"Should we start getting baby stuff," Owen asked as they pulled into Costco that weekend.
"We need wipes for Allison but that's it," Teddy replied, "no baby things until 14 weeks. Hold your horses hunt."
They didn't really need as many wipes since both kids were toilet trained although Allison still had the occasional overnight accident. Teddy and Owen liked the wipes for quick clean ups on the go and in to keep in their vehicles. They still packed a diaper bag everywhere with extra clothes and snacks even though diapers were becoming a distant memory for Leo and Allison. Teddy realised they would soon start again.
"You have two lists," Owen said.
"Ones for the hospital," Teddy replied, "stocking the residents lounge."
"But," Owen asked.
"Two carts." She replied, "the hospital list I have the hospital credit card."
"Catering," Owen asked.
"Needs one weeks notice to set this up," Teddy replied, "so this week they get Costco snacks."
"What are they getting," Owen asked.
"Fruit and veggies, yogurt, hummus, snack bars, nuts," Teddy replied, "healthy food that will give them energy."
"Has it always been this bad," Owen asked.
"I don't know," Teddy replied, "but if one is struggling to feed themself and admitting it others are. It's not meals it's snacks but I can make sure they have nutritious snacks. I want to go to Catherine and see if we can give them each one meal swipe per 12 hours worked. It's not much but."
"We were fed in the army," Owen replied.
"And my people were fed in my hospital in Germany," Teddy replied, "how can we fight for people's well being but not feed our own?"
"I would hope if it was ours someone would feed them," Owen agreed.
"We will," Teddy assured, "we'll take care of them. I'm worried about Yasuda. Feeding is a bandaid for a bigger problem with her. "
"It is," Owen replied, "what would help?"
"I think raises and reduced hours but how," Teddy asked.
"Your the chief you have the power," Owen said, "where can other costs be cut?"
"I'm already cutting the pastry and sandwich budget for meetings to cover a meal and snacks while on shift," Teddy replied, "it's logistics for that to happen. I'm thinking like a college swipe card they get a certain number per week or month. And I might let Nick go and find some one more reliable."
"He's a transplant surgeon," Owen replied.
"He can stay doing that and general," Teddy replied, "but I'm not having him do the residency program."
"Who would you want," Owen asked.
"I don't know," Teddy admitted, "Richard is good but he's older. I need Bailey focused on general, Winston wants head of cardio and I'm inclined to train him for it. He needs time to learn to lead."
"But that can be taught," Owen said.
"It can be," Teddy agreed.
"Please," Allison pointed to a display of Polly Pockets.
"Not today," Owen replied, "you can pick a treat for your lunch in the bakery."
Allison's birthday was in a few days and they had already gotten her a similar set of Polly pockets. They needed to get a few things for her party the next day, they had decided to keep it simple with games and activities at home along with cake, chips and hot dogs. Allison didn't like elaborate chaotic events and became withdrawn and overwhelmed at them so Teddy had invited a few other kids from daycare for the party including Luna, Pru and , Scout. There would be about 10 kids in total and there was a parent coming with each. They had an owl craft because little Allison loved birds, a few bird themed games and a lot of chalk and bubbles for the backyard. Leo's birthday next month would be more elaborate for their extroverted son while Allison's was calm to suit their introvert. It wasn't favouritism as others including Evelyn accused them of it was understanding each child and what made them feel loved and happy. Leo loved loud events with tons of kids while Allison preferred smaller gatherings and one on one time.
As they loaded groceries into the back of the car Megan called Teddy.
"Are we really scheduling an interview," Megan asked.
"Yes," Teddy replied, "I'm doing proper transparent hiring process. Too much has been on being this persons sister, best friend or spouse. Including both times I got hired for cardio but I want to change it Megan. I'm interviewing the five people on my short list. I posted it two weeks ago and have three of the five lined up and some more resumes to go through. You're one of my top choices and I'm going to interview you for both reconstructive and trauma. I know your passion is reconstructive right now but your training is trauma."
"I need to give notice here soon," Megan replied, "LA isn't working for Faroke and I now."
"Megan we will have an interview," Teddy replied, "I also need general surgeons but I know you don't love general."
"I can do it," Megan replied.
"We will have an interview," Teddy assured, "as much as I love you and want you here I'm going to be fair and transparent in how I hire. If I'm going to fix the problems in the hospital I have to rebuild the staff and that means putting people where they will be best and having the best fits for my hospital. Nothing you're interviewing for is a chief of the department. Reconstruction is a leader and a lead but you would report to Owen and whoever is hired as head of plastics. Trauma you work under Owen and general you work under Richard Webber and Miranda Bailey. I'm rebuilding a lot of the structures from the ground up, we need strong teams that I can trust to do their job and work together to collaborate across departments. Reconstruction you'll be part of coordinating across multiple departments and making it run smoothly."
"The interview is with you," Megan asked.
"Not just me," Teddy replied, "Jackson Avery, Catherine Fox, Richard Webber, Miranda Bailey and I a five person panel. Catherine and Jackson have veto power with the foundation."
"Why," MEgan asked.
"Fairness and transparency," Teddy replied, "Megan I will lead with as much openness and transparency as possible. I expect open communication from all of my departments and leaders."
They finished their conversation and Owen turned to Teddy, "the intern affordability crisis. You've looked at food, give Yasuda the grant to help cover some of her expenses but what if we found a way to help with housing."
"How," Teddy asked.
"Grey's place," Owen replied, "it's been home to how many surgeons now? What if we approached Grey and the Foundation about buying it and using it as housing for the interns and residents at a reduced rent?"
"How many of them live there," Teddy asked.
"I think 5 now but it can house a lot more," Owen replied, "turn the attic and basement into more bedrooms. Do it all to code and safely but provide that as an option. Even if there was a lottery process or means testing to stay there."
"Like a frat house or dorms," Teddy asked.
"Ya," Owen replied, "think Derek, Meredith, April, Lexie, Jackson and Alex all lived there together. The only reason Christina didn't is my salary."
"Affordability has been an issue for a long time," Teddy agreed, "I think you're on to something. Having it as an option for those who need it."
"It's always been the place we could all go when we needed somewhere," Owen replied, "Mereidth took anyone and everyone in and made them feel at home."
"Continue that legacy with the house," Teddy smiled, "or a similar property. I like that house and it's location is great it would be worth looking into."
"Bring it forward,' Owen replied.
"I don't know if I want to ask Mereidth to sell unless she puts the house on the market but I will propose the idea of having safe, stable housing," Teddy replied, "set it up for the interns and residents to succeed."
"It might work," Owen said.
"It's a thought," Teddy agreed, "and would give a lot of them peace of mind. They'd have to pay rent but a reduced rent."
"Rent is fair," Owen agreed.
"The numbers," Teddy shook her head, "we noticed the cost of everything has gone up and we've made some changes in the last year because of it and we have good salaries. I can't imagine as a resident."
"I know,' Owen agreed, "it was hard. The army felt like a relief after residency. I could finally start saving, I didn't worry about my next meal or if I could make rent."
"I know,' Teddy sighed, 'we need something like what Meriedth always did. She never turned people away."
"She always found a spot for them to sleep and a meal," Owen said, "her house was always open to any of us."
"She dragged me there one day," Teddy remembered, "tried to make cookies, I took over but she made tea and we talked about parenting and how much Allison needed you and to know her dad. Everyone was always family there and welcomed."
"We can create that safe space," Owen said, "not the way it's talked about in the news and made fun of but a true safe space where they can get a good night's rest and know they have somewhere to go home at the end of a shift, a meal and a hot shower, a community."
"A home," Teddy replied.
"We can try it," Owen replied, "you can bring it up. Richard will back you."
"He will," Teddy replied, "and Bailey. I think Amelia will be on board and Link. i'm already trying to raise the meal stipend from $15 a day. You can't feed our kids for that and they hardly eat anything."
"Leo's snacks," Owen raised an eyebrow.
"Okay," Teddy agreed, "but the snacks are more expensive than meals. And we eat pretty frugally most of the time because it's what we like and can cook. Neither of us is an amazing cook.'
"It doesn't have to be michelin star cuisine all the time," Owen assured her, "good food, doesn't have to be fancy. Our meals taste good and are healthy."
"We need to feed them and make sure they have safe stable housing," Teddy said, "Mika was sleeping in her van. Something about hashtag van life."
"No," Owen groaned.
"We have to change," Teddy replied, "all our systems need to be over hauled Owen. We have gaps and broken pieces and I have to change it."
"Teddy the baby, your stress," Owen asked, "can you?"
"As long as you don't do anything stupid and put our family at risk again I can," Teddy replied.