Teddy walked into the room at the community centre where she was to meet with the parents of teen moms.
"How old is your daughter," a woman asked approaching Teddy.
"She turns 21 tomorrow," Teddy replied.
"You're one of the moms that got through it with her daughter," the woman said.
"Hers and my own experience," Teddy said.
"Your own," the woman asked.
"I was 20 when I got pregnant with my first," Teddy said, "she's 46 now."
Mrs Vleeming approached, "Dr Altman."
"Hi," Teddy greeted, "here tonight Teddy is better I'm just another mom."
"How is Allison doing," Mrs Vleeming asked.
"She's good, she just took her MCAT," Teddy said, "her and Asher are engaged and get married next summer. Everly is fabulous."
"She's how old now," Mrs Vleeming asked.
"Two and a half," Teddy said, "three in May."
"And Allison is still with the dad," Mrs Vleeming asked.
"They are together," Teddy confirmed, "they're really good together."
"I've reached out to some graduates of the program to see if they would be interested in talking to some of my current girls," Mrs. Vleeming said, "has Allison mentioned it to you?"
"She's thinking about it," Teddy said, "she has a lot on her plate with Everly. Ev needs surgery for her Cerebral Palsy. I think Allison will be willing to help when things calm down a bit for her."
"Of course," Mrs Vleeming said, "I didn't know that Everly has Cerebral Palsy."
"She was diagnosed at 5 months," Teddy said, "it's been a long road. They're doing well. Ev is growing fast. My 5th grandchild and I think she's grown the fastest of all of them. They're still in our basement suite so I see Ev every day."
"I'm going to start the meeting," Mrs Vleeming said.
"Of course," Teddy smiled.
"Good evening," Mrs Vleeming said, "if everyone could grab something to drink and take a seat."
The parents in the room quickly settled into seats.
"Tonight we have Dr Teddy Altman from Grey Sloan here to meet with us," Mrs. Vleeming said, "three years ago she was here as one of you trying to figure out how to help her daughter Allison. If we could all give Teddy a warm welcome."
"Hi," Teddy said, taking a seat on the edge of the stage, "let's keep this casual. I'm Teddy. I had my first child 6 weeks after I turned 21 after leaving her father then three and a half years ago my youngest Allie told me she was pregnant in her senior year. My story and Allison's but both of us needed the same thing the unconditional love and support of our parents. I'm going to start with my story and I did check with both of my girls before speaking tonight, what I am sharing I have Allie and Annie's permission to share. I know you few of you your daughters are considering adoption and it isn't an easy path, seeing Allison keeping your baby isn't easy. Your daughters will have moments where they struggle, where they are your baby again sobbing in your arms possibly 9 months pregnant, in labour or with her baby in her arms she is your baby. Allison turns 21 tomorrow and she is still my baby, Annie is 46 and she's always going to be my baby. I have two daughters and a son and they need love, all differently but they all need love. To understand Allie's story I have to start with my own. I was 20 years old and in college, I ran track and played soccer then that winter I found out I was pregnant. I was 20 years old in an abusive relationship with a man 3 years older than me, he was controlling, manipulative and refused to wear a condom as well as messing with my birth control. This was 1990 our options weren't as great or easily accessible. When I found out I called my mom sobbing and she flew to see me, she didn't ask she just came. My mom came and she was there, she took me to a doctor and helped me get my boy friend out of my apartment. That summer I stayed with my parents and prepared for medical school and in October I had my first daughter Annie. She was 6 pounds 2 ounces of perfection. Before she was born I had chosen the parents that would adopt her. I had about an hour with Annie to hold her and cuddle and tell her I would always love her. I then prayed for her every day for 19 years, on her 19th birthday her parents kept their word and gave her my contact information and she emailed me. Now we're close, we have been since she was 19. That was hard, there were days it felt impossible, my entire body and soul wanted my baby. To hold her, to see her smile and watch her grow. Then 25 years later in 2015 I had my Allie, my youngest, my baby, again unexpectedly but very much celebrated by our family. The fall of Allie's senior year she went to her sister correctly assuming she was pregnant, my oldest helped her get the care she needed right away and to tell me. Allie had a tough pregnancy and the worst labour I have ever seen, her daughter had the cord on her neck and took nearly 2 minutes to breathe. Allie has struggled at times over the last few years, leaning on me, my husband, her sister and her now fiance who is the baby's father. Allie has asked I not use the child's name or gender for their privacy. I was suprised when I found out, my husband and I are surgeons, we thought we taught our kids about safer sex, about taking precatuions and being careful. Teaching our kids that when they were ready and with the right person it can be great and that they should like being with their partners that way, but teenagers don't always listen and don't always use their best judgement. My daughter and her fiance were drunk at 17 years old the night they conceived my youngest grandchild. They made a decision they wouldn't have sober and now have a beautiful child. They still live in my basement suite and are getting progressively more independent. They're college kids, Allie is premed and Ash is an industrial electrical apprentice. She turns 21 tomorrow, with her 2.5 year old. It's been hard and they need a lot of guidance and love. I'm seeing with my oldest they never stop needing or wanting you, it changes but they need mom. They need moms unconditional love. Allison still comes up and sits on my couch or at the foot of my bed to talk, when she's having a hard day or week she still asks for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and I make them and we have tea and a hug and she talks. This is hard for the girls and they need mom to love and hug them, to enjoy those special moments, the kicks and watching her giggle when the baby moves around. Their babies still need to be welcomed and celebrated, the timing might not be perfect or when we hoped but that baby that precious grandchild is new and perfect. That doesn't mean we coddle and baby them. We love and guide and support towards independence. They are the baby's parents not you. Allie and Ash have to make the decisions for their two and a half year old, they have always been the parents. We guide and support and it goes in waves there are times they do really well and times that they need more support and love and we adapt with them. Last fall Ash had an industrial accident and my daughter unravelled and needed a lot of support, we fed them, took care of the two year old and guided. Right now they're good. We do dinner for them on Wednesday's, when their daughter was first born it was three days a week. They could do dinner every night but I like having the three of them and it gives me an excuse for cooking new things and not settling into the same old things my husband and I like. Love them, support them and help the to be as independent as possible. Babysit so they can go to work or school, encourage finishing their education and getting post secondary so the girls can be independent. Your daughter needs her education more than ever, so they can be independent and the best they can be for the baby. Help them be as independent as possible. We created a plan and adapted as we went and it will change again. They will be okay and they will surprise you with their strength and maturity."
The moms in the room applauded. Teddy joined them for the conversation afterwards sharing more of their experiences the last few years.
Teddy got home and sat with Owen on the couch with a cup of tea, "she's 21 tomorrow. All of our kids are adults."
"They have been for a while," Owen said.
"Owen she's our baby. Annie 21 was exciting and I flew to Boston and took her for drinks," Teddy smiled at the memory, "Leo we went down and took him out but Allie I feel old. I feel old."
"We're getting older," Owen agreed.
"I don't like getting old," Teddy whined, "I'm 67 and turn 68 this summer. I'm down to only working 3 days a week sometimes 4 if they're desperate."
"I'm only doing 4," he agreed, "it's time for us to slow down and let the next generation come up. I'm stepping back as head of Trauma, Megan wants me to run the residency program. April is going to run trauma."
"And the peds building opens in two weeks," Teddy said, "for the first time Annie and Josh won't be in the building with us."
"They've been doing this 20 years let her go," Owen said, "she's running cardio in Seattle's biggest children's hospital. It's the largest in the state."
"I'm proud of her," Teddy replied, "Josh is running trauma. They get to build that hospital from the ground up under Robbins and chief."
"We're going to the opening," Owen asked.
"Of course," Teddy replied, "and Megan has asked for Everly to be the ceremonial first patient."
"Everly gets to be the first," Owen said.
"She does," Teddy smiled, "xrays."
"She needs them anyway," Owen said.
"She does," Teddy agreed, "21 years ago we were sitting here waiting."
"I still think you were in early labour that night," he argued.
"I don't," she replied, "in early with Annie I was agitated and couldn't relax or sit down. I paced for hours."
"But your situation was different," he said.
"I had you," she said, "you didn't leave me the moment you found out you stayed by my side. I could not have done all of this on my own. There's no way."
"We should have done it sooner," he said.
"22 years together," she smiled.
"Married 21 now," he kissed her.
"It's a long time," she agreed, "whats next Owen?"
"We keep slowing down teaching more, operating less," he said, "time with the grand kids. Ellie graduates highschool."
"She's heard from UW, UBC and Oregon," Teddy said, "in at all but she wants to go away to school. Allie will miss her"
"She will," Owen said, "UBC or Oregon get her a couple hours away and some freedom. She's ready to spread her wings and UBC they have lots of family in BC."
"Us," Teddy said.
"We retire and travel," he said, "kids, grand kids, do what Webber never did."
"He never got to enjoy retirement," Teddy said, "hopefully we live long enough to see great grandkids."
"Maybe Ellie's," Owen said, "my mom is really slow and needs a lot of physical help but she's still with it and she's 93."
"She's good," Teddy agreed, "always happy to see us. She's coming tomorrow. I booked the senior's bus that can move her right in her chair."
"Thank you," Owen said.
"Gama, gapa," Everly called up the stairs.
"Ev no," Allison said scooping the little one up.
"Everly," Teddy said going to the top of the stairs, "what are you doing"
"Gama hug," Everly asked.
"It's bed time," Allison said, "she got away from me. I went to run her bath, Ash is working late late tonight and when I came out of the bathroom she was crawling up the stairs."
"You crawled up the stairs," Teddy beamed.
"Good work princess," Owen cheered.
"Baby gate time," Allison said, "she's had no interest and hasn't tried before now."
The next night the family over the age of 20 gathered in Allison's favourite restaurant.
"You're 21 bean," Annie smiled, hugging her sister.
"You're girls are both adults," Evelyn said to Teddy.
"They're all adults," Teddy said.
"She's doing well," Evelyn said, "we're so proud of her."
"So Cat and Ellie are incharge," Megan commented.
"I'm worried about my living room," Annie laughed.
"Khitam," Megan asked.
"Her and Everly as a team," Annie smiled, "it's cute. They're cute little friends and you need cousins."
'You've always been close to your McKellar ones," Megan said.
"I am," Annie said, "we'll see them for spring break they all line up this year and it's Ellie's last. She's in grade 12. We got her prom dress last week, she's just going to go with a group of friends."
"I did," Megan said, "you?"
"Highschool boyfriend," Annie answered, "she's my baby and we've been applying to university. She's talking UBC or Oregon. They're comparable schools. Both 3-4 hours away. I'd prefer UBC because we have family close if she needs them and I loved my time at UBC but Josh loved Oregon."
"Let her decide," Megan said, "you have three more to pick colleges with."
"She's starting to talk about medicine," Annie said, "it has to be her decision. I choose so did Josh. we all have to choose it for ourselves."
"You do," Megan said, "Cat isn't sure."
"Right now I'd like her to pick a college so we can figure out her housing," Annie said, "get her ogrnaized"
"You have time it's only the end of January," Megan said.
"Megan she's my baby," Annie said, "how did she? I feel old. She's 17 this year."
"I know," Megan said, "we had fun with those two."
"We did," Annie agreed, "now they're old enough to babysit the rest."
"It's only really Heather, Everly and Khitam that need it," Megan said.
"Henry," Annie said, "Matt is fine home alone, he's 13 but Henry isn't ready."
"Cat can but hates it," Megan said.
"I know she comes over," Annie said, "I go get her."
"You or Faroke," Megan said, "she won't learn."
"She's okay," Annie said, " she's not ready."
"Happy birthday," Ava smiled, hugging Allison.
"You came," Allison smiled.
"Of course it's your 21st," Ava beamed.
"How are you," Allison asked.
"I'm good, just busy," Ava said, "I miss you and our princess."
"Our course and work schedules are opposite this semester," Allison said.
"You're the first of us to turn 21," Ava said, "parties?"
"I might have one or two at your place next weekend," Allison said, "I'm legal but I still need to be careful."
"But," Ava said.
"It's not Ev," Allison replied, "it's my medication and my thyroid."
"You're having a couple tonight," Annie said, "we can with the thyroid bean, just not back to back nights."
"Have you," Allison asked.
"Yes," Annie replied, "I have. But be smart about it. Have a ride home, have a good baby sitter, don't have work or class the next day."
"Last time you did," Allison asked.
"Josh and I went away for a weekend and we both had a few," Annie answered, "the weekend my kids were with Mama and Uncle Owen. I like cider and wine. I'm not a beer fan, I don't like the taste."
"Drink," Ava offered Allison.
"One," Allison agreed.
Annie went to crouch by Teddy's chair, "my 21st you ordered lemon drop shots for us and Steph."
"I was going to," Teddy smiled, "the three of us?"
"Jenna and Meg," Annie asked.
"We will," Teddy smiled.
"I'll do it as her big sister," Annie said, "I never got to take my other siblings for their first drink when they were legal I want this with her."
"No," Teddy said, "I get to do that for all of your 21st."
They sat down for dinner together and when they finished eating Annie ordered the shots.
"What," Allison said, "who?"
"Happy birthday baby girl," Teddy smiled
"Shots," Allison asked, "I haven't since."
"One tonight is fine," Teddy assured, "it's your choice."
"One," Allison agreed.
Annie picked up her shot glass, "happy 21st baby bean."
"Happy birthday Allison," the other women cheered before downing the shots.
"That's sour," Allison said.
"Lemon drop," Teddy said, "it was my favourite when I was in med school.
"The first time I had shots with her," Annie smiled, "I liked that you couldn't taste the alcohol."
"Plans for the rest of the night," Megan asked.
"No," Allison said, "we're having friends over tomorrow night."
"Your party tomorrow," Ava asked.
"We can have a couple," Allison said, "have you hard from Liv?"
"No," Ava said, "new guy, new city. She's still travelling."
"I only see what she posts online," Allison groaned, "it looks fun!"
"But what will she have in a year," Asher said.
"We'll be done college in just over a year," Ava said, "Asher will you be done?"
"I finish next March," Asher answered.
"Will princess be there tomorrow," Ava asked.
"She'll go upstairs to my parents," Allison said, "come early and see her."
"I will," Ava agreed.
When they got home Asher grabbed a gift bag he had hidden in the closet under the stairs, "happy birthday Allie."
"Asher," She said, "you already planned dinner."
"It's your 21st," he smiled, "open it."
Allison opened the gift bag and found a small box, "it's not a ring because I'm wearing that."
"Open it," Asher said.
Allison opened the box and smiled, "Ash it's way too much! They're beautiful but it's way too much."
"Not for you," Asher smiled.
"I love the snowflakes," Allison said, she took her earrings out and put the new ones from Asher in.
"They look good," Asher said.
"I love them," Allison smiled, "thank you!"
"Happy birthday babe," Asher beamed, "I love you."