ch7
Next Day
"Mom and Dad are home, come on Alli"! Leo rushed down the stairs to greet his parents.
Allison didn't come out of her room.
"HEYYYYY BIG MAN! Did you hold down the fort while we were gone"?! Owen gave him a high five big hug
"Yes sir! Hi mom …. Hi lil baby". He rubbed her stomach
Teddy smiled "HI Sweetpea * she kissed him * where's your sister"?
"I don't know what her deal is, she threw a temper tantrum …. Guess some friends aren't being very nice. I talked her down… I think she's okay now".
She glared at Owen "Okay Thanks baby, I'll check on her in a minute. Come here, * she sat down on the couch Leo sat down next to her * Are you doing okay with everything going on"? she asked running her fingers through his curly locks
"Yeah… I have had a few friends say that you have ruined their life…. I just do not respond because I know that in the end this will all be over. I told them it must be nice not having parents on the front line. Are you and dad staying home when you have the baby? I just want this to be over so you and dad are safe". He held onto Teddy.
"Oh honey, we love you both so much. YES! Your dad and I both are taking time off"!
Leo jumped "What was that"!?
"That was the baby kicking" she laughed
"REALLY!? * He looked at her surprised * Can I ….."?
"Are you kidding of course you can, here" * she took his hand and pressed it against her side where she was feeling the baby kick the most, her heart swelled with Love as she watched her son's face glow with excitement
"Does it hurt"? he asked
"Sometimes, right now …. No. But yes sometimes he kicks really hard"
"What's it feel like"?!
"Depends , sometimes it feels like when you kick me when you're sleeping or try to push me off the bed , other times it feels like gas bubbles, he gets hiccups too" she laughed
"WOAHHHH"! Leo exclaimed feeling the baby kick up a storm
She cleared her throat "Alright , I better go check on your sister".
"MOM"! he called after her
"Yeah"? she turned around
"I love you"
"I love you too bud" she and Owen caught eyes and they smiled
She went upstairs to get on Allison "Hey babe, *she softly knocked on Allison's door* we're hommmee…. Can I come in"?
No response
"Allison …. Honey are you mad at me"? She asked as she opened the door a crack to peek in
"GET OUT OF MY ROOM"! Allison yelled at her hiding some mail under her pillow .
"EXCUSE YOU?! HEY that is not how you speak to your mother" Owen scolded her as he walked by
"Owen … Owen….. that isn't helping….. I got it, thank you."
Hearing this Leo quickly texted Allison "She's on our side remember ….? Be nice".
"I don't appreciate that tone in MY house, young lady…. I'll come back in 5 mins and we'll try again".
5 mins later "Me again…. Are You going to bite my head off "?
Allison shook her head.
"good …. I'd like to keep it… I kind of need it" she laughed but didn't get a response from Allison.
"Can I sit? My hip is killing me" Allison scooted over in the bed to make room for Teddy. Teddy sat down and rubbed Allison's back which made Allison shrug her off.
They sat in silence for a moment , Teddy rubbing her hand over the baby trying to sooth him"I think Your brother is trying to escape, he's been kicking since we got home…do you want to feel" she chuckled trying to elicit a response from Allison who only ignored her.
"Hey…. Babe, what did I do ? Why are you so mad at me….? I can't fix it unless you tell me".
"Stacy and some other friends have been saying really mean things about you and Luka hasn't said a word to me". She sniffled
Damn it she thought to herself, this was exactly what she didn't want to happen.
"Oh gosh * she picked up the photo of her, Owen , meghan and Nathan in Iraq * Honey… can you look at me "? She played with Allison's long slightly curly wavy hair
She looked at the photo again "Did you know that ….when we were in Iraq ,Your dad wouldn't talk to me when we first met. WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT ME… and every single thing I did, was wrong."
Allison turned over and looked at Teddy "Really"?
"Mmmmhmmmm and I was his boss… technically we were even but I'd been in longer".
"But you ended up together."
"Not until years of heart ache and confusion, we've always loved each other but were unavailable…. REALLY it was not until YOU came along that the stars aligned for us. Hon, what I'm trying to say is …. If it's meant to be it'll happen … if not IT'S OKAY, you are SO YOUNG and have SO MANY MORE YEARS OF meeting people and friends you'll in and out of love with and that's okay! And as far as those people being mean to you because of me …. Any amount of sorry won't make that any better".
"It's alright".
"Listen… I'm not always the most liked person …. In fact, I don't have very many friends" …
"REALLY?! But you're so nice and funny and smart."
"Thank you and Yes, I tend to agree …. But I also do not make life comfortable for people… some might say I'm unconventional maybe even a little egotistical , I've struggled in my personal life and it caused some people to not be very fond of me but many still respect my abilities and I'm good at what I do … and I have a track record to prove it. So…. Do I CARE if people disagree with what I say …? Sure, but only if what they have to say is backed by research and changes my mind to rethink what I've done. You don't have to agree with me… in fact I want you and your brother to make YOUR OWN INFORMED Decisions about things…. But just remember mom is usually right".
"I know … you're right" Allison acknowledged.
"SEE …. Told ya! Just don't tell anyone about the nice stuff…." Teddy teased her.
"Ha… Ha …. Very funny…. Cheap shot".
"Hey you're easy pickins …. I Love ya kiddo, and I understand it's tough… but you can always tell Dad or I anything… we won't be mad".
"Mom"?
"Hmmm"? Teddy said eyes closed
"What personal stuff"?
She opened her eyes " that's a story for another day hon"
"DINNNERRRR " Owen and Leo yelled
" Saved by the bell" Teddy teased
Owen broke the silence at the Table "So you guys…i thnk We found the puppy litter that we want to choose from *he opened his phone to show photos of German Shepherd puppies* See i like the Sable colored one , which one do you guys like"?
Leo and Allison gasped "The black and tan one is cool " leo commented
"They are beautiful I like both *Teddy admired them* how old"?
"4 weeks, they can't leave their mom until they're 8 weeks old" Owen said
Allison jumped up and down "Can we PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE" she begged
"You didn't say which one you lked" Owen laughed
"YEAH COME ON"! Leo teased his sister
"Don't care , want them all" She laughed
"Honey you don't have to beg, we're getting a puppy"
"MOM choses , which one"? Owen asked
"OHHH NO NO NO i may way too many choices in life , as is , this is someone else's choice *she laughed* but shouldn't we really meet these puppies before we commit to one? That might help whoever decides …where are they located "?
"Auburn" he said
"ROAD TRIP " the kids yelled
"LATER ,i need to get to work"
"Dr. Altman you've an incoming Trauma ,Lauren is a 10 year old girl , MVA" a nurse addressed her
"ALTMAN! * a nurse called her* on my count 123 * a young girl screamed in pain *
"Where's mom"?! Teddy asked
"She's not here yet" a nurse responded
"Okay Okay HI Lauren *she rubbed the girl's shoulder* ,My name is Dr. Theodora Altman, you can call me Teddy, I am the Chef of Trauma and I am going to help take care of you today okay"? Teddy introduced herself as the Trauma room was busy with nurses
The young girl groaned in pain as the nurses turned her over "ouwwww nice to meet you" she acknowledged Teddy
Teddy smiled as she began her FAST exam "Alot of things are going to be happening really fast , okay. Alot of people will be taking care of you"
"Everything hurts really bad" the young girl cried
"I know sweetie, we're giving you some meds to help manage that okay, squeeze my fingers as hard as you can… OOOOh YES good girl , okay… i'm going to need my fingers replaced" she tried to get the young girl to laugh
Lauren smiled "where's my mom"?
A nurse chimed in, "She's in the waiting room sweetie
"Hey Lauren, we're going to roll you to your side and I am going to be pressing on your back , I need you to tell me if it hurts or not, okay"?
"Okay".
"No pain ? * Lauren shook her head no* GOOD , Good job sweetie. Radiology is going to take some images, and I'll be right back, I'm just going to talk to your momma and let her know how your're doing".
"Dr. Altman …." a nurse called her back to the trauma room to look over at US image
"Okay….get us an OR and prep for surgery *she said quietly* I'm going to go talk to mom and dad" rushed out of the room
She walked into the conference room followed behind by Chef Webber and Owen "Hi Mrs. and Mr. Sundsten? I am Dr. Altman, this is Drs. Webber and Hunt I know the nurses have been keeping you aware of Lauren's condition….."
"We are! HOW IS SHE"?! They rushed Teddy Webber held Owen back
She paused "She's stable for now, but she will need surgery,. Upon our exam in the Right Aortic Valve we found some sustained trauma, along with a pretty harsh heart murmur * She pulled out a note pad and pen and sat down.
"Wait what?! SURGERY WHAT ! Where"?
Owen spoke up "Here, and Dr. Altman, our Cardiothoracic surgeon, is going to explain to you the game plan, no need to worry".
"Yes …so the heart has2 sides , right and left , and 4 chambers : Rt and left Artium and the right and left ventricles and 4 valves ; Tricuspid valve, Mitral or Bicuspid valve, aortic valve and the pulmonary valve …..
"OMG …."! Mrs. Sundsten freaked out
"I'd like to make an incision here and go through this valve to repair it" Teddy finished with her explanation
Mr. Sundsten cleared his throat "Dr. Altman…. You obviously have children".
"I do *she looked at Owen* 3 beautiful children" she smiled
"Would you do this surgery"?
"Yes" She confidently replied
Owen spoke up "Mr. and Mrs. Sundsten , being a father myself *Teddy softly smiled* I understand your concern about risks , It is a big surgery, a major surgery …. It's open heart surgery . All surgery comes with risks but chances of her having a heart attack or a stroke or even not surviving the surgery iare very minmial".
Lauren's Dad spoke up "Look bet you're a great surgeon…and mother and all but are you not the doctor the US just called up to help with this covid stuff? We saw you all over the news … to be honest not really interested in you treating my daughter ".
"Aaron"! Lauren's mom was appauled
" Mr. Sundsten , i understand your concern,i am more than happy to provde names of other surgeons" Teddy addressed hm
"As Chef of surgery … I can assure you that Lauren will have nothing but the best. Dr. Altman here is a highly decorated Cardiothoracic surgeon and is very much qualified for this type of surgery" Webber spoke up
"And if we don't do the surgery"? The parents asked
"It's not about if she'll have a major medical emergency but when…as she gets older the trauma will worsen and at that point it could lead to catastrophic complications and we might not be able to save her. Our best option is to do the repairs today, ". Teddy quietly said
"Ok! Do it then".
"Alright, we'll prep her for the OR ….*Mrs. Sundsten grabbed Teddy's arm* Dr. Altman it's pretty evident you're a mother yourself ….and …. Lauren's mom began to break down.
Teddy took her hand and squeezed it tightly "Mrs. Sundsten….. I am a mother…. I understand your heart, and I can confidently tell you i trust my team…. Surrounding me to get your daughter through this. I'll take care of her , I promise"
Owen found her throwing some scrubs on "You okay"?
"Ya …why"? She asked tying her hair back into a bun
He grabbed her scrub cap and handed it to her "Ugh I don't know … it being a kid similar in age to ours… we can always have someone else do the surgery".
"Owen…*she scolded * NO…. I'm fine, this is my job… you can scrub in with me as long as you aren't all cry baby"..
He smiled "Fine"
Few mins later she knocked on the door and walked into Lauren being held by her mom "Hi MS. LAUREN how are ya" Teddy walked n calmly but cheerfully
"Dr. Altman is going to fix you all up…okay sweetie" Lauren's mom dried her tears
IT broke Teddy's to see the young girl crying "Are you a little nervous? *Lauren shook her head no…then paused and said yes* that's okay to be nervous….…since I know your first name, do you remember mine….? Okay f you don't lots was happening n that trauma room*Lauren looked at her* It's Teddy…. "
Lauren looked at her"Teddy , Like a bear"
"Yes like a bear". Teddy and Owen Laughed
8 hours later Teddy was happy to share the news that Lauren made it through surgery without any hiccups
He found her watchng as Lauren's parents met their daughter in recovery "Great job Dr. Altman" Owen extended his fist out for a bump
She laughed "Great assist, as always Dr. Hunt" She pounded his fist
"Hey, what do you say about blowing this popsicle stand grabbing the kiddos, and getting a puppy "?
"SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN TO ME" she said cheerfully
They arrived home "Kids come down we're going to get the puppy today"! Owen yelled as he walked in the door
"REALLY"?! The both ran down
"Where's mom"? Leo asked
"YES, she's in the car, grab 2 snacks and 2 drinks, and let's go! Hustle before we lose daylight"!
"Are we there yet"? Allison complained
"SHHH NO,20 more mins and quiet your mom is sleeping"
"Mmm no I'm not, just have my eyes closed…just to be clear, we're essentially bringing in another newborn…. Just trying to wrap my head around that one" she laughed to herself
"Ugh are you having second thoughts"? Owen asked
"MOM"! The kids yelled,
"NO NO relax, just thinking out loud, LORD".
20 mins later "WAKE UP GUYS , We are here"! Owen pulled in front of a house
"OH MY GOODNESS LOOK AT ALL OF THEM"! Teddy was excited as she watched the children race out of the car
"HELLO FOLKS * a friendly couple walked out of the house This is Renee and i'm Marco and these are our German Shepherd puppies, mom and dad are right over here if you want to see them as well and you guys have second pick male or female.
"Hello! Owen and this is my wife Teddy and our children Leo and Allison …." shaking hands with the owners
"WE WANT THIS ONE "! interrupted Leo and Allison ran over with a beautiful bi-colored puppy
"Lets see * Teddy took the puppy * Oh my goodness are you a little girl or boy… girl! She's cute, here" She passed the pup off to Owen
"We call that one Birdie, she's great with kids, very interactive but not too much" Marco commented
"A lot like her mom *Renee interjected while walking out the mom of the pups to meet Owen and Teddy".
"LOOK TEDDY…." Owen started
She glared at him "Do not go there, you'll be left behind," she said knowing he was going to compare her to the dog
"Okay, we'll take little Birdie" Owen and Teddy agreed