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It had been a day of endless paperwork, meetings, and more paperwork. One of the perks of being chief was that there would always be days where you never even made it to the OR floor, let alone surgery. Teddy had been working all day, desperately hoping for an emergency surgery to take her attention, but she had had no such luck. Then when she stopped to analyze her thoughts, she berated herself for hoping for some random stranger to suddenly have a heart attack or a popped lung. Regardless she carried on with her work until her eyes were tired and a migraine was beginning to form.
So instead of hoping for a distraction, she decided to just walk the halls and get some “fresh air”. Some chaos would find her, she supposed.
It was early evening at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. As she rounded the corner she noticed Cass Beckman standing at the front office of the daycare, looking stressed as if her patience wearing thin. The front office staff, however, was giving her the same look she gave Teddy when Allison bit Tuck.
Uh oh. What was the problem?
"I'm sorry, but you're not on the pickup list," the attendant insisted, flipping through the papers without looking up.
Cass sighed, glancing at her phone. “Are you sure? I know David set it up for us, but I am their legal guardian.”
Just then, Teddy walked by, catching the trouble unfolding.
"Is there a problem here?" Teddy asked, stepping in with a composed confidence.
The attendant hesitated, clearly recognizing Teddy as the Chief of Surgery. “Uh, yes, Dr. Altman. Cass isn’t listed as a guardian for her children. It seems Dr. Beckman didn’t leave anyone else listed on the pick-up list. There’s no warning message either.”
Teddy raised an eyebrow. “Well then I can vouch for her. She practically works here. I’ll waive the forms. Give her her kids.”
Beside her, Cass seemed to melt on the spot as the attendant walked away, obviously relieved. “Thank you, Teddy. I really appreciate it,” she said with a warm smile.
“It's no problem, I can’t even imagine how pissed I would be with Owen if he forgot to put my name down.”
Cass turned to Teddy, when she blurted out. “And I just also wanted to apologize for what happened in the elevator. I have a bad habit of putting myself in awkward situations. I promise I don’t want to create any drama between you and Owen.”
Teddy let the apology hit her all at once, enjoying her friend’s clear anxiety, before she waved her hand dismissively.
“It’s okay. Don’t feel sorry. Owen is just… well, he’s Owen—overprotective and stubborn. It’s not your fault that he can be a man-child,” she said, her tone lightening. “I was actually hoping.. that we could be friends? I’ve known most of my staff for years, but most of them are also Owen’s friends”
Cass’s smile widened, her hand moving to touch hers as if on instinct but she stopped herself short. “I would love that.”
Just then, her two boys came bursting out of the daycare, their excitement palpable as they rushed to Cass. “Mom! We’re gonna be late for hockey practice!” the older one exclaimed.
Cass chuckled, shaking her head. “I already checked, we’re not even close to being late. Come on, we’ll grab something greasy on the way, and your gear is already in the trunk.”
Teddy watched the interaction, a soft smile on her face as she admired the way Cass interacted with her children, wiping some dirt off their faces and asking about school. It was clear how much she cared.
Feeling like she was no longer needed, Teddy started to excuse herself. “Well, I should let you get going. I’ll see you around, Cass.”
“Definitely! Thanks again, Teddy,” Cass replied, her voice warm as she waved goodbye.
As Cass and her boys headed out, Teddy felt a sense of relief. She could do this. She could be friends with Cass, regardless of Owen’s feelings about it. It’s not like she wanted to sleep with her.
Three days later, the lobby of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital buzzed with life, the sounds of nurses chatting and patients being checked in filling the air. Cass Beckman sat on a bench, her heart heavy as she watched her two boys, James and Colby, engrossed in a shared game on their Nintendo Switch. They were both decked out in their hockey gear, their faces painted in their orange and blue colors, radiating excitement for the game that was supposed to be a family event. Cass, too, wore the colors proudly, but right now as she frowned, it only accentuated the fact that she was pissed off.
She glanced at her watch for the third time in ten minutes, anxiety gnawing at her. Just this morning David had promised he wouldn’t be late, yet here she was, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the hospital, feeling abandoned and out of place. The boys were counting down the minutes until puck drop, and all Cass could think about was how much she didn't want to sit in a cold rink, feeling like a stranger in her own family’s enthusiasm.
Cass’s brewing anger dissipates the moment she notices Teddy approaching; the distraction could help ease the tension brewing inside her. Although they hadn’t had much contact, every conversation they had just made Cass that more smitten with her.
Not that she’d ever tell her that of course, the woman was married and Cass was many things, but she was not a homewrecker.
The intentional distance between them was enough fuel for Teddy to be something she hadn’t had for a long time. She had a crush on her.
“Hey, Cass!” Teddy greeted her, a smile on her face. “What’s the occasion? You guys look ready for a game.”
Cass looked up, forcing her pout into a smile. “Hey, Teddy! We’re just waiting for David to take us to the boys’ hockey game.” She checked her watch again, a hint of anxiety creeping into her posture. “He’s running late.”
Teddy frowned, glancing around as if expecting David to appear any moment. “I’m sorry to hear that. Last I saw him, he was headed into an emergency surgery with one of his patients.”
A flicker of frustration crossed Cass's face, but she quickly masked it. “Yeah, I know. It’s just… it’s fine. I mean, I have surgeries too, so I get it,” she said, her voice trailing off.
Teddy could sense the deflation in Cass’s demeanor. “You don’t seem okay, though. What’s going on?”
Cass sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Honestly? I hate hockey. I don’t even understand the game! It’s just something my husband and the boys are passionate about. So, sorry I’m not exactly thrilled to be the one who drops everything, stuck sitting in a cold rink, surrounded by nosy moms.”
Teddy felt a pang of empathy for her. “That sounds rough, especially when it’s not your thing.”
“Exactly,” Cass replied, rubbing her temples as if trying to ease the stress. “I feel like I’m the odd one out. The boys are so into it. I want to be supportive, but it’s hard when I’d rather be anywhere else.”
Teddy didn’t really know what to say. This was one of those times when you had to suck it up for your kids, but Cass didn’t need to hear that. “At least you have the day off. I have to finish up last week’s paperwork before next week’s starts. It should only than an hour or so, but I’ve been procrastinating.”
Cass shrugged, like she understood what Teddy meant but she was still hurt. Then a hopeful grin spread across her face. “Would you like to come? I could really use someone to keep me company?”
Teddy chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “You want the Chief of Surgery to join you at a hockey game? What would the staff think?”
Cass leaned closer, her voice playful. “Come on, when was the last time the Chief played hooky? You said you’re procrastinating.”
Teddy rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “They also call me in for big cases.”
“Okay, but what’s the likelihood of a big case happening in the next two or three hours?” Cass asked, her tone teasing.
Teddy rolled her eyes. That was impossible to know. She thought for a moment, scanning her mental calendar. “Well, technically, I don’t have anything mandatory today…”
“Then it’s settled! I’ll pay for your ticket,” Cass said, her excitement growing.
“Deal, but only if you drive,” Teddy replied, a playful challenge in her voice.
“Don’t worry; I always pull out all the stops on a first date. I’ll even buy you popcorn.” Cass winked, her confidence shining through. “Change of plan boys-“ she turned to her sons.
Teddy laughed, her stomach doing a little flip at Cass’s flirtation. She quickly brushed it off as they made their way to the parking garage, her heart racing with the unexpected thrill of the moment. For a moment she thought about texting Owen, but he was at home with the kids and would be none the wiser anyway. It’s not like he needed to know..
When they reached the car, Cass led the way to an all-black BMW, sleek and polished. Teddy raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Nice wheels!”
“Thanks! She’s my pride and joy,” Cass said, grinning as she opened the door for Teddy. It didn’t take them long to buckle up and get going.
As they drove along, Teddy listened to Cass mother her children from the front seat, her voice firm yet loving as she demanded they stop bickering over the AC. The boys, clearly used to their mother’s tone, settled down, their giggles fading into an excited buzz about the game.
“So, tell me about the game,” Teddy asked, turning to face them in the backseat.
“James and Colby both play on the same rec center youthf hockey team!” Cass supplied, glancing at them in the rearview mirror.
“Cool! Have you guys ever tried playing any other sports?” Teddy asked.
James piped up, “I wanted to try football! But Mom says we can only do one sport at a time. I play fall baseball sometimes though.”
Cass shot a playful glare at her son. “That’s right! Do you see me driving a minivan? I don’t have the time to be a soccer mom, one sport at a time.”
Teddy chuckled. “I’ve never played hockey myself. I was more into softball in high school. But I did play a lot of sports while I was stationed in Iraq. It’s too hot for hockey there, but I discovered I liked baseball and soccer.”
The boys’ eyes widened in admiration. “You were an army doctor?” James asked his tone filled with awe.
“Yep! And I’ve had some interesting experiences,” Teddy said, trying to keep her answers appropriate amid their curious minds.
“Did you ever fight bad guys?” the younger one, Colby, asked, his eyes bright with excitement.
Teddy laughed, shaking her head. “Not quite, but there were some tense moments. Mostly, I focused on keeping our soldiers healthy.”
“Did you ever kill bad guys?!” James asked from beside his brother.
Teddy sucked in a breath, unsure what to say, but luckily Cass cut him off- “That's enough questions boys, why don’t you decide on a song for the radio?”
As they arrived at the rec center, Cass parked the car, and the boys could barely contain their excitement, bolting ahead toward the locker room without even looking back.
The two women laughed as the boys took off, barely even stopping to say goodbye. Cass and Teddy walked side by side, slowly meandering instead of running in like the boys.
Cass grabbed their wristbands at the ticket booth, handing one to Teddy. She seemed ready to say something but was cut off by the vendor. “Who’s this? Your sister?”
“No no, just a work friend Janet.” Cass correctly quickly.
Teddy suddenly started to feel out of place. At a rec center for a game she didn’t even care for. Maybe this was how Cass felt without David.
“Do you want a hot dog or a pretzel from the concession stand?” Cass asked, as they walked in further glancing at the menu on the wall.
Teddy opened her mouth to protest, “I can pay for my own—”
“Nope! I’m treating you!” Cass insisted playfully.
Teddy relented with a smile. “Fine, I’ll take a pretzel, then.”
As Cass disappeared into the crowd, Teddy’s mind wandered. She realized she could use a coffee to go with her pretzel, but it was too late to ask.
Moments later, Cass returned with a hot pretzel in one hand and a steaming cup of coffee in the other. “Thought we could share!” she said, handing the coffee to Teddy.
“Thanks! You’re a lifesaver,” Teddy replied, feeling a warm flutter inside.
They made their way to their seats, and Teddy was taken aback by the noise and energy of the rink. The lights flashed, the crowd buzzed with anticipation, and the smell of popcorn filled the air.
As the game began, they cheered on the boys, breaking pieces off their pretzel and laughing together.
As the game unfolded, Cass leaned forward in her seat, trying to explain the ins and outs of hockey to Teddy amidst the roaring crowd. “Okay, so the objective is to get the puck into the other team’s net. You see James over there?” She pointed to her older son, who was skating with determination across the rink, his focus intense. “He’s not the best player on the team, but he gives it his all. And Colby—well, he’s still figuring things out, but he’s fast!”
Teddy watched the boys closely, noting how their team seemed to have the upper hand against their opponents, even if neither of them was a star player. “They’re doing great!” she encouraged, genuinely impressed. “I can see the passion in them.”
Cass turned to Teddy, gratitude shining in her eyes. “Thanks for coming with me today, seriously. I hate these things, and the other moms are just… not my type at all. It feels like I’m the odd one out.”
Teddy laughed, leaning in conspiratorially. “What did you do to them?”
“Oh, you know, just the usual. I forgot to bring snacks to a practice once, and now they all apparently hate me,” Cass said, rolling her eyes dramatically. “I’ve been shunned ever since.”
Teddy chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. “Wow, that’s harsh! I didn’t realize the snack game was so cutthroat in youth sports.”
“Right? It’s insane. I just can’t keep up with their social dynamics,” Cass replied, her tone lightening. “I’m not exactly the PTA mom type.”
Teddy smiled, feeling a warmth in their conversation. “My kids are a bit young for competitive sports. They’re in an Under 5s ballet and tap class. Allison and Leo are more into dance than anything else right now,” she shared, the pride evident in her voice.
Cass raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “That sounds adorable! I bet they’re super cute on stage.”
“They are! Maybe I’ll force you to come to the recital,” Teddy laughed, but then she shivered slightly as a draft swept through the rink. Noticing her discomfort, Cass reached into her bag and pulled out a blanket, draping it over their laps.
“Thanks,” Teddy said, appreciating the gesture. “So, have you thought any more about transferring to Grey Sloan?”
Cass sipped her coffee, the topic making her uneasy. “I want to, but there’s a part of me that likes not being attached to David at work. It’s better for our marriage, you know?” She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. “It gives us space.”
Teddy nodded, understanding the complexities of balancing work and personal life. “I get that. I’ve been there. Owen and I worked well together overseas, but when I became Chief of Surgery… things shifted. He became more stubborn, and he wanted to insert himself into my decision-making. We share everything, even coworkers and friends.”
Cass raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension behind Teddy’s words. “That sounds tough. I can’t imagine how that must feel.”
Teddy sighed, not wanting to delve too deeply into the past, especially not mentioning the plane crash that had changed everything for his career. Instead, she kept it general. “It can be frustrating, especially when you know you’re both capable but still have to navigate that dynamic.”
“Men suck sometimes,” Cass said with a playful smirk, and they both laughed, finding solidarity in their shared frustrations.
Suddenly, amidst their conversation, they noticed the game heating up. The players on the ice were in a flurry of movement, and their team was in a prime position to score. Cass leaned forward, heart racing.
“Come on, James!” she shouted, her eyes locked on her son as he took his shot. The puck flew past the goalie and into the net, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
Teddy joined in, clapping and shouting, “Yes! He scored!”
Both women went wild, high-fiving each other amidst the chaos of the rink. The joy on Cass’s face illuminated the moment, her earlier frustrations melting away as she celebrated her son’s achievement. In that instant, everything felt right.
“See? This is what it’s all about!” Cass exclaimed, her spirit lifted as she cheered alongside Teddy.
They both knew there were challenges ahead, but in this moment, they were just two moms enjoying the thrill of their children’s victory.
As the excitement of the first half began to settle, Cass reached into her bag and pulled out a small flask, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Hey, Teddy,” she said, leaning closer, “do you mind if I spike our coffee with a little Baileys?”
Teddy laughed, thinking it was a joke at first, but then she saw the serious look on Cass’s face. “Wait, you’re actually serious?”
Cass nodded, her enthusiasm infectious. Teddy felt a mix of hesitation and intrigue. “I don’t know, Cass. Isn’t that a bit much for a hockey game?”
“Come on, don’t be a party pooper!” Cass said, her voice light and playful. “It’s just a little bit. I promise, I’ll only add a splash. My husband and I do this all the time, and I’ll be sober by the time we have to head back to the car.”
Teddy couldn’t help but grin at Cass’s boldness, but a part of her still felt unsure. “And how exactly are you going to get out of a DUI?”
Cass smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ve got celery in the glove compartment for that very occasion! The water and vitamins help lower your BAC levels.”
Teddy shook her head, laughing despite herself. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Crazy fun!” Cass replied, pouring just a small amount of Baileys into their coffees. She took a cautious sip and sighed contentedly. “Trust me, it’ll make this game a lot more entertaining.”
With a reluctant smile, Teddy took a sip of the spiked coffee, the warmth spreading through her as they settled back into the game. They watched as the players skated up and down the ice, the energy of the rink palpable.
After some time, Teddy turned to Cass, her expression serious. “You know, I’ve been thinking. I’m too jealous of a person to be in an open relationship, and so is Owen. I definitely messed up the trust part in my marriage. He would never allow me to sleep with another person willingly.”
Cass nodded, the weight of Teddy’s words resonating with her. “I get that. It’s not easy to navigate those feelings. Especially with a jealous person.”
Taking a deep breath, Cass opened up. “The first time I realized David was cheating on me was the week after I found out I was pregnant with Colby. I was devastated. I felt so alone and betrayed that I cheated in revenge. It was a mistake, but I was just so lonely.”
Teddy listened intently, her heart aching for Cass. “And then what happened?”
Cass continued, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “I didn’t want to throw away our family. David is still my best friend, despite everything. After a huge argument, we decided to open our marriage instead. It hurt for a while, but eventually, he went back to being my dutiful husband, and strangely enough, our relationship got stronger. We learned to communicate better. Our main rule is to never put our kids or our relationship in jeopardy.”
Teddy’s eyes softened. “I’m really sorry he cheated on you. That’s- he shouldn’t have even wanted to. He had a beautiful wife and son at home.”
Cass sighed, ignoring the compliment to sip their shared drink. “It was a long time ago. Now, the biggest issue is that he mostly forgets to tell me when he’s going into surgery. It’s like I have to keep track of his schedule just to see him.”
Just then, the buzzer interrupted for halftime, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Cass turned her attention back to the rink, the worries of their conversation momentarily fading.
As they watched the teams skate off the ice, Teddy couldn’t help but feel grateful for the unexpected connection she was forming with Cass. In that moment, they were just two women, sharing stories and laughter amidst the chaos of the rink, and somehow, it felt like a breath of fresh air.
The second half of the game was a whirlwind of excitement, and when the final buzzer rang, the arena erupted in cheers. Cass and Teddy jumped to their feet, joining the chorus of parents celebrating their team’s hard-fought victory. James and Colby skated off the ice, their faces flushed with joy and pride, sweat glistening on their foreheads.
As they reunited with the boys, Cass couldn’t help but ruffle their hair, only to be met with playful protests. “Mom! Stop! We’re all sweaty and gross!” James exclaimed, trying to dodge her affection.
Teddy laughed, shaking her head. “I’m thankful my kids aren’t in sports yet. I can’t imagine dealing with all this sweat!”
Cass sniffed her boys’ hair, much to their dismay. “Ugh! You’re right! You both smell like wet dogs!” she teased, eliciting groans from both of them. “Alright, we’ll drop Teddy off at the hospital, and then you two are headed home for the longest showers of your lives!”
With that, the boys threw their gear haphazardly into the back of the car before climbing into their seats. Cass and Teddy lingered outside for a moment, the jubilant atmosphere of the game still buzzing around them.
“Thank you again for coming, Teddy,” Cass said, her voice sincere as she met Teddy's gaze. “It really meant a lot to me.”
“Stop thanking me! I had fun, and honestly, if anything, I should be thanking you for dragging me out of the hospital,” Teddy replied, her tone light but genuine.
Cass flashed a playful smile, leaning in closer. “What are friends for?” she flirted, her tone teasing.
Teddy felt a rush of warmth at Cass’s words, a mix of excitement and fear washing over her. She wasn’t ready for these kinds of feelings. “Are you sure you can drive?” Teddy asked, trying to shift the topic and regain some composure.
Cass waved her hand dismissively. “Of course! It’s no big deal.”
But Teddy’s protective instincts kicked in. “Actually, I think I should drive instead,” she insisted, a note of casual authority creeping into her voice.
With a playful huff, Cass relented, her cheeks flushing slightly as she climbed into the passenger seat. “Fine, but use that tone on me again,” she replied, shooting Teddy a flirty grin. Teddy groaned and rolled her eyes. "Just get in the car," she dismissed, shaking her head.
Teddy rounded the car and settled into the driver’s seat, face still red and turned to check the mirrors and adjust the seating, the boys in the back chatting excitedly about the game. Cass was.. opening the glove compartment?
It opened with a pop to reveal a bag of celery nestled inside. Teddy raised an eyebrow, half-laughing, half-incredulous. “You actually keep celery in here?!”
“Of course!” Cass said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “It’s my secret weapon!”
Teddy couldn’t help but chuckle, the absurdity of it all making her feel lighter. “You’re full of surprises, Cass,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Just keeping it real,” Cass replied with a wink, ending her sentence with a crunch of the vegetable as they pulled away from the rec center.