"I Don't remember what"!? Leo Leapt down the stairs and flipped over the back of the couch to sit next to the girls.
"Dude careful"! Allison complained hitting Leo.
"Leo what have dad and I said about doing that to the couch…. Next time you do that, and it breaks – I am as serious as a heart attack…. You will be paying for it. Do you understand me"?
"Ugh I'm leaving" Leo got all huffy
"Hey, do you understand me"? Teddy stuck her leg out stopping him from getting past her.
"Yes"
"Yes"?
"Ma'am …. Yes ma'am". Leo rolled his eyes.
"Hey, I am in no mood for this dude…. Keep it up and I'll be calling your dad. I worked all night, I'm exhausted. Your sister and I were having a nice quiet morning til you brought your bad attitude down here. Now you can sit here and be normal, or you can go away, I don't want to be around you when you are in a bad mood".
Allison was feeling a little uncomfortable being stuck in the middle of the attack, lately their mom's mood swings were off the chart.
"I'm sorry mom".
"You're forgiven. We have a question for you….Or well Allison does , do you remember me having her"?
"Mmmm I vaguely remember meeting her, but I remember bringing her home from the hospital, you slept a lot. Why"?
"Because I want to be there when mom has our brother and I said that you were there when mom had me".
"yaaaa I don't remember the details…. Thank God *Leo laughed* If Allison is there can I be there too"?
"If seeing me in pain thrills you, you are more than welcome to be in the delivery room".
"Richard"! Owen caught up to Dr. Webber and Dr. Bailey
"What can I do for you Dr. Hunt".
"I wanted to talk to you about Teddy and her practicing while being so close to having the baby, and COVID-19".
"Dr. Hunt I believe this is a conversation between you and your wife…. I don't see where I am involved".
"She doesn't see the danger in it". Owen replied.
"Wait wait, she doesn't see the danger in it…? or are you being an overprotective husband soon to be dad"? Bailey asked.
Silence …..
"wellllll…" bailey and webber waited for an answer.
"Have you talked with her about this"? Webber asked
"Yes "Owen said sheepishly.
"And…. She said …"? Bailey pressed him.
"Come on Hunt …. we're waiting…" Bailey and Webber stared at him.
"She knows her own body and to trust me when it came to caring for our unborn child". Owen fessed up
"Dr. Hunt! Dr. Altman is one of the smartest Dr's we have on staff. I suggest you should believe her when she says she 'knows her own body'… not only that if you are even remotely suggesting that I should force her to take a maternity leave against her own will…. You have go to be out of your ever living mind! ".
"Yes sir". Owen said quietly.
"Can you believe him, Bailey"?!
"No, Sir"
Bailey shook her head with a smirk.
"What"?! Owen looked at her.
Bailey waited for Webber to leave "Owen…. Trust your wife. That woman's survival skills are unmatched by anyone in this hospital…. Relax enjoy these last few months of her pregnancy …. Right now, she does not need someone breathing down her neck, she needs her husband to support her. If she's comfortable working let her work and spoil her….. And for the love of GOD, don't ask to MILK HER"!
"I …" Owen said.
"AH! STOP ! Don't bother, we all know it happened. You cannot convince me otherwise" Bailey cut him off.
"But"
Bailey's pager went off "Save it , Hunt, I got to go."
"Thanks Bailey"!
Back home The trio were snuggled up when her pager went off Leo jumped up "Aw do you really have to go"?! he groaned.
"What's it say" ? She asked
"Maggie is out, and they are short a Cardio surgeon."
"Ya bud I do, I could love on you both all day but duty calls ANNNDDD you both have school, get going"! She followed him up the stairs refreshed herself and was soon back out the door to work.
She arrived to the hospital in record time "Back again for more fun, eh Dr. Altman"? A nurse commented.
"I just couldn't stay away" Teddy laughed.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes, bat woman" she heard a familiar voice call out making her smile.
"Same to you, fancy meeting you here like this in daylight…. what's going on"?
"Maggie is out sick with Covid, are you sure you're up for this"?
"Owen, stop, I'm fine". She rolled her eyes. "Wow" she said taking quick inventory of the status of the place
"Ya… you can say that again "Jackson said walking past her "we are beyond max capacity and mom keeps letting more people come…. We don't have anywhere to put them"! he said frustrated
"Cafeteria "? She suggested.
"Already full".
"oh Holy Hell" she said under her breath.
"WHAT! What's wrong!? Is it the baby"!? Owen asked.
"What? NO, I was just reacting to the crisis"! she was surprised.
Jackson chuckled
"Dr. Hunt a word "Bailey pulled him aside.
"Owen you're acting like an overprotective husband, she's fine. Give her space, stop watching every move she makes, analyzing every comment she makes, JUST STOP. Let the woman do her job. Be Cool".
"Dr. Altman they need you in surgery" A nurse called out.
"On my way, Owen … want to assist"?
"He looked to Bailey."
"Owen! now or never, LET'S GO elevator is closing "Teddy called out.
"Coming, Coming." He ran almost missing the door.
Bailey shook her head laughing, "men" she said to herself.
"What was that, back there "? she asked while assessing the patient's vitals.
"Nothing " he quickly said , she looked at him not quite believing his answer
"How are the kids"?!
"HA! They're good, I got home this morning and Allison was exceptionally sweet , Leo was unusually grumpy…. Or I was … or probably the both of us. But here is the funny part….. THEY BOTH want to be in the delivery room"!
"Before you have the baby …. after"? he asked a little confused
"NO, During! I told them if watching me suffer in pain thrills them, then they are more than welcome to be there. I don't know what child would want to see their mother suffering but whatever floats their boat".
"And you're okay with it" He asked again.
"Sure, they're old enough to make that choice on their own… they're welcome to leave at any point in time".
"Dr. Altman …. Dr. Hunt! Just the people I was looking for! I'm glad I caught up with you * Bailey ran up to them * You have an urgent phone call"!
"Dr. Bailey is it our kids"?! Because I've a patient on the table prepped for surgery, I can't just … "Teddy looked perplexed.
"I wouldn't have interrupted you if I didn't think this was urgent". Bailey commented.
"Go, Go …. Take the phone call "Owen encouraged her
Annoyed Teddy took her PPE off "This is Dr. Altman… *turning to face Owen and Bailey* Yes sir… I will speak with him within the coming few weeks. Thank you, Sir".
"What was that about"?
"The NIH and CDC have been watching my and the research done by the Katherine Fox foundation for Covid treatment data I've submitted and have found it successful in blind trials…. They want me to sit in on a panel in a few weeks to discuss findings and protocols ". She said shocked.
"CONGRATS"! Bailey said beaming with pride that one of her very own was recognized.
"Thank you …..I think " she said scrubbing back in as Bailey left
"Congrats babe * he kissed her cheek* Did you hear that little one your Momma is making waves in the medical community"! He rubbed his hand over her stomach.
"OWEN! Seriously? What are you doing?! I'm going into surgery, Ughhhh "! She was irritated.
"Hey"! He blocked her from going into the OR.
"Move, now they're going to kick all through surgery…." she was ticked off that he woke up the baby.
"Not until you tell me what has got you so upset; is it cause of the baby….? Because if it is ….I'm sorry. The phone call"?
"You are hovering and it's starting to annoy me, and yes to all of the above! Owen can you not see that this is a huge undertaking? If this is more than just sitting on a panel for 1 day, this could ruin our kids' lives, your life and career, my career. One wrong move, one idea twisted, and everything I have accomplished will be for nothing. I am not even going to go to how sexist this country is- they see me 8 ½ months pregnant and the good ole boys will certainly have something to say".
"Major Altman, when has Science rattled you? When have the good ole boys bothered you… are you scared"? he questioned he knew he was going to get a rise out of her.
"Owen knocks it off! I am not scared. Science has not rattled me, it is the ONE THING that makes sense, I can handle the scientific research critics …. That is part of the job. Is it the uneducated public, who don't know how to play …. who will destroy me? NO! If it were JUST ME, I'd yes …. But I have a family to think about now. I must Think about how my choices, my actions will impact your life, and the kids. I got to go". She tried walking past him to the OR …. She Paused
"Owen if I take this assignment, the rest of my career …. Is over …. Everything that I have ever done…. Will not matter. People will either see a complete disaster or a success …. And the way things are going ….. success is a long time coming".
"Kiss me" He blocked her as she tried to get past him again.
She blushed and rolled her eyes Kissing him "It's a good thing I like you". She smirked.
"Im sorry about the baby" he said
"It's fine, I'm sorry I got overly made about it".
After surgery she sat down to look her phone and saw a million missed texts and calls, she could not bear to look at them except from one person, her sweet baby girl Allison She was not sure how she got so lucky with 2 of the best kids but she never questioned it.
Baby #2 :"GOT An A on my 1st ever online (self – taught LOL) Bio class"
Baby #2 :"Guessing you're in surgery, Love you".
Baby #2 :"I'm done with school, if you're home early we can go baby shopping if you want, just mommy and me day …. OR Leo can come too if you want LOL."
She called her back "Hi baby, yes, I was in surgery – you can always call and ask for them to call the OR silly. I KNEW you could do it baby! Biology is not, well done! I am So proud of you and your brother. I would love to go baby shopping with you! I will be home in half hour, see you then'.
Walking into the house she ran into Leo who did not bother to acknowledge her.
"HEY HEY HEY Come here, give me a hug." She yelled after him.
"Sorry, *he quickly hugged her* Busy mom"! he yelled back as he ran upstairs.
She went into the Kitchen and noticed the TV was paused with her Photo and a caption that read "DR. THEODORA ALTMAN OF ADDED TO PANEL OF PHYSICIANS AS LEAD ADVISOR FOR NEW GROUNDBREAKING COVID TREATMENT PROTOCOL " Then some new analysis person popped up on the screen and started talking
" So why do you think they named this Theodora Altman? Who is she"?
"She's really not new to this world of health crisis she successfully ran MedCOM . She was a huge player during the earthquake in Haiti, swiftly deploying American troops and civilians to provide aide".
"Do you think she's the right choice"?
"I can't say, we don't know what her strategy is , if she has one , or if this is a power play to appeal towards the American People. After she left MedCom she stayed out of politics".
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing"?
"Depends on who you ask. From my standpoint, she's way more qualified than this politician, to make decisions. It potentially will be nice to have someone whose sole focus is on the people and not the pocketbooks of huge corporations".
"But as military her duty is to the president, correct"?
"Remember she's retired, So technically YES …..and she should hold her standards but no, not necessarily"