Thank you @amelink-greysanatomy for the prompt idea
/ Here’s a one-shot inspired by this line.
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Set during S16, after Amelia gave birth.
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Link and Amelia are on their way home from the hospital. Not too long ago it’s just the two of them in the car, creating lifelong memories; blasting songs in full volume, the weekly drive thrus at every donut shop around Seattle, grinning from ear to ear while the moonlight hits each others eyes like they’re snow globes in a bed of stars.
And now there’s three.
Amelia just gave birth to this beautiful baby boy. The look on her face shows how, not an ounce, does she regret her decision of raising a kid together with the love of her life.
“I miss our late night drives.” Amelia said, looking out the window. “Staying in the hospital for two days felt like years.”
“I know. Everything’s in slow motion, it sucks.” Link replied, looking back on the time he spent months back and forth in hospital rooms as a kid.
Scout is sleeping comfortably in his car seat. Amelia turned her head around to check on him.
“He sleeps like you.” she tells Link.
“Like a log?”
“Yeah, we could be in the middle of a war and you would still be sleeping.” Amelia chuckled.
“At least I don’t snore.” Link turned to her keeping a straight face.
“I don’t snore, what are you talking about?” Amelia raised an eyebrow.
“Yes you do. It’s cute really.”
“Unless you have proof that I do, I won’t believe you.”
“Now how can you be certain that you don’t? You’re sleeping, how could you possibly know.”
“No. I don’t snore. End of discussion.”
“If you say so.”
Amelia places her left hand on his face grabbing his chin.
“Okay maybe I snore... A little.” she said, pouting her lips. ”But you love me.”
“So you admit it now?” Link remarked. Amelia removed her hand from his face, squinting angrily at him.
“Hey, hey. Sorry. I’m just kidding. Of course I love you even when you snore. You can be as loud as you want.”
Hearing these three words from him turned her frown to a broad smile in no time. A magic potion is what it is.
His features are highlighted by the dazzling street lights; Amelia can’t help but run her fingers, tracing his jawline.
“Chiseled. Like a statue.” she sighed.
—
Link opened the car door for Amelia, he’s chivalrous like that. He thinks that the simple gestures are what keeps the love going. Telling her how pretty she looks when she wakes up, picking flowers and tucking them behind her ear, making tea, or just simply asking how her day went. It’s the little things.
“I got him. Go take a rest. We’d be there in a minute.” he told Amelia.
He carried Scout inside and went straight to their bedroom where they set up his blue bassinet.
Amelia was too exhausted to function that she immediately went to sleep the moment she hit the sack.
-
Birds chirping. The morning breeze slowly brushing through the curtains. It’s a beautiful day.
Link opened his eyes and caught a sight of Scout and Amelia who are still asleep.
Waking up next to her is something he looks forward to every single day of his life. Her beautiful lashes, the way her nose crinkles when she yawns, the lines between her brows which she calls “mind cleavage”, the little freckles on her face that are barely noticeable unless you look at them at a very limited distance — makes him fall in love with her even more. It’s the little things.
He got out of bed to prepare Amelia’s morning refreshment.
—
“Got it. Thank you very much.” Link said, talking to someone. He put his phone down and started boiling some water for Amelia’s favorite passion fruit tea.
Amelia walked in the kitchen and grabbed a green cup that she brought home from Meredith’s.
“Hey, who was that?” she asked.
“Oh it’s Joanne, the new nurse. She told me about my jacket, I left it at their station last night apparently.”
“And she updates you personally? Don’t we have ‘lost and found’ for that.”
“Don’t be jealous. It’s a jacket Amelia. Not a date.”
“I didn’t say I’m jealous.”
“But you are. Nothing to worry about, okay? Love you. I’m yours.” Link said as he kissed her forehead.
“Better be.” Amelia smiled. She placed her hands underneath Link’s sweater, hugging him tightly, her chest touching his back. “Is that passion fruit? god I missed that. But if I’m being honest, I missed this more.” stroking his firm, muscular abdomen.
“Nah uh, doctor’s orders. We have to wait a little longer. Little anticipation won’t hurt.” Link winked at her as if he’s plotting something. “Doctor says nothing about kissing you though.”
“And this?” Amelia placed her hand on his behind.
Link turned to her and kissed her. Slow but intense. They haven’t spent a decent alone time together in weeks. The couple was caught up in the heat of the moment that they almost did it right then and there. On the damn kitchen counter.
“Nope, nope.” Amelia pulled away. Realizing that it may be a bad decision, she grabbed his face with both hands. “You’re right, doctor’s orders. Now can I have some tea, please?” She said, handing the cup.
“Coming right up.”
Link grabbed a packet of her organic green tea that she gets from this Chinese grocery store across Grey-Sloan. He poured hot water in the cup and put two spoonfuls of puree with a little splash of honey. The way she loves it.
“Thanks babe.” she said. “I’m gonna go upstairs, don’t wanna leave him there alone.”
“Yeah, I’ll follow you in a sec.” Link replied.
—
Link walked in the bedroom and saw Amelia sitting on the bed, carrying Scout and planting a kiss on his forehead. The tears started streaming down her face which got him worried.
“Hey. You okay?” wiping the tears on her face.
“I just.. I miss Christopher.” Amelia responded, her voice was cracking, a clear indication that she might break down at any moment.
“I know we didn’t have much time together. It was literally 43 minutes. The hardest 43 minutes I have ever experienced in my life. But it’s beautiful. I keep picturing him and Scout spending time together if he had lived.” she paused.
“It pains me to think that he didn’t get to live the life the might’ve wanted, that he’ll never play soccer and run to me when he scored a goal.” Amelia started crying. She’s been feeling this emptiness ever since she found out that she’s expecting. Link knows it. He rubbed her thighs, making sure she’s not alone in this fight.
“I love Scout. More than anything. It’s just that... Christopher was a huge part of my life. Always will be. And I’m proud that in that little time he spent in this world, he changed so many lives. That’s something I would carry with me forever.”
They haven’t talked about Amelia’s first born since that morning in the plant room. Link knows that it’s something very personal to her and it would be best if he won’t bring it up until she does.
“Amelia, you’re the best mom anyone could ever ask for. What you did was brave. And selfless. That makes you and Christopher a hero. In fact, he’s watching over you right now, babe. He’s never gone.” Link consoled her.
go little rockstar.
“Just cry and scream it all out, Amelia. I’ll get you whatever you need. Okay?
- I’m always gonna be here for you.”
he slowly cradled her head, tilting it so that it rests on his shoulder. She started sobbing.
After a brief moment, she took a deep breath. “Thank you.” Amelia looked up and caught his eye.
“It’s my job.” Link replied.
Link’s phone started ringing.
“Hang on, babe.. I have to get this. You’ll be okay?” Link stood up and grabbed his phone. “I’ll be back, this will be quick I promise.”
“Tell Joanne I said hi.” Amelia sarcastically responds. “Kidding. Go. I’ll be fine.”
—
Few months after, Amelia returned to work.
“Good to see you back!” Maggie gave her a hug.
“Nice to see you around here again, Amelia. People keep asking me for you. You’re in demand.” Meredith went in for a hug as well.
“Can’t wait to cut open some brains.” Amelia grabbed the charts.
“Hey. How’s your first day back?” Link approached her.
“Besides boring, it’s going alright I guess. Had a great cup of coffee at least. How’s Scout?”
“Last time I checked, he’s sleeping. He’s fine, Angela got him.”
“Good, I like Angela. She’s a good one.”
Angela is their favorite person to leave kids with in the daycare. She looked after Meredith’s kids back in the day.
“By the way, I’d like you to meet someone. He’s a patient of mine and he knows you. His parents too. They’ve been wanting see you for days. Years if you will.” Link said.
“Did I treat them before? Alright.”
“No, but it’s more than that. You’ll see.”
-
“This is Dr. Shepherd. You know her, right? Amelia Shepherd.” Link introduced her to this kid.
“Hi! I’m Brandon. Brandon Riley.”
“Brandon... Riley.” her jaw dropped.
“Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Shepherd. You mean a lot to me you have no idea.”
While this kid seemed to be a huge fan of Amelia Shepherd: the goddess of neurosurgery, their connection goes way back.
Brandon is now residing in Seattle with his parents. Few weeks ago he was admitted to Grey-Sloan for a surgery. He broke his leg after falling down three flights of stairs. Link operated on him and is now recovering in the peds floor.
Brandon is a former heart patient at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Due to his heart condition, he needed a transplant. He received one from St. Ambrose Hospital years ago. And his parents had been grateful ever since. They have not met Amelia until today. Seeing her brought joy and heartfelt gratitude to the Rileys.
“that’s for Chicago.”
“Dr. Shepherd. We’re eternally grateful for you and your son. You changed our lives.” Brandon’s mom broke down crying that she almost knelt in front of Amelia. Link broke her fall and helped her get up.
“Mrs. Riley, I- I can’t believe this is real.” Amelia stuttered. “I’ve always dreamed of meeting the families my son has helped. And seeing Brandon in front of me right know, is just... it’s unbelievable.” she said as tears began to form in the corner of her eyes.
Am I dreaming? Is this a dream? I think it is.
“Can I.. hold his hand?” she requested. The parents granted her request without hesitation.
“Hi Brandon. It’s so nice to meet you.” trying her best to hold back her tears, Amelia glanced at Link. He gave her smile and a nod signaling that she’s doing just as fine.
“How are you? Does your leg still hurt? Dr. Lincoln is the best so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“No. I’m okay. Umm Dr. Shepherd....”
“Yeah?”
“What’s your son’s name? The one who gave me his heart.”
“It’s Christopher.”
“Do you wanna feel my heartbeat?”
The first time she felt her son’s heartbeat was also the last. It’s the longing feeling that makes her wanna reach the heavens just to have one more glimpse of him. One more chance to reconnect.
“Yes. If that’s okay with you.”
Brandon spreads his arms wide open. “I’ll give you a hug. So you can pretend you’re hugging him.”
Amelia reached out to hug him back; she felt an instant bond. She looked up and closed her eyes feeling her heartbeat syncing with his; the rhythm of each pulse started to sound like a melody. This is her son’s heart. Alive. Beating.
The realization of it all caused Amelia to dissolve into tears.
She hugged him a little tighter before letting go. “That’s a strong heart you got there. Thank you, Brandon.”
“My pleasure, Dr. Shepherd. My parents told me that the greatest present you can get is the gift of life. And Christopher gave that to me. I promise, I’ll take care of his heart.”
“You be a good boy to your parents, okay? They love you. And be careful next time.” she brushed his hair. “It’s so great to meet you in person. I only heard your name from my chief of staff before.”
-
“Bye, Brandon.” Amelia hands him her calling card. “If you and your family need anything, give me a call.”
“Thank you Dr. Shepherd.” he replied.
Amelia reached for Link’s hand and walked out of the room with him. They took one last look at Brandon through the window, displaying a smile on their faces.
“Let’s go see Scout?” Link wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him.
“Love you. Thank you for doing this.” she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
“I know how much this means to you.” Link placed his right hand on her cheek. “I love you. And if you let me, I would love Christopher like he’s my son too.”
“Of course you can, babe. I would love him to have you too as his dad.” Referring to Ryan as his biological father.
“Let’s go.” Amelia embraced him with her left arm and puts her hand inside the pocket of his white coat.
“I can still feel his heartbeat. It’s crazy.” Amelia puts her other hand on her chest.
—
Amelia and her family arrived home after a long day.
“Today was magical. I’ll never forget it.” Amelia’s overflowing happiness from her interaction with Brandon remains existent.
“Rightfully so.” Link beamed with pleasure.
Amelia opened the door and saw a huge bouquet of peonies displayed on the coffee table beside their couch.
“That’s so beautiful. Ohmygod.”
She reads the note that came with the arrangement.
“For the best mom in the world. -L”
“Awhh Link.. you’ve done so much for me already, I can’t thank you enough. I love this. They’re my favorite.”
“I know. You deserve it babe. You brought Scout into this world and no present could ever top that. Gift of life, as they say.” Link kissed her hand. “By the way, there’s no Joanne. I was talking to the florist. I had those reserved.”
“I’m relieved.” Amelia creased up.
Scout woke up and started crying. “Mommy’s here. Mommy’s here. Shhh.” she said, with her baby voice. “Someone’s hungry.”
Amelia placed him in the stroller. She grabbed a pouch of breast milk from the fridge and started warming it up.
Link sat on the couch and gazed at their picture right beside the bouquet. It was a blurry selfie from the conference they went to in San Diego. He kept it in his phone and told Amelia that if they ever end up together, they’ll have it framed no matter how horrible it looks. To take a trip down memory lane if, at any moment, they feel the desire to.
Amelia and Scout joined Link on the couch.
“Whatcha thinking?” Amelia brushed her fingers through his hair.
“You. Our family. How everything started and the things we did for each other.”
“Well...” Amelia shrugged. “I’m holding the proof. And he’s already full.” she chuckled.
A/N: Hi, it’s been a while, but here’s part 4 of If the Sun Comes Up! (AU - interns fic). This is me ignoring s17!!! Sorry for the delay, this has been repeatedly deleted from my drafts for the last week & then i didn’t even edit or make changes SO idk what all that was for. anyway thank you for sticking with this story! Previous parts here: part 1 // part 2 // part 3
Or, you can read on ao3.
_______
And so it starts, you switch the engine on
We set controls for the heart of the sun
One of the ways we show our age
_______
She has no idea how she got here. Or more specifically, how she could be pressured into something like this. Maggie typically prided herself on standing firm; standing her own ground and refusing to be swayed by others. But none of that self-proclamation holds true right now.
Because she’s here. Driving Winston’s car. Trunk filled to capacity and two of her roommates squeezed into the backseat.
The hypocrisy of it all is almost infuriating. Because Maggie hates camping.
“I hate camping,” she voices her detest out loud.
An apologetic sigh can be heard from Winston next to her, where he sits passenger side. But ultimately, it’s Amelia’s voice that grabs her attention, the bewilderment making itself known from the backseat.
“Oh, come on,” there’s an element of disbelief to her tone, and Maggie locks eyes with her through the rear-view mirror.
“Step out of your comfort zone a little, Maggie!” She raises her eyebrows, beginning to gesture with her hands. Link shuffles in his seat, where he’s squeezed in tightly beside Amelia, in an attempt to free up a little space for her body language. Some of the camping supplies had ended up packed over half of the backseat, and Maggie can’t help but chuckle at the proximity of Amelia’s hand to Link’s face as she gestures absentmindedly. “It’s camping. It’s adventurous, it’s-”
Maggie has since focused back on the road, but the sudden pause in speech makes her feel uneasy. Amelia’s focus shifts from the packaged tent next to her, to the back of Winston’s head, and then back to Maggie.
“It’s sleeping in a tent,” she continues, a spark of gleam in her eyes as she scans the couple in the front seat. “Or, maybe it’s not sleeping. Hey, I mean, whatever the two of you-”
“Amelia,” Maggie cuts in, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter as Winston’s hand comes to rest on her knee, giving it a soothing squeeze.
“Come on, babe,” Winston murmurs. “It’ll be fun. And plus, Karev would definitely be proud of us.”
Maggie grins a little, despite herself.
They’d been a bit all over the place, as a group of interns. A little bit too chaotic and never fully on the same page. As their resident, Karev was constantly voicing his impatience about the dynamics of the group. She partly thinks that yes, Alex would be proud of the bonding journey that they’d chosen to embark on, but the more realist part of her brain can’t ignore the obviousness that being roommates was probably bonding enough.
Maggie peeks in the rear-view once more, this time checking to make sure that Lexie and Jo are still following in the car behind them. She catches Amelia’s stare again and consequently feels the need to brace herself.
“Babe?” Amelia bites her lip, repeating the pet name Winston had just used. “What happened to ‘we’re just friends?’”
“We are friends.” Maggie sighs, trying her best to ignore the amusement that radiates from Winston at this specific call-out.
“And Link and I are friends,” Amelia’s quick with her rebuttal, tilting her head towards Link. “I don’t go around calling him babe.”
Link sucks in a breath, and then another one, with the addition of Amelia’s afterthought. “But maybe I’ll start.”
It’s subtle. The way Link’s face changes. He hides it just as quickly as it surfaces. But it’s there, she hasn’t imagined it, and it’s the first thing to make Maggie genuinely smile for the length of the trip so far.
“I’m kidding,” Amelia nudges Link with her shoulder. “I can come up with a better nickname than that.”
“Okay enough,” Maggie suppresses the grin she feels spreading across her cheeks. She reaches forward for the knob on the dashboard, turning the music up.
Link’s relief at the diversion tactic is almost palpable. Maggie can practically feel it from the backseat. She thinks maybe the feeling rising in her chest equates to sympathy.
She loves Amelia. She really does. Which is saying a lot, especially for her. It takes effort for her to grow comfortable with people, or to even relate on any level. She’s always felt a step ahead of most people in life. But Amelia really challenges her. It’s only been a couple of months since they’d met, and somewhere along the way, things changed. Amelia’s unpredictable nature had shifted from something Maggie initially feared, to something she appreciates. Like the human embodiment of the push she needs. The push she needs to take things less seriously, or the push she needs to open up and be spontaneous. Whatever the case, it’s never felt more necessary. Like she’s been missing out on it for too long. So, she tries to embrace it at every turn.
“Are we almost there?” Amelia pipes up again from the backseat. “I have to pee, and believe me, I’m down for a little side-of-the-road action if that’s what it comes down to-”
Maggie groans impatiently. But then she remembers about embracing it. So decidedly, her next words sound gentle. “We’re almost there, hold it together.”
_______
It ends up taking two full hours for six surgical interns to figure out how to set up a campsite. And even though the task is grueling, the level of teamwork somehow exceeds what they normally display during a typical hospital shift.
The sun starts to set as the second of the two tents finally stands on it’s own and everyone takes a moment to finally relax.
“That wasn’t too bad,” Link sits back against the tree on the outskirts of their surrounding area.
Jo huffs out a breath as she joins him, rolling her eyes. “That was two hours of my life that I’ll never get back.”
“What’s next?” Amelia steps out of the larger tent, pulling a sweatshirt over her head. “Does anyone know how to build a bonfire?”
_______
She has no idea how it got to this. How six grown adults could resort to immature party games around a campfire and feel so content about it. Maggie had been relieved when the game of ‘truth or dare’ ended as quickly as it started. She’d been hoping for something a bit more intellectual. A little less high school.
Unfortunately her hopes were never granted.
“Wait, I feel like the stakes aren’t high enough.” Amelia had tossed the observation out flimsily.
But the observation had its impact.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
And then the ideas had piled on.
“Loser has to cover my scut work in the ER all week.”
“No way.”
“Loser has to make us each a s'more.”
“Nah. Stakes not high enough.”
“Loser has to jump in the lake.”
Amelia had voiced the last one, resulting in a surprised type of silence. The type of silence that could raise stakes.
It was the ultimatum they were looking for, apparently. And to much of Maggie’s dismay, they hadn’t moved on to an intellectual game. Nothing worth raising the stakes over, at least.
Because they’d settled on a game of ‘never have I ever.’
“Okay, okay. My turn. What have I not done…?” Amelia trails off, deep in thought, and it earns some chuckles from the group. “Oh! Never have I ever had a threesome.”
Suspectful eyes dart around the bonfire, and Link’s attempt to conspicuously fold down a finger fails.
“Link!”
Jo giggles hysterically.
“You have?” There’s surprise in Amelia’s voice, and it corresponds with the way her face lights up.
“You haven’t?” Link bites back.
“Well, almost, I guess. But-”
“Okay!” Jo interjects. “No need for context! That’ll just slow us down. Link, your turn.”
“Okay,” Link grins determinedly across the bonfire, eyes landing on Amelia. “Never have I ever almost had a threesome.”
Amelia scoffs, dropping a finger.
“Wait!” Maggie fast-tracks her disapproval. “Are we singling people out now? The game will end too quickly if we-”
“Never have I ever been named after an iconic literary figure.” Amelia jumps in again, completely ignoring Maggie’s objection.
Link drops a finger, rolling his eyes. Too easy.
“Never have I ever slept with Mark Sloan.”
He sounds proud of this one. And all focus drifts to Amelia, whose eyes narrow only slightly as she drops another finger.
“You did what?” Maggie seems skeptical.
“You did what? When?” And Lexie’s voice sounds strained.
“Shit, sorry. Too far?” Link’s pride genuinely replaces itself with worry.
“I never meant for it to be a secret.” There’s something distinct about Amelia’s tone as she jumps back into the game, clearly with the intention of going after Link again. “Never have I ever-”
“No!” Maggie seems to be the only one intervening at this point. “No, stop. My turn. If we play it your way, this game will be over in two seconds.”
Amelia and Link shrug dismissively amidst the general hums of agreement.
“Never have I ever…” Maggie pauses, taking a moment to truly think on it. She racks her brain for ways to prolong the game. “Never have I ever been arrested!”
Amelia slowly drops her last finger, a grimace consuming her face, and Maggie’s mouth opens wide in shock.
“Amelia, what,” she breathes. “I was trying to keep people in the game. What-”
“We agreed on no context!” Amelia is quick to refute, forcing a grin as she repeats the request spoken earlier.
“Okay….” She draws out her response, and the next part of her sentence sounds quiet, or laced with secondhand defeat. “But you lost the game already.”
“That’s fine,” Amelia is just as quick to stand from her chair, shrugging casually at what that entails.
“Amelia-”
“To the lake? Or am I doing this without witnesses?”
Maggie’s brows furrow at the bitterness that exists in that question, but then Amelia turns, walking away from them, and Maggie is the first to go after her.
_______
"Amelia, you’re the one who made the rule. You can’t back out now.”
They’re all huddled together at the sandy area near the dock that edges out into the dark lake, and Maggie can’t hold back her impatience. She’s a rule-follower, after all. She's also cold. And she just wants to be by the bonfire again.
“I know, I know. I’m….” Amelia trails off, exhaling harshly. “Just give me a minute.”
There’s momentary quiet. The kind of quiet that nearly gives room for everyone to re-think what’s about to happen. But, if anyone's thoughts were the loudest, they were Amelia’s.
“The sun was still out when I made up this rule!”
That’s true. Maggie can give her that. It’s late now, purely dark outside except for the glow of the moonlight reflecting off of the lake.
“We don’t know what’s in there…” Amelia adds, eyes focused on the body of water before them. “We don’t know if it’s safe to swim here.”
“It’s a state park,” Winston chuckles.
“And there’s a sign right there,” Lexie adds matter-of-factly, nodding towards the edge of the sand. “No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.”
“Amelia, it's a swimming beach.”
There’s an element to Amelia’s expression that Maggie sees herself in. It provokes that feeling. The heart-lurching feeling that comes with the awareness that you can’t bring yourself to do the thing you intend to do. The restlessness that rises with the opposition of your mind moving miles a minute but your feet remaining frozen where you stand. It takes place in the nervous system. And it’s like the physical manifestation of not being able to rip the bandaid off, or not being able to take the plunge, to be more literal in this scenario.
Suddenly, Maggie’s hit with the fleeting recognition that everyone’s the same deep down. Some were just better at hiding it than others.
The revelation almost makes her feel sympathy. Almost.
Because Amelia’s version of hiding it was turning out to be displaced over-confidence.
“I knew you were all talk and no-”
“I’ll jump in with you,” Link interrupts, nudging Amelia, who shakes from her daze as she turns away from the lake, locking eyes with Link.
“Shit, I’m down, too,” Jo shrugs. “I’m right behind you guys.”
A look of pure skepticism crosses Amelia’s face, and Link just starts to grin, hugely.
“No,” Maggie breathes. “No, no, no.”
Because she knows what this is about to turn into. And then it’s all happening, fast.
Link is stripping down to his boxers, tossing his clothes into a pile on the grass just left of the dock. And then he’s running. His feet clamber against the wood paneling as he takes off over the structure that extends along the shore and into the body of water.
There’s a huge splash. And then he resurfaces, gasping.
“It’s not that deep, come on!” He yells. “And it’s warm, too. Like a hot tub!”
The next thing Maggie registers is that Jo is following suit, peeling off her sweatshirt and tossing it towards Link’s pile of clothes.
She feels Winston’s hand grip her shoulders, gently pushing her towards the dock as he murmurs “Come on, babe.”
There’s another splash somewhere, and then Jo resurfaces, giggling hysterically. "Link!” She gasps dramatically, “You liar, this is fucking freezing!”
And all Maggie can think is this is so unfair.
_______
It’s so unfair.
The fact that five people have somehow endured jumping into this lake and yet, Amelia remains unscathed. Secure, on dry land, a smirk on her face that can only signify that she thinks she’s won.
“Amelia!” Maggie yells once again. “You have thirty seconds to get into this water.”
“Maggie-”
“No way,” Maggie cuts her off before the smug tone can set her off even further. She lets go of Winston’s shoulder, which she’s been holding onto for dear life since she jumped in, and she swims closer to the dock. Closer to Amelia. “I won’t let you play us like this.”
Amelia grins further, dipping just her toes in the water. “Maggie, I’m not trying to play anyone, I-”
“Get in the water, Amelia!” Maggie shouts, but her impatience only leads to more smugness on Amelia’s behalf.
She almost gives up. Accepts defeat. But then Link is joining her, inching towards Amelia on the dock, whose expression falters only slightly as they approach.
“Should we splash her?” Maggie tilts her head towards Link, inquisitive edge to her voice. “We could splash her.”
The threat seems to be the push Amelia needs. She shakes her head incessantly as they make their advance, and she takes a deep breath before she goes to remove her jeans, adding them to the pile of clothes that everyone else has stripped off.
Jo whistles from somewhere further out into the lake and Amelia’s smirk returns, a complete result of the knowledge that she has an audience. Her classic Harvard sweatshirt gets added to the pile and then she’s on an even playing field with everyone else, dressed down to whatever underwear she’d thrown on this morning.
They continue their approach, and Amelia looks down just as a burst of wind forcibly shakes the branches of a tree above, thus causing her to wrap her arms around herself.
“You’ll warm up faster if you get in, Shepherd.” Link says in a low tone.
“I know,” Amelia’s tone is just as low. “But I’m not jumping.”
“What happened to adventurous?!” Maggie mocks her. Not harshly, but more so aiming to re-inspire the fearlessness that previously had been.
“I’m not jumping in,” Amelia repeats as she sits at the edge of the dock, letting the water hit her up to about mid-shin. “I’m just gonna kind of slide in….” She trails off as Link pushes forward, now in shallow enough water to stand. And when Amelia goes to wrap her arms around herself again, Maggie swears it’s out of modesty this time.
“It’s harder that way,” Link smiles up at her. “But okay.”
“Okay,” she repeats his sentiment, but doesn’t make any move to get into the water.
“Okay,” Maggie interjects, directing her next words at Link. “As apparently the only rule-follower here, I give you full permission to do whatever it takes to get her into this water already.”
Her instructions result in a mischievous twitch of Link’s lips, and conversely, a look of complete betrayal from Amelia.
“Your rules.” Maggie quietly defends herself.
Link turns back to Amelia, who meets his gaze with pure panic in her eyes. But he steps closer anyway, placing his hands around her shins and pulling her a couple inches closer to where he stands in the water.
She gasps. Her hands fly out, landing on his shoulders. “Wait wait wait!” She cries, the alarm in her voice matching the frantic action of her nails digging into his skin.
Link stops his movements, placing his hands on her knees as he tries to read her facial expression.
Her eyes dart between his. “You swear it’s not too cold?”
“It’s not cold, Amelia,” he murmurs, moving his hands underneath her bare thighs and pulling her forward an inch more.
Maggie looks between the two, suddenly feeling out of place, or like she’s witnessing a private moment. But, she can’t tear her eyes away. She feels transfixed by the eye contact happening between the pair, and she lets out a stunned chuckle.
“It’s not cold,” Link repeats, and now Maggie scoffs. Because this moment is becoming almost unbelievable with tension. But then Link’s expression changes. Just as quickly as flipping a switch. The facet of mischief returns to his eyes and then he’s opening his mouth again.
“And I’m so sorry for this!” He shouts as he finally pulls Amelia into the water, throwing his head back with laughter as she resurfaces before him.
Her arms are still wrapped around his shoulders in a viselike grip. “Alright, screw you for that!” She laughs as she comes to her senses, consequently letting go and distancing herself from Link. “But thank you, I guess."
“My pleasure.”
Maggie watches, eyes burning with curiosity, and she’s not able to hide the smile that creeps onto her lips as the pair move as far away from each other as possible. The interaction is way too amusing, and part of her feels like, if she were the menacing type, this would be the perfect opportunity to pay back some of Amelia’s relentless teasing with some of her own.
“Can we get out now?” Lexie swims up, interrupting her thoughts. “I’m kinda over this.”
“I just got in. Was that for no reason?!”
“And whose fault is that?” Maggie snickers. But it doesn’t sound harsh at all, as she offers Amelia a comforting smile.
When they eventually leave the shoreline, Maggie feels a sense of fondness course through her. Or maybe protectiveness. Whatever the feeling, it was definitely the stark opposite of her previous annoyance with the way the evening was turning out.
She carefully observes as Amelia slows behind the group, and she slows with her, matching her pace.
Amelia offers her a small smile, before a shiver takes over her body, interrupting her guise. It makes sense, Maggie thinks. Because soaking wet hair and the sun going down in the middle of nowhere might just bring on that sort of involuntary action.
But she can’t ignore the shift in energy. The sudden vanishing of the confidence and even the playful competitiveness.
“You okay?” She eventually asks.
“Tired.” Amelia only offers a shrug, her thumbnail nearly reaching the corner of her mouth in a restless action. But it’s like she catches herself, as Maggie’s stare burns into her, and instead she drops her hands to her sides.
“Me too,” Maggie’s voice is soft, and an impulse rises in her that screams comfort. Suddenly, her arm is wrapping around Amelia’s shoulder tightly, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Let’s get some sleep.”
_______
It’s a known fact that Maggie hates camping. She can think of several reasons for that. One of the side effects she’d fail to consider, though, was the consequent lack of rest that would come with it.
It couldn’t be any later than 5am, she concludes, as she unzips her and Winston’s tent and steps out into the dark campground.
To much of her surprise, she’s not alone. She’s not the only one experiencing the unwanted side effects of sleeping in a tent.
“Hey,” Amelia’s voice sounds gravelly, as she perks up from the chair she’s seated at around the empty bonfire. “Good morning.”
“How can it be morning?” Maggie groans. “Does it really count as morning when you didn’t get any sleep at all?”
“You’re preaching to the choir.”
Maggie frowns. “You didn’t sleep?”
“Link snores. And Lexie talks in her sleep….” Amelia weakly attempts a smile, and it just makes Maggie’s frown deepen.
“Everything alright?” She asks.
“Yeah, just wish I’d slept better.”
Maggie squints, because there’s detail there that she can’t quite decipher. She scans Amelia’s face another moment, before an idea strikes.
“Do you want to go on a hike with me? Watch the sunrise?”
“You don’t really seem like the hiking type.”
“You’re right. I guess ‘hike’ is a strong word. But anyway, how about it?”
Amelia stares blankly at her for a long moment, before eventually she nods, standing up.
“Alright,” Maggie grins. “Let me tell Winston where we’re going first.”
_______
They take a marked path. Signs at every turn highlight for them which way to go. It’s a few minutes into the hike before either of them speaks. It’s Amelia who opens up the conversation.
“Ready to be home?”
Maggie laughs. “Absolutely. I’ve been ready since the moment we got here.”
“Well, hopefully they have the cars all packed by the time we get back.”
Maggie nods, then reaches for the water bottle she’d brought with her, taking a few sips.
“Do I tease you and Winston too much?”
The question completely catches Maggie off guard, and she harshly swallows her sip of water.
“Huh?”
“I can be….a little overbearing sometimes. But,” Amelia offers a quick side-glance. “At least I’m self aware about that.”
“Not at all. I mean, honestly, Winston gets a kick out of it so-”
“Yeah, but do you?”
Maggie stops walking, her face muddled with confusion. It takes Amelia a moment to realize she’s stopped, and she turns around, meeting Maggie’s stare expectantly.
“Amelia….If it bothered me I would tell you.”
Amelia nods at this information, and then turns away, continuing on the path.
“Was I too harsh last night? About the rules of the game?” Maggie quickens her pace, catching up.
“No,” Amelia laughs under her breath. “We needed the discipline, I think.”
“Yeah but you didn’t need to jump into that lake. I can be a little of overbearing sometimes, too, so-”
“Nah. We balance each other out.”
Maggie squints, a little surprised by that observation. She’s taken aback by the accuracy of it, and it’s evident in her inflection.
“We kind of do, don’t we?”
Amelia beams at her, before her gaze returns to the path below. “I’m glad we came to that realization.”
Comfortable silence falls between them, and there’s a few minutes dedicated purely to the hike, before Amelia clears her throat to speak again.
“Although, I am trying to jump less. So maybe I need you to balance me out just a little more.”
“You lost me,” Maggie quirks an eyebrow at her. “Are we talking about the lake still?”
“Metaphorically. Maybe.”
Maggie’s expression just grows more perplexed, urging Amelia to continue.
“I’ve been….historically known to jump into things. Or people. Or habits, or…” She cuts herself off with a harsh breath, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. “I’d like to do that less. The whole….jumping blindly and hoping I’ll land, thing. So. Maybe I need you to balance me out a little more.”
Maggie nods, slowly grasping the explanation. “I get that.”
“Do you?”
“Well, no,” Maggie frowns. “I’ve never been one to….do anything, really, without weighing the pros and cons first. But, I do get what you’re saying, though. Even if I can’t personally relate.”
Amelia keeps her eyes glued to the path ahead, and the lack of response forces Maggie to attempt filling the silence with her own self-reflection.
“I’ve been thinking of taking a note from you, in that way, actually. Sometimes I really need to think less.”
This makes Amelia smile. “Maybe we can try to meet in the middle somewhere.”
“Yeah, that might be good for us.”
As the conversation trails off again, Maggie can’t help but question what specifically Amelia is referencing. She doesn’t want to push, especially given her recent self-proclamation as overbearing. But part of her thinks that one last inquiry won’t hurt.
“You and Link seem to have fun.”
Amelia’s eyes snap up to Maggie’s face before the sentence is even finished.
“What makes you say that?”
There’s not an ounce of emotion in Amelia’s expression. It’s probably the best poker face Maggie has ever seen. And so she’s careful with her next words, her voice slow and questioning.
“I just mean....you know….the banter?”
“Banter?”
“Yes the banter, Amelia,” she lets out a stunned chuckle. “I don’t know how else to put it! It’s like you’re constantly play-fighting. It’s like….it’s like this weird, alluring competitiveness that’s almost uncomfortable to watch. It’s being at each other’s throats over a stupid game of ‘never have I ever.’ It’s the craziest form of flirting I’ve ever witnessed, and it’s-”
“Link and I are friends.”
“Winston and I are friends.” She bites down on her grin, trying to contain the pride that radiates as she uses Amelia’s own pointed claims against her.
“Okay, don’t pull that on me.”
“I think it’s perfectly fair-”
“Maggie.”
“Amelia.”
Two pairs of eyes tighten upon scrutinized contact.
“Amelia,” she softens her expression a bit. “All I’m saying is….despite it being weird to watch.” She releases an awkward exhale. “I think it works. I think you’ve kinda met your match.”
“There’s no match to be made, Maggie! I’m-”
They’re both a little caught off guard by the frustration and volume of Amelia’s tone. And Amelia takes a moment to breathe before she continues, an octave lower this time.
“I’m jumping less, remember?”
Maggie wants to frown. She wants to disagree. She almost wants to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
But they’re edging towards the outskirts of the campsite. She can hear voices, and the distinct sound of car trunks slamming shut. Which signifies that they’re nearing the end of the hike, so she bites her tongue instead, because Amelia looks too exhausted to argue it more.
They clear the trees, entering the campground, and Winston watches them approach.
“Hey! Cars are packed, but it’ll be a tight squeeze again,” he smiles sympathetically. He walks forward to rest his hands on Maggie’s shoulders in familiar reassurance. “And you get to sleep in the car, because this time I’m driving.”
_______
Maggie doesn’t think she’s imagining this part.
Her lack of sleep the night prior results in Winston’s refusal to let her drive. Which only bothers her a little, because the exhaustion outweighs her requisite for control.
Her eyes feel heavy as she rests her head against the window. She tries to focus on the road ahead as Winston drives; doesn't want to give up being a second pair of eyes as she sits passenger side. But her fatigue gets the best of her. Although it’s difficult to separate her overtired brain from certainty, she doesn’t think she’s imagining this part.
She hears it first. Link’s chuckle.
It’s enough to shake her from her reverie. She lifts her head and tries to be conspicuous as she turns, glancing into the backseat.
Amelia’s sat in the middle seat again, squeezed tightly between the camping supplies and then Link on the other side of her. Her eyes are fighting to stay open, and she's doing that weird head bobbing thing. That subconscious move that happens quite literally before falling asleep.
“Hey. Here.”
The sound of Link’s voice causes Amelia’s eyes to widen, quickly becoming aware of herself. She continues to blink, fighting off a bout of exhaustion that Maggie completely sympathizes with.
When Amelia locks eyes with him, Link simply pats his shoulder, indicating a potential landing spot for her head.
She frowns tiredly at him.
“Just do it,” he shrugs, patting his shoulder again. “I’m a better option than that boxed tent.” He nods past her. “As far as pillows go, at least.”
Amelia seems to fight it for a second. She really does. Her eyebrows pull together as she continues to stare blankly at Link.
Maggie diverts her attention because once again, she feels like she’s intruding on some private moment. But she remains listening. She can’t help it. There’s some shuffling around and then-
“Hm.” She hears Amelia hum. “You do make a decent pillow.” It’s followed by a murmured “Thank you.”
“Sure. What are friends for?”
Link’s response is barely a whisper, but Maggie can hear it still, even over the general hum of the highway below. She doesn’t think she’s imagining this part.
What are friends for?
It’s enough to make her turn in her seat again, an incredulous stare plastered on her face as she raises her eyebrows in Link’s direction.
He seems not to notice her interest, or rather her disbelief. Because his focus is consumed by the dark head of hair resting against his shoulder.
Amelia’s eyes are shut tight, her expression revealed when she adjusts herself slightly against him. And then Link smiles to himself, still unaware of the scrutiny descending from the front seat.
Maggie allows the doubt to flood her mind as she turns to rest against her own window again, and she fights off a smile as she lets her eyes finally close.
Prompt: Can you please do a fic with Meredith and Maggie meeting the baby? Plz don’t forget to like and repost my fics if you enjoy, it makes all the difference! Also, please keep sending prompts and any questions. They make my day! Hope this lived up to expectations!💕
Guaranteed
Amelia was in awe of the tiny baby lying on her bare chest, his little head peeking through the neckline of her thin hospital gown. This baby was alive and breathing and not going to live for only forty-three minutes. She didn’t know whether she was relieved by this idea or even more scared, knowing that this baby would be a product of her own parenting.
“Hey, Mommy,” Link said softy, his forehead resting on the doorway as if he’d been standing there awhile. “You okay?”
“We’re good,” she answered before shrugging. “I can’t seem to get him to latch.”
“The nurse came?”
“Yeah,” she mumbled. “He was good for a bit but then stopped the minute that she left. I haven't been able to get him on since.”
“He’s sleeping?” Link asked.
“Yeah,” she replied, gazing down at the little resting infant on her chest. “He seems alright.”
“Maybe, he’s just not hungry.”
“Maybe.” Link moved to the bed, kissing her forehead and reaching behind her ear to tug at the elastic holding her hair in place. The chocolate curls came tumbling down from the loose bun.
“There we go.” He smiled. “I’m a lucky guy.” He met her deep blue eyes with a lopsided grin.
“I’ve never felt better in my life, sweaty and exhausted. Not to mention the horror movie scene going on below the covers.”
“They stitched you up?”
“While you were gone. Nothing like getting your vagina sutured without pain meds.”
“Amelia—” Link winced.
“Yeah, just you finally think the pain is over they inform you that they have to suture up all the perineal lacerations caused by your six foot two boyfriend’s baby coming out of your five foot three girlfriend’s vagina.” Link chucked, pulling Amelia’s hospital gown neckline towards him as he peeked at the little baby sleeping on her chest. “He wouldn’t fall sleep unless it was skin to skin contact. I had to take him out of his onesie and everything. You missed a lot of crying.”
“My kinda guy. Doesn’t settle for anything less than the skin to skin stuff.”
“Link.” Amelia rolled her eyes, stifling a yawn.
“You tired, babe? Want me to take him?” Link offered.
“Sure, but if he has a meltdown I’m leaving.”
“Oh so every time our baby cries, from now on, you’re just walking out?” He teased. “Don’t worry he knows his daddy.” As Link rolled up her gown and lifted the baby into his arms Amelia was shocked to see that he didn’t even stir. Instead, he only burrowed into Link’s chest further and babbled sleepily. “See? Daddy’s boy.” To which Amelia rolled her eyes. “Meredith and Maggie we’re asking about you and the baby. I told them I’d ask to see if you were up for a visit.”
Amelia’s eyes widened. “I completely forgot. Of course they can come meet him. It’s probably a good time since he seems so relaxed now.” She reached for her phone and sent a quick text to their sister group chat. “I’ll just get changed and maybe take a shower. Are they still at the hospital?”
“I’m not sure. They were in the attending lounge when I saw them. They could’ve gone home but I’m not sure.”
“Okay, well tell them I’m showering if they come and will be right out.” She leaned over to give their little boy a kiss on the forehead and Link a quick one on the lips. She entered the small bathroom attached to their room. Happy to get out of the thin and uncomfortable material of the hospital gown, she undressed quickly before stealing a look at herself in the mirror. She frowned as she studied her reflection. Her chest was enlarged, swollen and tender to the touch. Most likely from the failed attempts to get Jake to nurse. She ignored her stomach and was surprised to find her vaginal area discoloured with bruising. With Christopher her labor had been debatably easier and had experienced bruising but nothing like she was witnessing at that moment. Shrugging she turned on the shower and stepped in. She wasn’t shocked to find bleeding, which was minimal and normal.
She soothed her greasy scalp with the fragranceless shampoo and conditioner in the shower before washing the rest of her body cautiously and stepping out of the shower. She used the pathetically small towel hung up on the ring beside her before pulling on the pyjamas that Link had packed her. They’d decided on Jake Derek Lincoln after not only Addison’s husband, but the man who helped Amelia through her first pregnancy. Derek after the obvious. They’d talked about hyphenating their last names but it just seemed like too much of a mouthful and Amelia had made him promise that if he ever hurt her that she’d force him to sign off for it to be Shepherd immediately. To which he’d laughed before shrugging and saying that it didn’t matter that much to him anyways. When she opened the bathroom door she was surprised to find Meredith and Maggie in the hospital bed. Link glanced up at her from his chair.
“Still doing okay, babe?”
“All good,” she sighed, moving to the edge of the bed.
“Sorry, we couldn’t go home before seeing the baby. Maggie’s been complaining all day,” Meredith grumbled, a hint of joy, however, behind her eyes.
“I would’ve said you could come earlier—”
“It was worth it,” Maggie interrupted softy, her eyes not moving from the little bundle in her arms. “Hi baby. Have you guys decided on a name?”
“Jake Derek Lincoln, for now.” Amelia answered, narrowing her eyes at Link who chuckled.
“Until I screw up apparently,” Link teased, patting his lap for Amelia to come sit.
“Are you guys staying the night?” Meredith asked, eyeing the neurosurgeon’s obvious discomfort as she lowered herself slowly onto his lap. “Sorry, Amelia, come sit on the bed.” Amelia put a hand up and shook her head before leaning comfortably onto Link’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her legs up carefully.
“I’m trying to get Carina to let me go home. I feel almost safer in the presence of all of you than here,” she joked. “I just want to sleep in my own bed and we already have the crib set up and everything. Though, I doubt he’ll be leaving our arms for at least tonight.”
“Fair enough. You’re lucky your room is still yours. Since you’ve been at Link’s apartment so often Zola’s been begging for your room.” Meredith smiled before lifting the baby from Maggie’s arms and into hers.
“Hey...” Maggie whined. “I can go talk to Carina and then we could all leave together. We’re off until tomorrow.”
“Perfect,” Amelia nodded thankfully.
Prying the baby out of Maggie and Meredith’s grasp was almost impossible. Amelia had finally fallen asleep on the couch and Link has been attempting to convince them to give the baby up for the last half hour.
“You are the perfect baby,” Maggie cooed. She wasn’t wrong. Jake had hardly stirred other than to open his big blue eyes and gurgle happily, maybe grasping a finger before falling back into a motionless sleep. Although, to Amelia’s disappointment, was still having trouble relieving her of her swollen and sore chest.
“He has been pretty great today,” Link chuckled, running a hand distractedly through Amelia’s hair and wishing they could be upstairs so that he could be holding her and their newborn son. “I think they’re both pretty tired so we should probably head up now.”
“I could do this all night,” Meredith smiled, recalling on her days with Ellis curled up in her arms as Jake was now. “It’s weird to think these days are over...but probably for the best,” she laughed softy before handing Link his little boy.
“Thank you guys. Jake is really lucky to have a family like this to grow up in.” He was reminded of how little love had been shared between his parents during his childhood and promised silently to never raise his child the same way. As he glanced over at Amelia, sleeping soundlessly in his lap, he knew that it wouldn’t be difficult. “Hey babe,” Amelia yawned, her eyes opening into slivers. “Time to go upstairs. I’d carry you up but I don’t think I could manage you and the baby.”
“I guess those days are over,” Amelia mumbled tiredly.
“Goodnight, Amelia,” Maggie said as her and Meredith watched the two make their way out of the living room.”
“I can’t promise the kids won’t be all over the both of you tomorrow,” Meredith called. “They’ve been asking me about their new cousin constantly for the last couple of weeks. I’ll try to keep them at bay so that you can get some rest.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Amelia sleepily answered.
Once they were upstairs it took all of Amelia’s effort not to crawl into bed. She left Link to change Jake’s diaper and get him into pyjamas and walked into the bathroom. She changed into a loose pair of black shorts and an oversized t shirt. After washing her face, she examined the blood situation and returned to the room to find Link fast asleep with Jake babbling happily on his chest, playing with his father’s hair. “Oh so now you’re awake.” Amelia sighed. She lifted the baby into her arms and winced as Jake applied direct pressure on her chest.
“Usually when you complain about being sore a message helps,” Link teased, woken up by her groan.
“You’re not coming anywhere near my boobs for a very long time if this guy can’t get it together,” Amelia sighed.
“Well in that case let’s figure this out,” He smiled, pulling Amelia in between his legs and resting her back on his stomach. “I asked the nurse for some tips before leaving and she said you just have to try and cup it like this.” He wrapped an arm around her helping to guide Jake. “There we go buddy. Now here, Amelia, give me your hand. Like this, babe.”
“Oh,” she murmured as Jake finally latched on. “Why did you let me suffer through hours before telling me this.”
“Meredith and Maggie—”
“Could’ve waited!” Amelia exclaimed. Link laughed, burrowing his face in her neck apologetically and breathing in the sweetness of her perfume. Amelia relaxed into him. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” It wasn’t long before Amelia nodded off. Link removed the satisfied baby from her arms. Careful to not wake Amelia, he set Jake down, removing his scrubs and changing into a new pair boxers before crawling into bed. Not wanting to put Jake in his crib just yet, he placed the sleeping baby on Amelia, who cradled him in her sleep and wrapped his arms around her. Completely content with watching the both of them resting, he knew, that for himself, it would be a sleepless night.
A/N: shoutout to everyone that sent me song recs I'm feeling hella inspired and I’m gonna keep them in my inbox to come back to for future one shots! <3 credit to the anon that sent me this song...i wrote this so fast in my head and now it’s here! This is pretty amelia-centric but there’s a hint of amelink in here too, so hope u enjoy!
TW: implied drug use
also this is for @wordsxstars bc chloe ur my angst buddy forever !!
_______
I’m the violence in the pouring rain
I’m a hurricane
Come and fade me
Come and fade me
I’m a hurricane
_______
It rained the day she was born. Like really rained. It was the kind of torrential downpour that turned the whole sky a threateningly dark mix of indigo and grey.
Her Mother hadn’t planned for it. Hadn’t considered the impact that the weather would play on her child’s entrance into the world.
And she’d felt a lighthearted resentment towards this child, for deciding to push her way out at such an inconvenient time.
Because they’d sat in traffic.
Full of panic.
In the middle of a city-wide weather emergency.
“Leave it to baby number five,” her Mother had breathed through a contraction, hands gripping tightly to the cushions of the passenger seat. “To be born….during….a hurricane.”
“This hasn’t been classified as a hurricane yet, Carolyn-”
The glare she’d given her husband was enough to shut him up as she exhaled through the pressure of her contractions.
And she’d gripped the edges of the seat even tighter.
//
The same way Amelia does now, 18 years later.
Her fingers grip the edges of the seat, and her fingernails scratch over the fabric lightly, as she stares out the passenger side window.
It’s raining out. Not a downpour or anything. But steadily enough to trigger that feeling. That feeling that’s uncertain and nostalgic at the same time. Two practically opposite notions that crash together like the thunder that’s threatening the sky.
She hears Derek clear his throat, and her gaze snaps to his just in time.
Just in time for her to witness her brother’s eyes dart from her tightly-wound fingers to the road ahead as he drives.
She quickly moves her hands, on instinct. Burying them in her lap instead. There’s an overly-positive inflection to her brother’s tone as he speaks out into the space between them.
“I was nervous, too,” he laughs a bit under his breath, like he’s recalling a specific memory. “When I went away to school.”
“I’m not nervous.”
Disbelief flashes quickly across his face, but then he replaces it with something more soft. Like he’s deciding to give his younger sister the benefit of the doubt. Like he’s actually letting her have this one.
“Well, then….I’m impressed.”
Amelia rolls her eyes. And then she shivers involuntarily.
There’s something about being in an air-conditioned car, protected from the heat of the storm outside. It causes chills to rise through her body, despite it being the end of August. She turns in her seat, reaching towards the back of the car, to where all of her belongings are packed. Pulling out a crocheted blanket, she twists forward in her seat again and covers her bare legs with it.
She stares at the road ahead, finding patterns in the wet pavement, before she tentatively opens the conversation back up.
“Was Mom with you?” She utters the question, and she doesn’t let herself look in Derek’s direction. “Was Mom there to drop you off at college?”
It’s not until after she voices the question, that she realizes. Realizes that’s the thing that’s potentially been bothering her.
Derek sighs. And his hands grip the steering wheel a little tighter.
“She was.”
Amelia nods.
This answer doesn’t surprise her. And it doesn’t hurt either. It’s mostly just numb acceptance at this point.
She finally turns to him, and she almost doesn’t recognize herself in her next question.
“It’s because I look like him, right?”
It’s the first time she’s comprehended it out loud. The weight of it hits her like a ton of bricks. The fact that it all comes back to that.
“Who?”
Amelia gives him an incredulous stare, her mouth forming in a tight line. It amplifies her refusal to feed into Derek’s decided lack of wit.
Because he knows what she’s asking.
And Derek knows that Amelia knows that.
Amelia refuses to blink. She lets her eyes become unfocused as she stubbornly holds her gaze.
Until Derek eventually nods, giving up.
“Amelia….” He sighs. “You look like me.” He turns briefly in her direction, like he’s hoping her stare will have faltered slightly at his explanation so far. But it hasn’t. She’s relentless sometimes.
He exhales a bit shakily before he continues, eyes shifting back to the road.
“You look like me….and you look like Dad, too.”
Amelia finally lets herself blink at that. Relief floods her dry eyes and her mind, too.
She turns back to the window, focusing instead on the world around them. Her eyes land on two particular raindrops against the window. And she smiles slightly as she watches them drop down towards the ledge. Like it’s a race to see which raindrop finishes first. Which raindrop will dip first into the crack of the window pane, where it’ll disappear forever.
//
It’s a game she played as a child, too.
She loved to watch the raindrops race against the plastic walls of her playhouse. In the quiet corner of her vast backyard.
It had rained on the day of her 6th birthday party. And Amelia had almost been glad for that.
Her Mother had talked it up the entire week.
“Saturday is Amy’s birthday!”
“Saturday is all about Amy!”
But it felt false to Amelia, even as a 6-year-old.
The forced element of the celebration. And the way her Mother had demanded her siblings participate, too.
But the party was cancelled. And Amelia instead found herself in her favorite place to be during a rainstorm. Surrounded by the yellow walls of her plastic playhouse.
Derek had found her that day. A smile playing at his lips as he ducked his wet head of hair into the window of her little hideaway.
“Whatcha thinkin about, Amy?”
//
“What are you thinking about?”
Amelia quickly shakes from her daze, abandoning the slight pride she’d just felt at her choice of raindrop winning the race against the car window.
She turns to Derek, and she even smiles a bit in his direction.
“I’m thinking about….starting over.”
“Starting over?!” Derek gives her one of his classic smiles. There’s an element of surprise to it, that lands in his eyes. But ultimately it’s laced with excitement, through and through. “Starting over is good.”
Amelia beams at him. It starts off small but she can feel the way it grows on her face. It’s the kind of grin that makes her cheeks dimple.
Derek shakes his head, laughing under his breath as he faces the road again.
“You know….no one wants you to start completely over, Amy.”
She raises her eyebrows at this, her grin transforming into more of a doubtful smirk at her brother’s words.
“Well I, for one, don’t want you to change.”
Amelia exhales a slight chuckle.
“I’ll try not to get rid of the good parts,” she mutters.
Derek is focused on the road in front of them, so all Amelia can really decipher, is his side profile. But she can see it. The hint of glassiness in his grey-blue orbs.
Silence falls between them, and Amelia feels a tightness form within her own throat. She attempts to clear it, tries to alleviate what the moment is turning out to be. But then Derek starts speaking again in a low tone, and the tightness spreads itself further.
“Dad would be so proud of you, you know.”
Amelia smiles tightly.
She only half believes that statement.
Because truthfully, she has no idea how she got here. How she managed to make it this far anyway. That realization hits her hard and fast and suddenly she doesn’t care that her eyes are stinging the same way Derek’s were a moment ago.
“I wish I remembered him better,” she admits, and her voice is notably thin.
Derek turns to her, his eyes filled with something Amelia can’t quite place.
“I feel like….” She continues, ignoring the way her voice wavers. “My idea of him comes from the pictures I’ve seen? If that makes sense? And I don’t have the actual memories anymore….I don’t….I wish I remembered what he was really like, you know? His voice, his mannerisms, everything-”
“I know what you mean.”
They exit the freeway, the car slowing at a stoplight as they enter the college town.
“You’re so like him in so many ways, Amelia.” Derek says it in a whispered tone, as they turn onto the main road. Like the comprehension is overwhelming to even him. “So….just like you said….don’t get rid of the good parts, okay?”
Amelia lets herself smile as she turns away from him, eyes scanning the surroundings of the town that will be her new home. The rain has died down significantly, and Amelia questions whether that’s an accurate observation, or if it’s just that they’re driving at a slower speed now.
“Okay,” she eventually responds.
//
“Are you okay?”
The question had come from Derek.
“Jesus Christ, you scared me,” Amelia had practically gasped upon slipping through the front door. She thought she’d been inconspicuous.
Derek stared at her expectantly.
“I’m fine,” she muttered, but she couldn’t stop her teeth from chattering.
“It’s pouring out. Did you walk?” There’d been criticism in his voice.
“You’d be more upset if I said I drove, right?”
“Amy.”
“Derek.”
They’d been at a standoff. In the middle of the entryway. Both of them seemingly unphased by the mix of mud and water that tracked all over their Mother’s favorite area rug.
Derek sighed. And Amelia stared at the floor. Unable to make eye contact, too aware that her eyes were hinted red and full of haze.
“Why didn’t you call me for a ride?”
“I didn’t know you’d still be here.” Her reply sounded bitter. But maybe it had just been the tightness in her jaw, the pressure from fighting off the wet and the cold.
There was a moment of stunned silence.
“You missed Dad’s birthday dinner.” Derek’s tone had been accusatory again.
“Dad missed it, too.”
“Amelia-”
She’d cut Derek off with a bizarrely edged laugh.
Their Dad’s birthday dinner. They’d celebrate every year as a family. They’d sit down and have dinner together. And Amelia ultimately despised it. Mostly because they’d started grouping it together with her own birthday celebration. Her birthday followed a week after their Dad’s. And it just served as another reminder. Another reason for displaced resentment.
Amelia bit down on her laugh, stunned. She’d be turning 16 the following week.
“Amelia.” He said it again, this time more cautionary.
She finally looked at him. And she could see genuine concern in his expression.
“Are you okay?” He asked for a second time.
All Amelia could do was nod.
“Are you on your way out?” She whispered the question.
And then it was Derek’s turn to nod.
“I just wanted to say goodbye before I took back off to school,” he explained. “And I wanted to tell you happy birthday.”
Amelia smirked coldly at him, and finally started moving towards the stairs.
“Bye, Derek.”
//
2 years later and they’ve yet to improve this part.
It’s a rushed goodbye. Like it usually is for them. They don’t do goodbyes very well. Maybe that had something to do with shared past experiences.
Derek helps her set up her dorm room and when there’s nothing left to do, a knowing shift occurs in the atmosphere.
He pulls his hands out of his pockets, and forces a smile on his face. And when he pulls her into a tight hug, it takes Amelia a moment to reciprocate the gesture.
But Derek just squeezes her tighter until she does.
“You’re going to love it here, Amy,” he mumbles, before pulling away.
And Amelia just nods. Not able to find her words.
Because they’re bad at goodbyes. Which Derek knows. So he lets her off the hook, backs out of the small room with one last glance in her direction.
And Amelia watches him go.
//
Amelia doesn’t love it here, right away.
She tries to. She really does.
She sits in the shared common areas and convinces herself that maybe she’ll step up and talk to someone today.
It’s strange. She’s an outgoing person. She could be the life of the party when she really wanted to. But, she sits now, textbooks open in front of her, glancing around the library at fellow students. And she feels worlds beyond them. She questions to herself how she can even feel years beyond people her own age.
And that’s the self-inquiry that ruins her plan. She gets way too inside her own head and it hinders any chance she has at trying today.
Instead she gets up, shoving her books into her bag and walking purposefully to the exit.
It’s when she reaches her dorm, that the rain starts. She can smell it first. The distinct way the air changes when it’s about to rain. It feels humid and thick and her skin starts to feel sticky before the cold front lightly passes over her, and it provides relief.
The sky gets dark and it starts to sprinkle, just as she climbs the steps of her building.
As she enters her room, a dark cloud of restlessness storms her mind. Because she doesn’t know what her next move is. What her plan is for the rest of the day.
She looks around the small room, eyes catching on a piece of paper that’s been slipped under her door.
She picks it up, and when she reads the words on the flyer, she wants to laugh to herself. Because it simply lists an address for a party later tonight. And she’s laughing because, is this really how college works?
She decides there’s no way she’s going to the party.
//
After 2 hours of staring at the ugly off-white paneling of her dorm room ceiling, Amelia sits up in bed.
Because there’s a hint of it. A fleeting thought. A question that flashes through her mind almost too quickly to even divulge in.
But it’s there. The question of ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’
It’s enough to make her get out of bed. Which is confusing, to say the least. Because she hadn’t anticipated spending her evening this way. But now she’s pulling open her dresser drawers, trying to find something to wear. And she’s glancing at herself in the mirror, reaching for her makeup bag at the same time.
The last thing she remembers thinking, when she exits her dorm room is, what’s the worst that could happen?
//
The worst that could happen, happens almost right away.
It takes place in the form of ‘jungle juice.’
“It’s called jungle juice!”
Amelia stares blankly at the frat boy in front of her. She’s standing way too close to the bouncing speakers and the music is way too loud.
“What?!”
“Jungle juice!” He yells again, “Basically everyone brings a fifth of something and it all gets poured in there! It’s disgusting, but it makes for a dangerous concoction! Want me to grab you a cup?”
Amelia shakes her head. She doesn’t know what she was thinking.
Well, that’s not entirely true. She was thinking that she had to at least try. Give a shot at relating to people her age.
She surveys the boy in front of her. He’s attractive. Jet black hair, green eyes and even a slightly alternative vibe to him. It surprises Amelia, considering she’s in a frat house. He seems unexpected. And maybe her type. She’d probably go for him, if she wasn’t currently so inside her own head about it.
She feels her nails dig lightly into the palms of her hands as she drops her arms to the side, and she immediately catches herself. She exhales, trying to relax.
“I’ll grab something else, probably!” she yells back to the boy patiently standing in front of her.
Patiently, she thinks. Because she’s already a step ahead of him, labeling him, and she knows she’s someone that requires patience in events like these.
She shifts her eyes away from him, instead looking to the tiny window in the corner of the crowded room. It’s raining outside. Drops of condensation race against the glass in a familiar motion.
A feeling swells in her chest that’s hard to ignore. There’s a strong desire to escape her current environment and it practically makes her want to crawl out of her skin.
“I’m not supposed to be here!” She shouts over the music, turning back to the conversation.
“Huh?!”
“It’s raining!” She’s an octave louder this time.
“Yeah! It’s good we’re inside, right?!”
Amelia shakes her head, stepping away. Ignoring the confusion on the boy’s face, she turns on her heels, pushing through the crowd until she can find an exit. When she finally makes it out onto the less crowded porch, she lets out a huge exhale.
She keeps waking. The sun is setting, and the impending storm makes the sky a glorious shade of violet.
The rain pelts her skin as she walks hastily through the campus and although it provides relief, there’s also a sense of something else. It’s almost yearning. Or maybe homesickness. But it doesn’t make sense, because she’s never craved home before.
She thinks she’s crying. She can’t really tell. It’s hard to separate the rain from any potential saltiness that threatens her cheeks. The only thing that gives her away is her labored breathing.
She’s overwhelmed. And for once in her life she wishes Derek were here. He’d know the right thing to say.
Her thoughts are interrupted when a figure passes her on her left. It’s sudden. She doesn’t anticipate it and she doesn’t hear anyone approach, mostly because her thoughts are so loud and there’s thunder starting to rumble through the sky.
“Fuck,” she gasps, hand clutching her chest as the stranger passes her.
He’s running, but he slows his jog after she voices her alarm.
He turns around, taking in Amelia’s startled expression.
“Oh, sorry!” His own surprised guise shifts quickly to one of concern, though.
“Are you okay?” He asks, voice raised to compensate for the rain as he calls out to her.
Amelia nods.
“You just scared me, is all,” she shrugs.
He looks her up and down, but Amelia doesn’t even feel scrutinized by it.
He steps towards her. And Amelia finds her voice.
“Out for a run?” She’s surprised by her own curiosity.
He shakes his head as he approaches. “I was walking back from the library,” he points to the sky, in an obvious gesture. “And then it started raining….and I started running….”
Amelia feels a smile break across her face, the dimpled kind. Because there’s something about the way he looks up at the sky while he explains himself, that amuses her.
He turns to her, and he has a wide grin on his face as he catches his breath from running. Not wide in the way that he’s smiling hugely, or anything. But Amelia can tell that his typical smile just happens to stretch that far. It makes her own smile further.
“You heading to north hall?”
Amelia nods.
“I live there, too!” He exclaims. “Food sucks but we have the biggest closets out of all the dorms on the entire campus.”
Amelia raises her eyebrows at this.
“Am I….bothering you?” His grin quickly fades. “God, I didn’t mean to just start….walking with you. Sorry, shit. You must think I’m some sort of-”
“You can walk with me,” she bites down on another smile. Because it’s the most she’s smiled in weeks and it feels foreign to her. “It’s fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah,” she peeks sideways at him. “As long as we don’t have to start running,” she adds with a laugh.
His smile returns. And they keep waking. The rain starts to die down a bit, but Amelia questions whether she’s imagined that. She can see the rain. And maybe she can hear it, too. But she can’t really feel it. Her focus has shifted.
“I’m Amelia, by the way.”
“Amelia?” He repeats her name, and there’s a spark of interest in his inflection, like he’s really doing his best to store that information.
She nods.
They reach north hall. The rain has come to a complete halt, and Amelia thinks it would almost feel sunny, if the sun hadn’t already set.
A/N: I got this prompt requesting something from Link’s POV and I struggggggled with that concept but here it is. Something very random and fluffy bc next week’s promo is scaring me and I wanted to write something cute to distract myself. This is also basically my love letter to season 15 amelink bc I miss them so very much. Hope you enjoy & as always feedback and prompts are welcome <3
_______
Sometimes she snores.
And it makes Link smile.
Like right now. She’s snoring, but just barely. It’s faint. And it’s rare.
She’s a quiet sleeper. Sometimes she sleeps so soundlessly, that Link almost finds himself questioning whether she’s actually breathing, eyes scanning for the rise and fall of her chest. Just to make sure.
This morning though, there’s no question about it. The light snore only ever occurs when she’s in a deep sleep. And this is one of those occurrences.
It’s a Sunday morning. Which means they don’t have anywhere to be. But Link is wide awake anyway. Amelia faces him, curled into herself slightly, her faint snores fluttering against the stray pieces of dark hair that rest over her cheek. She sleeps on her side, and Link mirrors her position. She has her free arm draped between them, the arm that’s not currently trapped underneath her. And her hand loosely grasps his t-shirt, even in sleep.
This is when Link is most content, he thinks. On Sunday mornings. When they have no obligations other than to be exactly where they are. Sometimes he thinks he wants to live in Sunday mornings forever.
Amelia sighs. And her hand twitches slightly against him. But she doesn’t wake. Link's smile widens, and he reaches his own hand forward to begin gently tracing a pattern over her bare arm. She has a freckle on her shoulder, just to the right of her tank top strap, and another freckle on the outside of her wrist. Link traces a route, lightly with his finger, from one freckle all the way down to the other. Up and down. Back and forth.
Amelia shivers and Link halts his finger. Her eyes don’t open, but the absence of her snores is his first indication.
“What are you doing?” she mumbles, voice hoarse.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Her eyes blink open, adjusting to his stare.
“Were you watching me sleep?”
Link ignores her question. A question she likely already knows the answer to. He resumes his finger’s pattern against her arm, and a moment later, he speaks again.
“You have a lot of freckles.”
Amelia frowns.
“I do not.”
“Why do you say that so defensively?” He chuckles, and his finger continues it’s zig zag from one mark on her arm, onto the next.
It causes her to shiver again and Link grins, shifting his eyes to hers.
“Cold?” He sounds smug.
“No,” and she sounds pointed. “You know that tickles.”
He stops his movement, fingers coming to rest against her wrist. Her eyes slip shut again and Link watches her face.
Another of his favorite things about Sunday mornings, when they have nowhere to be, is that they get to experience the morning sun from bed. The way it shines through the translucent material of the curtains and gives the room a warm glow. It highlights their bare faces and makes everything feel revitalizing.
“You have freckles on your face, too.”
“Shh,” she mutters, frowning as she buries the side of her face deeper into her pillow. “I’m trying to go back to sleep.”
Link exhales on a smile, but nods to himself. He relaxes into his own pillow, too. In an attempt to incite a little more sleep.
Moments later, he feels cold feet press between his shins, attempting to bury their way into his warmth. His eyes jolt open. It’s a common occurrence, something Amelia’s made a habit of. But every time she does it, it still gives him that initial shock. He looks at her, and her eyes are still closed, like she’s on the brink of sleep again. And it makes Link want to laugh, her ability to always be touching him in some capacity, especially so absentmindedly. It makes him think about how far they’ve come.
It had started physically for them. Their entire relationship. It was based on physical touch. It had very recently grown into something more, but it had surely started that way.
‘Alternative pain relief,’ Amelia had called it.
Link lays in bed now, feeling her feet tangle with his, and he thinks all the way back to the beginning. How they even got here, to this particular Sunday morning.
It had been a false start. The first time they really spoke. An ill-advised proposal for a dinner date had unfortunately led to some animosity on her part.
“Are you asking me out?” she’d question his intentions incredulously.
“I heard you like Italian food…”
Her face fell. And Link recoiled.
A false start.
And then the next time they interacted, it was the same but different. An almost change of heart.
But horrible timing.
A mass overdose in the park had led to an overcrowded ER, and major stress on everyone involved.
He remembers the way her face had twisted at the news. One second, they’d been discussing escape hatches and trips to Barbados. And then the next, they’d been discussing the outcome of a teenage boy that Link couldn’t successfully revive.
But it wasn’t just any teenage boy.
“I knew him.” Amelia’s expression had haunted him in the moment, and it still haunts him now. “That kid...he was….”
He’d stepped forward.
“He was a good kid. He wasn’t a bad kid.” She shook her head, battling with the idea that the argument even had to be made.
And Link had nodded slowly.
“I’m gonna have to call his parents.”
“I could take care of that.” He’d offered. Desperate for anything to combat the distress that invaded her face and voice.
“No. No I’m-” She’d cut herself off, and Link felt panic rise in his chest. He barely knew her. But he’d felt strangely protective of her. He’d battled with the decision of how to help her.
“Thank you.”
She’d turned away from him, but Link had caught a glimpse of it. Her expression as she fought off a full-body sob.
“I’m so sorry.” And it had been evident in her voice too.
“It’s okay.” It’s all he could come up with, as he stepped around her, towards her. In a protective way. Like he’d been trying to cover her from the people that surrounded them in the hallway.
“I’m sorry.”
He’d felt so inclined to comfort her. To reach a hand up and rest it against her back as she keeled over on top of the cot in the hallway.
She’d let out a broken sob. And it’s still one of the most devastating sounds Link can ever recall hearing.
And he wholeheartedly regrets the way his hand had dropped to his side, and not gently against her back, like he’d intended.
Because he’d battled with it. Hesitated. Stuck on the predicament of how to comfort her.
He regrets it currently. As he lays in bed and watches her sleep. And he can’t help but reach forward and touch her now. Like he’s overcompensating for the way he’d reacted then. Because he was so close in the moment, to acting on his instinct. But it just wasn’t enough.
So he does it now. His fingers find their way back to her arm, in a similar pattern to before, and the action reminds him of New York. Again of the early stages.
It started as purely physical. Just sex. No sleepovers. And that’s the way Amelia had labeled it.
But, in a hotel room in New York, Link had done it almost absentmindedly.
He’d run his fingers up and down her arm in an intimate way. He’d never done it before, but it felt right. And he swore he saw a wave of emotions cross Amelia’s face at his actions. Like she’d actually quite liked the feeling. Or maybe she was scared to like the feeling. And so she’d climbed out of his bed, removed herself completely from that revelation.
Link chuckles to himself at the memory, as he re-creates that same motion against her arm. Because now they're in her bed. And it is intimate. Yet there’s no revelation on Amelia’s part, because the light touch is such habit by now.
“Why are you laughing?”
Link startles at the sound of her voice, once again surprised to learn that she’s awake.
“I’m just thinking about you.” He answers honestly.
She groans. Because she’s not a conversationalist in the morning. And especially not a romanticist.
“Well, you’re thinking really loud,” she huffs out a sigh, turning over in bed.
“I’m sorry,” he stifles a laugh, reaching forward to tap his finger against her shoulder blade. “I’ll be quiet now.”
When she turns back over to face him, she’s grinning.
“Can we just….stay in bed all day?” She whispers.
“Of course,” Link mirrors her grin. “I already thought that was the plan.”
She looks him up and down, in the same way she always does when she’s deciding her next move. Deciding how she’s going to eliminate the space between them.
Link knows the face, and in response he opens his arms to her. She bites down on a smile as she shifts forward, burying her face in his chest and sighing in content. He wraps his arms around her and gives a gentle squeeze as they settle into the position.
And they both quickly drift towards sleep again.
_______
When Link eventually blinks awake, he has no idea how much time has passed. He registers one thing, though, as his eyes adjust.
And that’s Amelia’s stare.
She faces him, eyes wide like she’s just been caught.
Link clears his throat.
“Are you the one watching me sleep, now?”
“Maybe.”
Link laughs a bit, under his breath. Still slowly waking up.
“Have I ever made you my waffle recipe?” Amelia sounds eager, her tone far more awake and alert than Link feels. He thinks he has some catching up to do.
“I don’t think you have.”
She rolls over, swinging her legs over the bed and setting her feet on the floor.
“Amelia?”
She stands, tossing a robe on as she moves towards the door.
“Stay here,” she says simply.
“Where are you going?”
She pauses, looking once more in his direction before leaving the room.
“Just stay here,” she grins hugely. “We’ll eat in bed.”
A warmth fills Link’s chest, one that matches the morning glow of the room. He rolls onto his back with a gratified exhale, as his thoughts from earlier echo into his mind.
He thinks he wants to live in Sunday mornings forever.
this is the third chapter of my amelink series. quite long but it’s filled with fluff and a hint of drama at the end. so i hope you enjoy!
—
/ amelia and her family visits LA.
—
Part III
•••••••••••••••
it’s a bright sunday morning. Link and Amelia woke up with the light touching their faces, rays coming in through the window blinds made it look like a spotlight. Amelia’s face looked more radiant than ever.
the stunning view put a huge smile on Link’s face, he slowly places his hand on her cheek and runs it down the side of her neck.
“good morning beautiful.” he says.
Amelia smiled back, closes her eyes and held his hand. “good morning. how’s your sleep?” she replied.
“it’s good, i dreamt about you actually.” Link responded.
She opened her eyes. “oh yeah? what’s the dream about? do i look good in it?” Amelia chuckled. she turns her body away from him and wrapped his arms around her.
Link embraced her from the back “of course you do babe.” he said, planting a kiss on her shoulder.
“well, for starters, we’re in LA. at the beach. you were lying on the sand and i was reading a book. you told me to put sunscreen on you and so i did. seconds later, we were making out. then i woke up.”
“i’d say that’s a perfect way to end a dream. you uh... wanna do it now that you’re awake?” Amelia replied. she rolled over and kissed him passionately like it’s the first time.
link pulled down the straps of Amelia’s night gown revealing her soft pale upper bust.
as they were about to take each other’s clothes off, the baby monitor started making noise, a sign that scout is already wide awake. the couple had no choice but to put the idea to rest.
“ahhh. of course.” Amelia rolled her eyes. “every single time. i’ll get him. gonna make us some breakfast too. talk of the town, Amelia Shepherd makes the best waffles.”
Link finds it cute when she speaks in third person. Amelia winked at him and gets out of bed.
“you do. i can eat it everyday.” Link watches as Amelia walks out of the room. he’s so in love with every inch of her that every move she makes is endearing to him.
Amelia approached the door and turned around. “i love you.” she says.
Link glared at her. “i love you too.”
“i’m a lucky girl.” Amelia sighed.
“not as lucky as i am.”
both of them made a pact that they wouldn’t spend a single day without both or one of them telling those three words to the other. as surgeons, they knew that life is too short, that if you have the opportunity to tell someone you love them, you do it. before it’s too late.
•••••••••••••••
“aaahh that smells so good. best waffles ever.” he said, placing his hand on her waist.
Amelia wears this cute white apron that says “i’m a neurosurgeon. okay?” every time she’s cooking. Alex gave it to her as a joke few years ago but she loves it. she says it’s very fitting. her sisters keep making fun of it, asking her if she’s not worried that people might be scared of what they’re gonna eat. but nothing they say can make her give that apron up.
she’s a very sentimental person. Alex became one of her people and keeping that gift is her way of remembering the good times they shared.
—
“hey little man, good morning. wanna go to the beach today?” Link squishes Scout’s cheeks and unfastens the buckle of his high chair straps. Link carried him and placed him on the kitchen counter where Amelia is preparing the plates for their breakfast.
“didn’t know we have beach plans today. did you just think about it this morning?” Amelia asked.
“yeah, can’t stop picturing it. you want to? we can go to Madison Park.” Link responded. “sounds great! i miss that place.” she said with enthusiasm.
“maybe we can make that dream of yours a reality.” Amelia teased him with a smirk.
“i would love that. but we need someone to watch scout.”
“i’ll call the babysitter, she can come with us.”
“great idea.”
•••••••••••••••
carrying Scout with one arm, Link knocks on the bathroom door.
“babe, i’m afraid we might have to cancel Madison Park today, Winston texted me, says it’s too crowded.” Link said with a little disappointment.
Amelia grabs the shower knob and turned it off.
“oh man, i was really looking forward to it.” she said.
“yeah i’m sorry, maybe next time.”
“yeah....” Amelia sighed. “wait-“
“what?” Link said, curious as to what she has in mind.
“i mean... we can visit LA. Charlotte’s been begging me for years. it would be nice to see their faces again.”
“now? but we have work tomorrow.”
“i have Dr. Harvey on-call tomorrow, he can take over my service for a little while, plus the new batch of residents are good so i’m not worried about that. what you think?”
“i can delegate some stuff too. move some of my surgeries under Dr. Randall. okay, you know what, let’s do it. let me make some calls.”
“me too. i’m gonna cancel the babysitting. we should start packing though.”
“i’ll handle mine and Scout’s. you can just pack your things.”
“thanks babe. don’t forget his beeboo. or we’re in so much trouble.” Scout is still on the stage of forming his words properly, he calls his precious brown furry teddy bear, beeboo. he got it as a present from his Uncle Owen during his first birthday. he can’t live without it since.
Amelia gets out of the shower, started fixing her hair and put on some makeup.
—
Amelia and Link sat on their seats. surprisingly, Scout is well-behaved for a kid who’s riding an airplane for the very first time.
“you alright turkey? we’re gonna fly. like Peter Pan. woosh!” Link gestured his hand in a flying motion.
“yaaaa!!” Scout exclaimed.
Amelia gave a sigh of bliss. looking at her beautiful little family.
“may we request everyone sit down. fasten your seatbelts, we are about to take off.” the flight attendant spoke over the microphone.
Amelia and Link held Scout’s hand making sure he feels safe the entire flight.
-
after an hour, Scout fell asleep peacefully. he rests his head on his mommy’s chest.
“gotta be honest, i’m a little scared.” Amelia said.
“what are you scared about?”
“i don’t know, the memories maybe. staying in LA is one of the best days of my life but also the worst. have i told you that they set up an intervention for me in that place? i was too high at that time, i was a mess. a big scary mess.”
“yeah you mentioned the intervention but not every little detail. and i’m not gonna force you to tell me everything if you’re not comfortable. that was all in your past. you’re a better person now.” Link kisses her forehead. he grabbed Amelia’s hand to reassure her. their fingers danced to the beat of their hearts.
“i’ll accept you and your flaws, whatever they may be. that makes you, you. and i love you.” he added.
“don’t know what i’ll do without you, really. my big calm mountain.” Amelia kissed his hand in return. “but i’m also very excited to see everyone. it’s been a long time.”
—
Amelia and her family arrived at Seaside Health and Wellness.
“does anyone know we’re coming?” Link asked.
“i texted Addie, she’s at the hospital for a surgery. she’ll be back at 5.”
“and Charlotte?” Link replied.
“she surprised me. i’m returning a favor.”
—
as they’re about to step foot in the building, they heard a loud bang. people are screaming.
a lady got out of the car, “we need help!! somebody call an ambulance!!” she yelled.
“well, guess you’re the one who got surprised.” Link remarked sarcastically.
they both rushed to the scene. “i’m gonna check on them. call 911.” Link handed Scout to Amelia so he can check the severity of the situation. the little baby started crying so Amelia stepped aside to attend to their son, “honey everything’s okay, but don’t look over there. i don’t want you to see that. mommy’s here, you’re gonna be fine. i got you.”
Amelia calls the line. “hello. i’m Doctor Shepherd. we need an ambulance in front of Seaside Health and Wellness, please. a car ran into a pole right around the corner, multiple injuries.”
“we’re on our way doctor.” the paramedic answered.
“Link, is he responsive? Link!” Amelia worries.
“sir.. sir don’t move. i’m Doctor Lincoln. follow my finger” he puts his index finger in the air and let the man follow his direction. he poked the guy’s arm a little bit, “can you feel that?” the man nods. he responded well.
“he’s responsive... atleast for now. his head is bleeding, i see some glass shards. and his arm is broken, we need to get him to the hospital, fast.” he said.
the paramedics got into the scene after few minutes.
“i have to go with them, Amelia.”
“no, yeah you should. i’ll go straight to the hospital, i just need to leave scout with Violet, i hope she’s there. i need to check on that bleed.”
—
“Amelia!! ohmygod!! hi how are you??” Violet yelled of excitement. she has not seen or heard from her for years.
“i’m good, but there was an accident right out front. my boyfriend Link went with the paramedics. he’s an orthopedic surgeon. and i have to check the guy’s possible hemorrhage. it’s quite bad.” Amelia said all these words in a matter of seconds, she’s clearly in a rush.
“oh and by the way, this is Scout, my son. can you watch him for a minute? please?”
“yeah yeah no, it’s fine. there’s a play pen in the lobby, he’s gonna love it. hi there little guy.” Violet accepted and carried Scout in her arms.
“thank you so much. i’ll catch up with you when i get back, i swear.”
“mommy will be back. okay babe? i love you.” Amelia kissed his cheek before rushing through the elevator.
“thank you Vi!” Amelia waved goodbye.
—
Amelia entered the emergency room and saw Link wearing a trauma gown.
“hey, how’s our patient?” Amelia asked.
“he’s stable. his speech is a little slurred though. i stabilized his arm but he needs surgery. just waiting for the scans.”
“Charlotte gave you privileges? where’s she?”
“the next room. i already told her you’re coming, you have yours now too.”
Amelia grabbed a trauma gown and started checking on her patient.
“we need to get him a head CT. and book an OR please. we don’t know how much shards are in there” Amelia ordered the nurse.
“MVC incoming!”
Amelia stopped for a brief moment before she realized who that person is.
it’s James.
“ohhh no.” Amelia gasped.
she didn’t imagine that the love of her life and James, the guy she almost married, will be in the same room together. ever. this was not in any of her plans. shit.
Amelia tried to run away but James already saw her.
“Amelia?”
she had no choice but to turn around. he saw her, it’s too late. she can’t run now.
“James. hi. umm.. there was an accident, we were visiting and there was... an accident. in front of our eyes. life’s funny that way.” Amelia bursted in fake laughter.
“haven’t seen you since...” James got interrupted when Link entered the room.
“hey babe, let’s go.” Link said, handing Amelia the charts.
“hi, i’m James Peterson. i run the ER. nice to meet you doctor....”
“Lincoln. ortho.”
“oh, well nice to meet you Dr. Lincoln, thank you for your help. appreciate it.”
“ofcourse. pleasure to meet you too Dr. Peterson.”
“Dr. Shepherd.” James nodded and smiled at her. he left the room right away.
—
“must be nice to see familiar faces huh.” Link rubbed Amelia’s shoulder.
“yeah. but.. i expected you to react differently. i’m surprised you weren’t fazed or something.”
“why would i be?”
“it’s James... the one i ran away from. we were engaged.”
A/N: Sorry for the delay- here’s part 3 of If the Sun Comes Up! (AU - interns fic). It’s been a while since i’ve updated this so if you need a refresher, previous parts here: part 1 // part 2
If you’ve sent me a prompt recently, or even a while back, I promise I am starting to get to them. I’m on a break from school so I’m trying to write as much as I can <3 Also, I’m starting to switch around the POV for this story (this one is Link’s), and it’s very :) difficult :) to do :)
_______
It comes apart
The way it does in bad films
Except in parts
When the moral kicks in
_______
Link knows a few things.
The first is that Amelia Shepherd makes him nervous.
That’s something he knows. The reason behind it though, is a little less clear to him. She’s unpredictable. And he thinks that that’s part of it. Part of the reason his pulse quickens when she walks into the room. Sometimes, he’ll bump into her in the apartment, and she’ll be all darting eyes and nervous hands wrapped around a mug of tea. But most of the time, it’s the opposite. It’s shameless, the way she’ll walk into a room and say something completely audacious. Unexpected. Is the way he wants to label it. And the anticipation of it, the anticipation of which Amelia he’s going to get, is what makes him the most nervous.
This morning there’s an edge to her smile. One that feels measured and purposeful. Link watches her as she enters the kitchen. He finishes pouring himself a cup of coffee and witnesses, just in time, for Amelia to survey Maggie and Winston as they innocently eat their breakfast at the counter.
The smirk that grows on her face causes Link to instinctively brace himself. Because it’s the same look she gives before she’s about to say something completely untamed. Untamed, yet at the same time, Link knows whatever she’s about to say, she’ll say it so unashamedly. But when the words finally drop from her mouth, Link still doesn’t feel prepared.
“I miss sex,” she announces, as her eyes dart amusedly between the couple at the counter. “And you guys are doing a great job of reminding me of that.”
Link has to stifle the coughing fit that threatens to overcome his body as he struggles through his first sip of coffee. And the startled look on Maggie’s face just adds fuel to the fire. Like Amelia somehow gains something from this type of reaction.
“What’s with the faces?” she adds, nonchalantly, as she reaches for a mug and turns back to Maggie and Winston. “I’m saying I feel inspired by you.”
“Okay…” Maggie gives a warning stare. “But we’re not-”
“No, I get it,” Amelia interrupts. Link shuffles out of her way as she reaches for the coffee pot, but he doesn’t miss the sideways glance she gives him. “You guys aren’t together together, you’re just…” She trails off as she focuses on not overflowing her mug with the hot liquid. Then she turns back around to face the pair at the counter. “Having fun?”
Winston shrugs at this, and Maggie refocuses all of her attention on the food in front of her.
“Like I said,” Amelia’s expression falters only slightly to incorporate some sympathy towards Maggie. “Inspiring.”
And with that she turns on her heels, ready to leave. Like she always does. After dropping a bomb of awkwardness amongst the group, she immediately fleas. And Link feels his heart rate slow at her absence.
His eyes shift to Maggie and Winston, eyebrows raised.
“She’s pleasant in the morning.”
There’s hums of agreement, and Maggie stands up, beginning to clear their dishes.
“We carpooling today?” Link inquires, as he starts to help Maggie clean the kitchen.
“Well, there’s that intern mixer tonight,” Maggie reminds him. “That thing Dr. Webber is hosting?”
“Right,” Link sighs.
“I was going to go straight there after my shift,” she adds. “So, we’d all have to sort of plan our timing with that.”
Link nods, stepping forward to set his empty coffee mug in the sink.
“Will you ask Amelia what she’s doing? If she’s planning on going?”
Link nods again at Maggie’s request, and begins moving slowly down the hallway towards Amelia’s room. It dawns on him that he’s never stepped foot in Amelia’s room, or even properly had a glance inside. So, it feels foreign to him that his fist is knocking against the wood of her door.
“Yeah?”
There’s music playing on the other side and Link clears his throat to compensate for that.
“Hey! Maggie wanted me to ask you-”
“I can’t really hear you, just come in!”
Link hesitates. And he doesn’t know why. But then he’s annoyed with himself for not knowing why, so he pushes forward. His hand wraps around the door knob and then it’s twisting and suddenly he’s standing in her bedroom.
“Hey.”
His head turns to follow the sound of her voice and his eyes settle on her, to where she sits cross-legged on the floor in front of a full-length mirror. She raises her eyebrows at him, through the reflection in the mirror. And when Link doesn’t speak right away, she reaches forward to turn off her music.
“Can I help you with something?” She sounds smug as she resumes her mascara application.
“Uh, yeah. Sorry. Maggie wanted me to ask what your plans are for the intern mixer tonight?”
“Shit. I totally forgot that was tonight,” she mutters, concentrating on what she’s doing in the mirror.
Link sighs, and he feels the inexplicable need to shove his hands in his pockets. He takes a moment to let his eyes wander around the room. He can’t help it. The new territory makes him curious.
The room is a mess, and that’s putting it lightly. It almost looks like she hasn’t unpacked all the way. There are clothes scattered on almost every surface, and nothing seems to be put away. He’d like to assume that it’s because she’s not moved all the way in yet, but the pictures hanging on the wall say otherwise.
It feels self-indulgent, as he lets his eyes scan the framed photos around the room. They mostly consist of what Link gathers to be college friends and travels. But, there’s also a significant presence of people that look extraordinarily similar to Amelia. Her siblings, he presumes. There are two photos in particular, that stand out to Link. One consists of a young girl, no older than 6 or 7. In the photo, she’s riding a bike, and there’s a dark-haired teenage boy gently pushing the bike forward from behind. Derek, Link imagines. And it makes him smile to imagine Amelia learning to ride a bike.
The second photo that catches Link’s eye is just a solo shot of a middle-aged man. He’s standing on the edge of a dock, holding up a fishing pole. The man in the photo has a striking resemblance to Amelia and Derek, and Link is inclined to conclude that it’s their father.
Link snaps back to reality when he hears Amelia clear her throat. His eyes meet hers in the reflection of the mirror and she’s sneering at him incredulously.
“Get a good look?”
“Sorry,” Link mumbles, shaking his head at himself. He struggles for a moment to arrive back to his reasoning for being here in the first place. “Uh, yeah. Party tonight, or….‘intern mixer,’ or whatever you want to call it….do you need a ride?”
“Ugh,” she groans, starting to stand up from her spot on the floor. “Derek requested Lexie and I on his service, again, so. If we’re not too late I’ll probably grab a ride with him.”
Link nods. He tries to suppress the sudden disappointment he feels. Because it makes no sense to him, that he should feel anything based upon whether or not Amelia would be in attendance.
“Okay,” he turns on his heels, deciding he doesn’t need anything more than that answer from her.
“Link?”
He turns around in the doorway, looking at her expectantly.
“Maybe I’ll see you tonight?”
“Yeah,” he agrees, but he forces an element of nonchalance to his response. She’s staring at him with an expression of bewilderment and it only makes him want to rush his exit more.
He rips his gaze away from hers as he steps into the hallway, and when he pulls the door shut, he feels relief.
_______
Links knows a few things.
The first is that Amelia Shepherd makes him nervous.
The second is that this party is lame.
“This sucks,” Jo huffs out a sigh, from where she’s standing next to him.
They’re stationed at one of those tall cocktail tables, in the middle of a decently packed banquet room. Link’s eyes scan the room, for what feels like the thousandth time that night.
“Who are you looking for?” Jo ridicules him. She smirks at him knowingly as she sips her drink and Link tries not to roll his eyes at her.
“I’m not looking for anyone….” He trails off, as his eyes roam the room again. Because although he dismisses the accusation of looking for anyone, he does find her.
She’s standing near the entryway with Derek. And they must have just arrived, because there’s a leather jacket still covering her frame.
He thinks for a moment that he should cross the room. Walk towards them and casually point out where the coat check area is, perhaps. But he doesn’t do that. Because the closer he looks, the more it becomes obvious that the two are arguing.
Amelia’s back is to him, but her body language, and the sharpness to Derek’s expression, are all the evidence he needs.
“You’re staring.” Jo’s voice breaks through his concentration, and Link glances sideways at her.
“Am not.”
“Are too,” she bites back. “And you’re boring me. I’m going to get another drink. Do you want one?”
Link shakes his head at the offer, his eyes returning to his current preoccupation. He barely notices Jo’s dramatic sigh, as she walks away. Barely notices, because now Amelia is crossing the room, her eyes narrowing in on his as she visibly tries to shake off her anger.
“You made it.” It’s all Link can come up with as she approaches the table.
Amelia huffs out an exasperated breath as she settles across from him at the table. She shrugs, her eyes dancing around the room as she takes in the atmosphere of the event.
“Of course I did,” she mutters. “I’m a blast at parties.”
Link frowns. Unsure of how to lighten the mood.
“There’s a coat check, you know?” He glances down at her, surveying the black form-fitting dress and leather jacket. He suddenly feels unimpressive in the dull grey of his suit jacket.
“Nah,” Amelia shakes her head, still preoccupied by the room around them. “I’m fine like this.”
Her eyes finally rest on his. And she breathes out again, but this time Link thinks it sounds more relieved.
“I really am a blast at parties,” she bites her lip, grinning slightly. “Or, I used to be.”
“I believe you,” Link offers a smile in return.
And suddenly there’s a sense of ease between them. One that Link wasn’t expecting.
There’s something about her, or rather about her demeanor, that makes him feel nostalgic. He takes in her energy and it makes him feel at home, but not necessarily in a yearning way. Because there’s an edge to it. Like the feeling he’s nostalgic for triggers an almost anxious familiarity in the pit of his stomach. Like home is broken.
“So, what is it?”
He hasn’t even realized he’s voiced the question out loud. It’s when her defensive tone kicks in, that he realizes what he’s done.
“What?”
Link groans internally. Because he hadn’t necessarily intended to speak on behalf of his revelation.
“You….remind me of….me, Amelia,” he mutters the confession, shaking his head at himself as he tries to make sense of the direction his thoughts are taking. “Like a sixth sense almost….”
She quirks an eyebrow at him, but doesn’t offer any words. The silence urges Link to continue.
“Okay, no. I mean, you don’t remind me of me, totally. I just mean….”
“We are very different people,” she interrupts him. And it causes Link to look up from the pattern of the tablecloth he’d forced himself to analyze while he stumbled through his words. But he locks eyes with her, and there’s a smug smile on her face. It basically grants him permission to move forward.
“Yeah,” he chuckles in agreement. “But there’s some common ground here. I can feel it.”
Link tries to match her smirk, but he knows he’s not doing it any justice.
“So, what is it?” He repeats his question from earlier, his tone playful. “That makes you this way?”
There’s a fraction of a second where her face falls, in reaction to the additional question. It’s so subtle Link thinks he’s imagined it. Because he’s looking at her now, and the smirk is still there. So he continues.
“Doesn’t seem like you get along with your family,” he nods towards Derek across the room, to where he’s now stood chatting with Mark Sloan. “And from my experience, that kind of thing usually happens for a reason.”
Amelia shrugs dismissively, and reaches forward for a handful of pretzels from the array of snacks on the table.
Link watches her, notes her form of deflection, and he takes it upon himself to start lighthearted. Because that’s where they are right now. That’s the stage they always seem to be stuck in. “You….what? Scratched your brother's car up? Forgot to feed the family’s pet fish? And everyone still holds it against you? What is it, huh?”
Amelia stifles a laugh around a mouthful of pretzels, and it urges Link on.
“I’m getting closer, aren’t I? Should I dive deeper?”
Link tries not to laugh at her, as she struggles to chew the pretzels in her mouth. He lets himself be relentless, continuing with the interrogation.
“Okay, so….some sort of chronic diagnosis tear your family apart?” Link glances across the room as he speaks, and his eyes settle on Derek. There’s a snide expression on Derek’s face as he talks to Mark, and all Link sees is Amelia in it. His eyes dart back to hers as potential realization hits. “Children of divorce?”
Amelia immediately stops chewing her pretzels. And this time around it’s not as subtle when her face falls.
“Children of divorce! I knew it! I told you I could sense that kind of thing.”
Link is proud of himself for a moment. Until he watches her harshly swallow. It’s the kind of action that makes him instantly retreat. Instantly regret his exclamation.
Amelia finally finds her voice. And when she does, it’s laced with irony. “I wish it had been a divorce.”
And now it was Link’s turn for the silence. For the lack of response that would hopefully urge her to continue.
“Your parents are divorced?” There’s something cunning about her tone, and Link can’t quite place why it’s there. It surely doesn’t sound like a question, when she asks it. It sounds like she already knows the answer, and she’s choosing to be sly as she witholds whatever she’s about to throw his way next.
But Link nods at her anyway, disregarding the non-question.
“Wanna trade childhood traumas?” She eventually mutters, a slight smile on her lips as she looks down at the bowl of pretzels. Link can see it in her face, the way she’s determining whether to abandon the conversation and reach for another handful. But she doesn’t do that.
He continues to stare at her, in a desperate attempt to decipher which version of Amelia this is.
“My Dad died when I was five,” her gaze shifts from the pretzels to his face and Link’s heart drops to his stomach. “So, he kind of missed out on the divorce stage....” She laughs under her breath, almost in disbelief. “Not that there would have been one,” she adds the after-thought.
“Amelia,” he murmurs. And he thinks he steps forward, but there’s a table in front of him, blocking him, so there’s really no point. “I’m so sorry, I-”
It’s her laughter that cuts him off mid-apology. Link doesn’t know if he can categorize it as authentic laughter. The bizarre reaction would probably be more accurately described as harsh exhales and another out of place smile.
“Amelia.”
She swallows her laughter a bit at the seriousness of his tone.
“God, I feel like an asshole,” he mutters.
“Okay, but don’t,” Amelia shrugs. “Believe me I’ve had years to process it.”
Link feels his eyes narrow at this.
“And honestly I’m pretty impressed you could sense the childhood trauma in the first place,” she adds. “Maybe we’re more alike than I thought….” She trails off, and there’s a softness to her next words. “And I don’t at all mean to downplay yours….I just….have a dark sense of humor. Sometimes I forget that it can put people off.”
“No, I get it.”
Link watches as a subtle grin take over her expression, and he sighs in relief. But he can’t help but to notice how distracted she is. How her eyes keep shifting around the room.
“This party is kinda lame, huh?” Link muses. “I was going to head home soon. Want a ride?”
For a moment her wandering eyes stop, and Link thinks her smile looks polite. It doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Yeah,” she murmurs, distracted again. “I feel like I should make the rounds first though, right? Say hello to a few people?”
Link nods. Because this makes sense.
“Give me like 20 minutes, okay? And then we can leave?”
“Okay,” Link agrees, but she’s already walking away by the time he says it.
_______
Link knows a few things.
But there’s one fact at the forefront of his mind.
This party is lame and he wants to leave. He’s promised a ride home to Amelia, but it’s been over an hour and since then, he’s completely lost track of her.
He gives up. Assumes she’s gotten a ride home with either Derek or Lexie.
He makes his way to the parking lot and he hears her voice first. It’s low and it’s gravelly and it’s certainly Amelia.
But it’s perplexing, because the first person he sees is Mark, and not Amelia.
But then Mark steps to the side, and there she is.
He watches, and he hasn't realized that his feet have stopped moving. But his eyes are glued the same way his shoes apparently are to the pavement below.
She’s smiling at Mark, but the look she’s giving him makes Link feel gross. Because it’s almost performative, the way she gets into his car. And suddenly there's another thing that Link knows.
That being, that for some reason, this hurts.
_______
It’s more accurate to say that Link has learned a few things. Especially since moving in with 3 strangers.
He’s learned the separate soundtracks of each of his roommate’s arrivals home.
He can tell when Maggie is home, because she usually mutters to herself as she walks about, hanging her purse and coat up.
He can tell when Lexie is home, because the first thing she does is walk to the kitchen. Link will hear the distinct sound of the fridge door opening just after someone comes home, and immediately he knows that it’s Lexie.
He can tell when Amelia is home, because of the clacking sound her boots make across the tiled floor of the entryway. He doesn’t know why she always seems to be wearing the heeled boots, but he finds comfort in the association.
Another thing he’s learned is that he’s usually the first to wake up in the apartment. Especially on Saturdays.
He likes waking up early on the weekends, but this morning feels a little different. Definitely due to the lack of sleep the night prior. He wants to blame the restless night on anything else, besides the fact that he’s yet to hear a pair of heeled boots cross the tiled floor.
Link seeks distractions on this Saturday morning. He thinks he’ll make breakfast. But, the relative emptiness of the fridge causes a change of plans.
And so he distracts himself by going to the store.
_______
When Link returns home, he’s not expecting to see Amelia right away.
He walks towards their front door, arms full of grocery bags, and there she is. Leaning against the wall outside and watching him carefully as he approaches.
She’s wearing the same dress she wore last night, her leather jacket slung over her arm.
“Well, good morning,” he tries to mask the sharpness in his tone.
She looks at him tiredly.
It’s then that he decides to give her the benefit of the doubt. He’d had a feeling in the pit of his stomach all night. He’d lost sleep over it. But he looks at her now, and everything he’s been feeling is replaced with one thing: concern.
So he re-routes his attitude.
“You waiting out here just so you could hold the door open for me?” He jokes, gesturing towards the bags in his arms.
“I lost my keys,” she admits.
Link notices the way she can’t seem to hold eye contact, and he decides to drop the joking manner.
“Ah,” he hums. “Here.”
He unceremoniously shoves a grocery bag into her arms, so that he can free up a hand to reach for his own keys.
He unlocks the door and Amelia basically darts past him, setting the bag on the counter and heading towards her room.
Link tries not to feed into his concern, and he busies himself by putting groceries away.
But, a moment later, he hears the familiar sound of her heels against the floor. The sound amplifies until she rounds the corner into the kitchen again, and Link looks up just in time.
She looks at him sheepishly.
“I, uh. I have so much stuff all over my bed….you don’t mind if I take the couch for a bit, do you?”
It takes Link a moment to process this information. He glances past the kitchen counter, to the living room area. It’s all pretty much one big room, an open floor plan.
“Be my guest,” he murmurs. “I was about to make breakfast though, so, hopefully I don’t bother you too much over here?”
Amelia shakes her head, as if to say she won’t be bothered, and she continues over to the living area.
“You should really….unpack all your stuff. Put things away,” Link jokes, recalling just how messy her room was as of yesterday morning.
“‘M too tired right now,” she slurs, as she collapses against the couch on the opposite wall.
Link attempts to carry on making breakfast. But he’s admittedly distracted by her presence.
She doesn’t look comfortable. She’s still wearing her dress from last night. And she’s sitting upright, her head tilted back against the cushions.
“I could help you, you know?” Link offers. “Put away your things and clear off your bed?”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Amelia, it’s 9am.”
This makes her laugh.
Her eyes are still closed but she’s laughing under her breath.
“Oh!” Suddenly Link remembers. “I saw this loose tea variety at the store and it made me think of you and I bought it.”
Even with the length of the room, Link can tell she’s slightly opened her eyes, peering at him.
“How about I attempt to make some? And we do some unpacking?”
There’s brief silence. But then her head is lifting from the cushions.
“Okay, but make your breakfast first.”
Link breaks out into a toothy grin, nodding at her suggestion. He watches curiously as her head drops back against the couch.
_______
It’s about 20 minutes later when he’s eaten and decides he’s happy with his attempt at tea. He walks over to the couch, proudly balancing two mugs, but it’s obvious that Amelia is drifting off to sleep.
He places a mug on the coffee table in front of her and the sound of it causes her to stir.
“Oh,” she sits up. “This looks….decent. Thank you.”
Link sits on the armchair across from her and watches as she takes her first sip.
“You’re allowed to say if it’s shit.”
Amelia exhales a laugh before setting the mug back down.
“It’s not bad, honestly. I’ll have to teach you my ways, though.”
She rests back against the cushions, and this time she shifts her body so that she’s more comfortably laying across the entire couch.
Link sighs.
And it’s like she hears what he’s thinking.
“Just a few minutes, then we’ll start unpacking,” but her voice is laced with sleep. She turns to him, her mouth twisting up in a familiar movement, and her eyebrows raising almost provocatively. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Ugh,” Link groans. “I do not need to hear about you and Mark-”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she laughs a breath. “I had to.”
Link just shakes his head at her, not sure when he went from worried about her, to amused.
“I promise,” she adds, and the element of exhaustion is back in her tone. “Just 10 more minutes then I’ll be good to go.”
“Sure,” Link laughs.
Amelia still holds his gaze, and there’s an expression on her face that feels brand new to him.
There’s a hint of a smile. It’s barely there. But it’s different this time. It’s not the smirk he’s used to seeing, and it’s not in any way laced with mockery or self-doubt.
Link knows a few things.
But he learns a final thing by the end of the conversation. He learns that he’s going to do everything he can, to see the version of her smile that’s the most genuine.
A/N: I’ve been getting messages about this one and wanted to write a (fluffier than the previous part) sequel. And I think I might have actually managed some fluff without accidentally making it too dark and twisty?? But anyway, this is based on this prompt requesting Maggmelia be thrown in a bit. And it’s also partly inspired by this post by @amelia-ladychief-shepherd.
You can read part 1 here.
_______
legions upon legions of craftsmen
handmade my feelings
_______
It takes about a week for Scout’s true sleeping pattern to reveal itself. Amelia thinks back to the first night home, probably the last night she actually got a full night of sleep, and her whole being aches for the way Scout had slept soundly. Uninterrupted. He’d barely stirred. Amelia thinks back to that first night, and can’t hold back the delirious laughter that escapes her mouth. Her eyes glaze over as she rests her head back against the headboard of their bed. And she listens to the slight creak of the floorboards from the hallway, where Link currently walks back and forth, rocking their newborn gently in his arms.
Link crosses the threshold back into the bedroom, and Amelia raises her eyebrows at him in question.
Was this it?
Had he finally fallen back to sleep?
The relieved look on Link’s face is all the answer she needs. And there’s momentary bliss.
Until Link’s expression dwindles, his eyes widen in panic as he trips over a sneaker on the floor. He staggers forward slightly, but catches himself, straightening up right away. Amelia gasps, and holds eye contact with Link, until Link’s gaze shifts downwards to Scout in his arms. To survey the potential harsh awakening. The aftermath of the almost disruption.
But relief floods his face once again. And Amelia exhales, keeping her eyes on Link as he crosses the room towards the bassinet and carefully puts Scout back down.
He collapses onto his side of the bed a moment later, and turns over to face Amelia. He has to strain his neck to look up at her, as she’s still sitting upright.
“Why didn’t you sleep during my shift?”
My shift.
Amelia chuckles under her breath. They’ve really been taking shifts each time Scout wakes up. It’s their new routine. Because Scout requires constant movement in order to fall asleep. Continuous bouncing. And rocking. And especially walking.
“I couldn’t,” she mumbles. “Too much movement going on in the hall.”
Link pouts apologetically at this information.
“I don’t know what happened to me,” she continues in a whispered tone, shifting down to get fully under the covers again. “I used to be such a heavy sleeper. But now? Even the slightest creak of the floorboards and I’m on high alert.”
“Hm,” Link grumbles. And Amelia watches how quickly his eyes slip shut. She listens to how quickly sleep takes over his voice, too. “We should….sleep now….before….”
She thinks she witnesses the exact moment he falls asleep. And she tries not to feel jealous of his ability to slip into unconsciousness so easily.
She snuggles closer to him. Because she needs to. And she tries to brush off the idea that along with the slight change in Scout’s sleeping habits, her own hormones were changing, too. Her previous impatience, and even resentment towards Link, had slowly been shifting throughout the week. And suddenly, all she was craving was human touch. The same way Scout craved constant movement.
And Link puts up with it all, even in sleep. He subconsciously adjusts himself as he senses Amelia’s closeness, allowing her to nuzzle into his chest. And Amelia smiles to herself, finally willing sleep to take her.
It takes all of five minutes for it to start. For the tiny whimpers to fill the room. The soft whines from Scout that will undoubtedly turn into full blown wailing if someone doesn’t get to him fast enough.
Amelia’s eyes shoot open, and she regrettably pulls herself from Link’s warmth. Link barely stirs. And Amelia gets up to cross the room. “My turn,” she mutters.
_______
The following day, Amelia practically jolts awake. It almost feels like all she’s managed is a blink, and suddenly it’s morning again. It’s disorienting, and at the same time it’s frustrating. The complete lack of sleep.
What’s more confusing to her though, besides the rapid shift from night to day, is the fact that she’s woken up in an empty room. She quickly sits up in bed, eyes shifting around the room as she takes in the vacant spot next to her. When she swings her feet over the bed and stands up, she observes that Scout’s bassinet is equally empty.
She frowns to herself as she pulls a sweatshirt on, and slides her bare feet into her slippers. Scout’s basically been her alarm clock all week. She hasn’t woken up on her own accord in days. Scout’s cries in the early morning have completely grown to serve that purpose. Amelia realizes that that’s what’s most disorienting about this particular morning. The fact that she’s woken up naturally.
When she exits the bedroom and enters out into the hallway, her confusion grows. She hears voices from the first floor and she follows the sound. She stifles a huge yawn as she reaches the bottom of the stairs and rounds the corner into the living room.
“Well, good morning,” Link enters the living room from the opposite entrance, the one attached to the kitchen, at the same time that she enters from the hallway. He sets a steaming mug down onto the coffee table and looks at Amelia expectantly.
“Where’s Scout?!” She questions, an alarmed edge to her voice.
And then she hears Maggie’s laugh from the kitchen, along with another voice, and comprehension begins to dawn on her.
Amelia continues towards the kitchen, and when she reaches the doorway, she pauses, a huge smile taking over her expression. Winston stands at the stove, doing his best to flip the pancakes in the skillet. Maggie stands slightly off to the side, rocking Scout back and forth in her arms. She’s laughing at the same time as she’s chastising Winston for his lack of skill in the pancake-flipping department.
She leans against the doorframe and watches the interaction in amusement, until Maggie finally notices her presence.
“Oh, hey!” Maggie exclaims in a hushed tone, conscious of the newborn in her arms. She steps towards Amelia, and Amelia crosses the threshold to meet her.
“I didn’t know you were up,” she continues, as Amelia walks forward and smiles down at Scout’s wide-eyed and curious expression. Maggie begins shifting Scout a bit in her arms. “Here, you probably….did you want to take him?”
Amelia’s overcome with another huge yawn and Maggie quirks and eyebrow at her, subconsciously pulling Scout closer into her own chest.
“You were supposed to sleep in this morning, Amelia,” she turns around to glance at the clock on the stove. “Link practically had to sneak down here to make sure of that.”
“It’s okay,” Amelia shakes her head. “I can take him.”
She steps forward at the same time that Maggie steps back.
“Wait,” Maggie chuckles. “We’re making breakfast. Let me hold onto him while you at least eat. And maybe have some coffee?”
Amelia squints, thinking about it, but eventually nods gratefully at the offer. Link enters the kitchen then, placing his hands gently on Amelia’s shoulders.
“I’ll make you a plate,” he squeezes her shoulders, just before he moves past her.
Amelia’s hands drop to her sides, and she’s dumbfounded for a moment. Taken aback by this level of support. She bites her lip, empty handed. And her eyes shift around the kitchen. Winston stacks pancakes onto each of the plates in Link’s hands. And Maggie bounces gently back and forth next to her, rubbing a finger against Scout’s pudgy cheek.
She smiles as she takes it in. The entirety of the moment. And she decides to go ahead and make herself some coffee.
_______
“How are your pancakes?” Link turns to her, to where she’s resting against the opposite end of the couch. He reaches forward to set his empty plate onto the coffee table. When he settles back against the couch cushions, his hands come to rest against her shins, giving them a squeeze. He starts to massage his way down to her feet as they rest in his lap.
“Good,” she mutters around a mouthful, and Link smiles at her, before focusing solely on his massage technique.
Amelia groans, shifting her back further down the couch and setting her own plate down onto the table next to them.
“You should finish your food,” Link remarks, continuing with the foot rub.
“If you keep doing that, I’m going to fall asleep,” she mutters in response, dismissing his comment about the food. She completely relaxes into the cushions and into the massage.
“Well then, I’m not stopping.”
She stares up at him, a blank expression on her face.
“You were supposed to sleep in, anyway.”
Amelia shifts her eyes to the kitchen, and she watches for a moment, the way that Maggie and Winston move around the room. Scout is still wide awake. She can tell by the way Maggie bounces around with him, talking to him in a gentle voice. Winston finishes drying the dishes, and he turns to Maggie, gazing at her. While Amelia gazes at them. And then it almost becomes too much for Amelia. The adoring look that passes over Winston’s face, and the way that Maggie is completely oblivious to it.
“Amelia,” Link mutters her name and she quickly snaps out of her stare. She can feel the sudden glassiness in her eyes as she looks back to Link. “Amelia….are you….crying?”
“No,” she mutters defensively. “I don’t know.”
Link stifles a laugh. And Amelia has to refrain from lifting her heel from his lap and kicking it back down harshly against his thigh. She suppresses the urge though, and tries to make sense of her feelings.
“I think you definitely need some uninterrupted sleep,” Link chuckles under his breath.
Amelia rolls her eyes. But nods in agreement. Link halts his hands, letting them come to a rest at her ankles, and Amelia stares tiredly at him. Before she decides. Before she gives in.
Then she’s moving. She’s shifting her body around so that her head rests in his lap instead. She curls up on her side, which allows for her line of sight to still be to the kitchen. Amelia breathes an exhale through her nose as a smile creeps onto her face. She observes as Maggie instructs Winston to sit on one of the kitchen chairs, and Winston opens his arms hesitantly. Maggie transfers Scout over into his arms gracefully, and then she stands up straight. She places a hand on his shoulder, as if she’s trying to get him to relax into the position a bit.
“They’re cute together,” Link mumbles. Amelia can feel his fingers start to run through her hair and she sighs.
“Mhm.”
She lets her eyes rest momentarily. And she focuses on the pattern of Link’s fingers as he gently untangles some of the knots in her hair.
She’s so relaxed, she can’t tell how much time has passed when she feels Link’s phone buzz in his pocket. The proximity of the sudden vibration to her eardrum almost threatens her blissful moment. Almost.
She manages to keep her eyes closed despite Link’s movement. He shifts slightly to reach into his pocket for his phone, and Amelia grasps desperately to hold onto her restful state.
But then the feeling of his fingers in her hair stops. And that’s her first inclination.
She blinks her eyes open and stares ahead. Because she knows what’s coming. They’ve been talking around it all week. Avoiding it.
Link sighs.
And she knows.
“You still have to go, don’t you?”
It probably wasn’t worth it. All of the talking around it. And avoiding. Because it’s no longer avoidable. The fact that Link is scheduled to go out of town for the weekend. The surgery he’s supposed to travel to San Diego for, it’s been planned for weeks. And Scout was born a little bit early. Which wasn’t a part of the plan. But they’ve been avoiding the discussion. The reality of the situation. Because every time she thinks about it, she panics. And she gets all spinny-outy, at the thought of being on her own with Scout for the first time.
But avoidance is never a good coping mechanism for Amelia. So, they’ve been trying new tactics. New ways to deal with the hard stuff. Most of the time, it’s letting Amelia talk everything out until she accepts what she’s feeling. And most of the time, it also ends in a ‘gravity blanket’ situation, or some other form of physical closeness.
In this particular instance though, they’ve not gotten so far. They’ve yet to reach the healthy discussion part.
“I, uh….it looks like I managed to make it a one-night thing, instead of the whole weekend,” Link finally answers her.
It takes a minute for Amelia to process this.
She can feel him start to play with her hair again, this time just flimsily toying with her ends. She shifts, her hair falling from his grasp, and she rolls over so that she’s laying on her back. She looks up at him.
“You’re better at getting him to sleep than I am.”
“That’s not true, Amelia.” His face falls completely at the tone of her voice.
“It is. You’re….you’re very good at encouraging sleep.” She smiles a bit at this. “I swear, you have a very comforting presence. Puts people right to sleep....” She tries to sound sarcastic at her own words, but she’s not even fooling herself.
“It’s just one night,” he whispers. And she nods. And then they’re both interrupted by the sound of their son’s cries.
Amelia immediately sits up, springing into action.
“That’s his hungry cry,” she mutters, using a hand on Link’s knee to push herself up from the couch.
She meets Maggie halfway to the kitchen and Maggie passes off the crying newborn.
She then turns towards the stairs, glancing briefly in Link’s direction. “I’m going to go feed him upstairs. He’ll probably go right down after.”
_______
By the time the weekend comes, they both start to get less stressed about the trip. Partly because when necessary, they talk openly about their anxieties. But in all honesty, it’s mostly because of their gravity blanket routine.
Every night, after they get Scout to sleep, like clockwork. They settle themselves on the floor. And to much of Amelia’s delight, since her pregnancy is no longer an obstacle, she’s now able to be on the receiving end of this scenario.
The night before Link leaves, it’s a quieter routine. It’s safe, but it’s hushed. Conversation is slight. Which is fine. There’s not much left to talk about, since it’s already been talked all the way through.
“We should….”
“Sleep now while we can?” She finishes his sentence.
“Mhm,” he hums.
“5 more minutes?”
“Okay,” he agrees.
And then 5 minutes turns into 10. Eventually they go to bed, and eventually it’s morning again. By the time Link leaves the house, Amelia feels prepared, for the most part.
_______
Multitasking is one of her strong suits. It has to be. For her career and life in general. Multitasking is something she’s always strived at. She’s a fast thinker. And she often feels dragged down by those who need a minute to catch up.
So it makes no sense to her. That the level of multitasking thrown at her by motherhood, feels any different. Feels any less possible.
She’s climbing the stairs. And shifting Scout’s weight onto one side of her body. And cursing under her breath at the distinct ringtone of a FaceTime call that chimes from her back pocket.
She reaches for her phone at the same time that she crosses the doorway into the bedroom. And she sounds breathless as she greets the incoming video call.
“Hey!” Link’s cheerful disposition immediately softens when he sees Amelia’s impatient one. “Bad timing?”
“No, no, I, uh,” she props her phone up against the stack of books on her bedside table and sits on the edge of the bed, adjusting Scout in her arms so that she can gently rub his back. “He just usually sleeps right away when he’s fed. Like, sometimes even during, so-”
“He’s wide awake?”
“Yeah,” she sighs, and then tries to make her next words sound more lively. “How’s San Diego? How’d the surgery go?”
“Good, good. I’m hopping on my flight in like….2 hours, so. I’ll see you guys first thing in the morning.”
“I’m sorry,” Amelia mutters. “Red-eyes are the worst. I hope you at least sleep on the plane-”
Scout starts whimpering in her arms.
And Link assures her.
“Oh, I’ll be fine, I can sleep anywhere.”
Amelia starts to stand up, stepping slightly out of frame for the FaceTime call. Scout’s cries start to get louder, and Amelia starts to pace.
It’s like she instantly forgets about the call, as she makes her way towards the hallway. Exposing the fact that multitasking doesn’t transfer over to all areas of her life.
And Link chuckles to himself. But Amelia can’t hear it over the sound of Scout’s cries, or from where she currently walks the length of the hallway.
“Amelia, I’m going to call you back,” he tries, but he’s speaking to an empty room. He stifles another chuckle as he adjusts his own phone, hanging up the call.
_______
“Amelia,” Maggie’s whisper rings through the hallway and Amelia jumps despite the hushed tone. “Sorry. Is everything okay?”
Amelia nods, but struggles with the fussy baby in her arms. “I thought you were at the hospital?”
“I finished early. Link texted me.”
“Link texted you?”
The defensive edge to Amelia’s voice causes Maggie to choose her next words carefully.
“He said….you guys do this in shifts?” Maggie nods towards a whimpering Scout.
And Amelia huffs out a breath as she turns on her heels, keeping with her pattern through the hallway.
“Well,” Maggie adds. “I’m here to help, if you want it.”
“I’m really okay, Maggie. I just….have to keep moving.”
Maggie watches her turn again in her route.
“Do you want tea or anything? I was going to make some for myself.”
Amelia ignores Maggie’s offer, suddenly preoccupied with the volume of Scout’s distress.
“I’m going to make some,” Maggie breathes, turning back towards the stairs.
_______
When Maggie climbs the stairs again about 10 minutes later, Amelia gives her a warning stare. There’s a genuine quietness to the hallway. Scout doesn’t make a sound. And Amelia is now more stationary in her movements.
Maggie has a mug of steaming tea in each hand, and she raises both mugs slightly, as if gesturing that she’s going to go and set them down in the room.
Amelia follows after her a few moments later, when she decides it’s safe to do so. Safe to assume that Scout is finally out for the night.
When she enters the bedroom, a bewildered look crosses her face, and she has to hold herself back from voicing the loud questions that pop into the forefront of her mind. Her brows furrow as she takes in Maggie’s current positioning. Where she’s on her hands and knees on the floor, rummaging underneath the bed.
Amelia holds it together for the time that it takes to put Scout down. But then she turns around, and her tone is laced with confusion when she whispers into the room.
“What are you doing?”
Maggie straightens up instantly, startled by Amelia’s presence. She racks her brain for a minute, for an explanation, before she finally settles on just the truth.
“I, um,” Maggie swallows. And Amelia crosses the room to her bedside table. She reaches for the tea that Maggie had placed there, and offers an incredulous stare as she takes her first sip. “Link texted me.”
“I know.”
“No, yeah. So,” She pulls a package out from under the bed. “He asked me to make sure you had this.”
It’s just an unmarked box. Nothing special. And Amelia’s confusion grows.
“He was saving it for your birthday, I think? But then, I guess, he thought you should have it now.”
Amelia watches as Maggie stands, pulling the actual item out of the nondescript box. And then the actual packaging reveals itself. And Amelia can’t help the grin that spreads across her face, or the warmth that fills her chest.
It’s a weighted blanket.
She breathes out a sigh, and feels a stinging sensation in her eyes.
“It’s a weighted blanket?” Maggie adds, trying to gauge Amelia’s reaction.
“I can see that,” Amelia steps forward, taking the blanket from Maggie. She rips off the packaging and begins to unfold it. She lifts it around herself, and smiles hugely as she takes in the full weight of it.
“Are you…” Maggie trails off as Amelia circles past her, climbing into the bed. “Oh.”
Maggie chuckles under her breath, bemused, as Amelia relaxes into a comfortable position, adjusting the blanket to cover her completely.
“Do you want me to sit in here? While I finish my tea?” Maggie asks, as she steps around to the other side of the bed.
“Mhm,” comes Amelia’s muffled reply.
Maggie crawls on top of the covers, seating herself against the headboard.
“I don’t get it,” Maggie laughs quietly, as she observes Amelia’s current positioning. “A weighted blanket? Does it not feel suffocating?”
“Hmph, no,” Amelia turns over a bit, her face peeking out more than before. “It’s comforting.”
“You and I are not the same.”
Amelia smiles at this. Completely relieved. Relieved at Scout’s cooperation right now. And relieved with the feeling that the blanket provides. She lets her eyes rest, and keeps them closed as Maggie voices her next question.
“How long til Scout wakes up again?”
“I give it an hour at most,” Amelia groans.
“Let me take a shift, Amelia.”
Amelia shakes her head, eyes still shut. “I need the practice….Link is like….he’s like this calm giant. Scout falls asleep so fast for him. Takes twice as long for me. It’s kind of infuriating.”
Maggie frowns at this.
“I’m sure that’s not-”
“No it is,” Amelia mumbles, sleep evident in her voice. “And that’s okay. He’s asleep now….that’s all that matters….”
Maggie takes her last sip of tea, and decides it’s time to slip out of the room, as discreetly as possible.
But, Amelia listens for every movement. She feels the bed shift with Maggie’s absence, and she hears her cross the room, to her side of the bed. The distinct sound of ceramic against wood fills her ears as Maggie collects her abandoned tea.
She hears the door click shut as Maggie exits the room and her eyes blink open. She turns over in bed, reaching for her phone on the bedside table to check the time. Link still has about an hour until he boards his flight.
She fights off the exhaustion that threatens every part of her being, as she unlocks her phone and opens up FaceTime. And she quickly adjusts the volume to the quietest setting, in time for the outgoing tone to ring out.
“Amelia?” Link's voice whispers out, full of uncertainty. “I can’t see anything, it’s dark.”
“That’s because I’m under my new blanket,” she whispers back. “And also it’s dark in here,” there’s a smile evident in her voice. Link can hear some shuffling around, and then the lamp gets turned on and some light filters through.
“There you are,” he smiles.
“Are you at the airport?”
“Just got here.”
Amelia nods, blinking against her exhaustion.
“Scout’s down?”
“Mhm,” Amelia mumbles. “I just wanted to call you back….and say thank you….for this….”
Her sentence trails off, but the sentiment is there. And Link’s smile widens.
Amelia’s blinks start to last longer, and her eyes remain shut with the last one.
“Amelia?”
He knows she’s fallen asleep. He would recognize the breathing pattern anywhere.
But, he has a hard time hanging up the phone this time around.
It takes all of his power to refrain from just staying on the call and watching her sleep. His thumb hovers over the end button hesitantly. But then his flight number gets called over the speaker system.
His thumb hesitates a moment longer. Wanting to prolong the moment, but also battling the realization that this flight is what stands between them now.
He stares for one more second, and decides it’s okay to whisper out, even if she can’t hear him. It feels like he whispers it to himself, or maybe to the people surrounding him in the airport. But he says it anyway, before he hangs up.
