crossed over. Even without the black bow, he looks completely attractive in his white tuxedo shirt and pants.
"I have nothing to talk about, Dr. Shepherd." She glances at him then quickly turns away, pouting.
"Dr. Shepherd? When did I become Dr. Shepherd to you?" He drops his mouth in disbelief.
"Since yesterday evening when you announced that whatever between you and me ended." Teddy closes the trunk abruptly then leans on it. She crosses her arms and gives Bailey a challenging look.
"First, you can call me Dr. Shepherd when I receive my MD diploma. Second, I thought you were happy that what's going on between you and me ended, Miss Hunt." Bailey smirks. He opens the trunk of his vehicle and takes out a cooler.
"Miss Yang-Hunt." Teddy corrects him with a serious countenance.
"Hm, Miss Yang-Hunt? I thought Yang is your middle name." He slowly walks towards her with the cooler in one hand.
"I'm gonna change my last name into Yang-Hunt once I'm eighteen. I want my mother's last name to be included in my last name." As Teddy sees Bailey approaching her, she walks away to grab the carton box on the ground.
"That's complicated." Bailey smiles mischievously as he puts the cooler down and slowly approaches her in a few strides. He takes the heavy box from her arms and gestures towards the trunk.
"Why is it complicated?" She opens the trunk of her car then leans on the door, watching him organizing the box.
"Because if we get married and have children, their last name will be Yang-Hunt-Shepherd, and they will hate us, for it's freaking long." Bailey closes the trunk and places the cooler on top of it.
"You have wild imagination!" She shrieks to hide her blush.
"Okay, now, since you'd be leaving Seattle tomorrow, I just want to come by and say farewell." He lifts up the lid of the cooler and slowly takes out little carton cups, one by one. "Chocolate almond. Pistachio almond. Rum raisins made from artificial rum so that you won't be allergic, white chocolate truffle and strawberry, and tiramisu." Bailey places them on the roof of Teddy's new vehicle.
"Are you trying to seduce me again?" Teddy asks him.
"Seduce you? No. I just simply think you would like to have all of your favorite ice creams on your birthday. I watched Youtube and noted down the recipe because I was about to make an ice cream birthday cake for you, but I had to attend the banquet as you requested. So this is all I can do." He dips the spoon in the tiramisu and hands to her.
Teddy leans against the car's door. She swallows the spoonful of ice cream and smiles sheepishly. "Thank you for this, Bailey. I guess I can never hate you for too long."
"Try this one then you will start to like me." Bailey takes the spoon from Teddy and scoops a second spoon of pistachio almond. As he feeds her the ice cream, he stares at her lovingly. His lips form a smile.
"Delicious, as always." She giggles as the pistachio almond flavor melts on her tongue.
Bailey dips the spoon in the rum raisins this time and hands it to Teddy. He gently looks down as she swallows in delight. "Sorry I made you cry a few times. You're a cheerful girl and I only want to make you smile. I love to see you smile."
Is Bailey feeling guilty because he was the ultimate reason of her cry recently? Teddy's heart sinks a little to see him in sorrow. She gently lifts up his chin; she looks straight into his eyes and beams at him. "Please, don't blame yourself. You also cheered me up when I was sad, Bailey. You made me happy."
"Did I?" He chuckles. "I just followed my instinct. I guess I choose to love you anyway, whether you are capable of letting me or not." He gently brushes a strand of stray hair on her cheek and lightly places it behind her ear.
"I'm letting you, Bailey." Teddy smiles sheepishly.
Bailey places both of his hands against the car door with Teddy standing in between. His face moves closer to hers, and the vicinal encounter makes her tremble. A gentle wind blows and the lavender scent of her lotion is magically enchanting. He stares at her blue eyes passionately and he can see his reflection but he ignores that.
"Happy birthday, dear." He plants a gentle kiss on her little lips as his watch makes a beeping sound at 12:00 a.m.
Teddy closes her eyes and stands still, letting his soft lips caress hers. She has just had her first kiss on her eighteenth birthday.
Cristina opens the door for Owen to carry the heavier box in his arms. "Teddy, what about this box? Where do you want me….?" Owen pauses as he witnesses Bailey kissing his daughter under the moonlight.
"You're cockblocking the young couple, Owen." Cristina giggles to her husband's ear as she evaluates the situation.
Teddy drops her mouth and shoves Bailey away when hearing her father's voice. They both turn around and look nervously at Owen and Cristina standing at the front door. She unpins herself from the car door and smooths out her hair while Bailey composes himself and clears his throat.
Glancing at Teddy, Bailey finds she's smiling at him and her eyes sparkle with love. He smiles at her in response then holds her hand and walks her to the front door.
"Sir, I've liked Teddy Yang Hunt for a while now, and I would like your blessing to date your daughter."
Bailey just realizes this old-fashioned move is nowhere near awkward. Honoring Teddy's father, for him, was about honoring her, honoring the connection she had with him. And when he did that, he stood up a little straighter, felt a little more like a man.
Owen blinks his eyes a few times; he is totally unprepared for the situation. He has never envisioned the son of Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd asking for his blessing to date his eighteen year old daughter. "Uhm...ehhh..." He stutters, then he feels Cristina gently laying her hand at the nape of his back to encourage him. He looks at Teddy's eyes and feels her determination and passion. Owen sighs; his mouth forms a smile:"Alright, Bailey. You do have my blessing to date my daughter."
**bonus: check out tag #gaucung89 on Tumblr to have a look at my favorite picture of Teddy Yang Hunt on her sixth birthday. This is the picture that inspired me to develop this fictional character Teddy.