#amen ff

[omeliashipper]

The solution to our problem Part 3

Special thanks to @cizavilation as always for supporting and for being an awesome beta reader. Her advice make my story even better.

Part one: https://omeliashipper.tumblr.com/post/153186227891/the-solution-to-our-problem-part-1

Part two: https://omeliashipper.tumblr.com/post/161472376741/the-solution-to-our-problem-part-2

Secret Santa(same universe): https://omeliashipper.tumblr.com/post/154106278856/double-date

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On this particular Wednesday, Owen was having a slow day in the ER and was wishing he had thought of asking for the day off since Amelia wasn’t working, when he felt his phone vibrate. He pulled out his phone to find a text from his wife “911 Dana called”

It had been a few months and they hadn’t received news of a child for them. They spoke to Dana a couple of times and she informed them that it took time to get matched to a child and that she would call as soon as she got news.

Owen needed to know and didn’t want to wait the 5 hours he still had left on his shift. He spied April placing a tablet in the charging station and walked towards her. “Hey Owen! Is something wrong? You look worried” She told her friend when he reached her “I don’t know. Amelia just texted me that the social worker wants to talk to us. Do you think you can handle the ER without me?” Owen asked. April exclaimed “Oh my God! Of course! You need to go! I hope it’s good news for you two!” as she gave him a quick hug and pushed him toward the door.

Owen called Amelia from his truck. “Amelia, I’m on my way home. Did Dana say anything?” He said. He hadn’t realized how nervous he was until his wife picked up the call. “Owen! I’m glad you’re on your way. Meet me in Dana’s office. I told her I was going to see if I was able to get ahold of you and call her back. She just said she needed to talk to us in her office." Amelia answered as she tried to grab everything she needed before she left to Dana’s office. She felt like she was forgetting something but was feeling equal parts excited and nervous and really just wanted to get to Dana’s office and hear whatever she had to say and she knew she couldn’t do it without Owen next to her “Babe, I’m really glad you called and that I didn’t have to go get you at the hospital!” she said.

Owen and Amelia sat at Dana’s desk waiting for her to go and talk to them. Owen was running his hands nervously up and down the tops of his thighs and it melted Amelia’s heart to see how much he wanted this. She tried her best to give him a reassuring smile as she hoped for the best. Dana sat across from them and opened a file. "We have a 17-year-old pregnant girl who chose you to be the parents to her baby boy.” Amelia gasped at the news and turned to look at Owen, who looked absolutely elated as he looked back at her. “Now, she’s 38 weeks pregnant, which means she could be giving birth any day now. Do you think you can be ready when the baby gets here?” Dana asked them. Owen answered immediately “Absolutely!” Amelia giggled and said, “My sister owns the freaking hospital, I’ll make sure I get maternity leave”. “OK then, the birth mother has asked not to meet with you and wants a closed adoption and she left a letter for you, which I will leave with you so you can make a decision. Once the child is born and the 72 hours that we have to wait by law for parental right termination have passed, we will call you so you can pick up your son if you so decide. I’ll give you a moment to read the letter” Dana handed Amelia an envelope and walked out of the office. Amelia held the envelope with shaky hands and turned to see Owen looking at her. He gave her a reassuring nod and she opened it and started reading.

“Dr. Shepherd,

               I chose you and your husband to be this baby’s parents because I’m no way prepared to give him his best chance. I also decided to give him to you to give myself my best chance.

I wasn’t planning this. I was 16 and living a pretty wild life with parties and guys. I didn’t realize I was pregnant until I was too far along to terminate because I was so far gone I didn’t notice the changes in my body. I assumed it was hangovers. I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I was showing and went to the doctor to figure out what it was. I stopped the partying after that, but don’t worry. The doctor told me I didn’t hurt the baby. He has a clean bill of health and he moves around like he gets paid to do it.

I had given up. I didn’t think there was more that I could do other than party my life away. I didn’t think I was good enough to do anything else, but your story gave me hope. You turned your life around and you save lives! You work on brains! You give me hope that maybe I can turn my life around and be more than a party girl.

So, this baby is a second hope, for you to be parents and for me to have a real shot at life, if you’ll have him.

The birth mother

Amelia had tears running down her cheeks as she finished the letter and Owen’s eyes were shiny with unshed tears. They were going to have a baby! “Are you ok with this?” Owen asked Amelia, who was for once in her life speechless and nodded eagerly

Dana cleared her throat and said “You are both doctors and know that the baby will probably need a few extra checkups because of the alcohol and drugs that may have been used by the birth mother early in the pregnancy. Are you both willing to deal with that?” Owen nodded and said “We are. Luckily the day care is in the hospital and we are around in case it is needed.”

Dana smiled and said “Ok, then! We’ll finish the paperwork and will let you know when you can pick him up”

Amelia stood up and hugged the woman and they left the office in disbelief of what was happening. They drove home in silence, both still wrapping their brains around the fact that they were going to be parents. Such was their shock that they forgot they had arrived in separate vehicles and had to return for Amelia’s car a few hours later when realized it wasn’t parked in the garage.

The next week was a flurry of activity. Both managed to get leaves at work and spent their time getting the nursery ready. The furniture in the study was moved into storage and they painted the wall in a beautiful light blue. They spent what Owen called an obscene amount of money on baby furniture and clothes. They bought a crib that could later be converted into a twin size bed when the boy outgrew the crib. Amelia decided to decorate the nursery with a space theme. Owen built the furniture while Amelia placed golden stars all over the walls.  She found a beautiful solar system mobile for the crib and a lamp shaped like a cloud. Amelia and Owen were enjoying being able to get a nursery ready since it helped then adjust to the idea that they would have a child soon. The nursery helped make it real for them. “I read it’s called nesting” Amelia explained to Maggie when she came to visit and help decorate.

Within a week they had the nursery ready and all the tiny clothes put away in the drawers and all they had to do was wait. They waited patiently with their hearts full of love for their son.

[the-hunts]

Temporary

Multi-chapter AU based off 11x15. Hope you enjoy - A xx

“So… what do you like to do for fun?” Owen stammered awkwardly, looking over to his younger companion.

Ruby thought for a minute before answering, “Uh, I like to play soccer I guess, and basketball. I don’t know really know. My mom and I play outside and go for hikes a lot, or we used to.”

At this, the young girl started tearing up, sniffles escaping despite how hard she tried to hold off the tears. Owen’s eyes softened, scooting over to wrap his arm around her body.

“Hey now, none of that,” he said softly, his hands rubbing circles on her back, “Your mom is going to be just fine Ruby.”

The lanky brunette looked up at him, wiping her sleeve under her nose before shakily replying, “You’re not allowed to promise that.”

Owen chuckled at the smart response, “No, I suppose I’m not. You’re a pretty smart kid, huh?”

Ruby’s face stretched into a small grin before fading back to a frown. She picked the fabric of her sweater sleeve before she quietly murmuring, “Do you really think my mom is going to be ok?”

Owen’s heart melted and the insecure girl by his side. Her eyes were tired and her shoulders slumped in exhaustion. She looked 11 going on 35. His hand reached over to rub circles on her back again, feeling the tension slowly dissipate, “I do. Dr. Shepherd is really good at what she does, and I know she’s going to try her absolute hardest.”

What if she can’t save her mother? The little voice in Owen’s head whispered, sending a shiver up his spine. He shook the thoughts away, no use in thinking about the unlikely. Beside him Ruby was looking down at her shoes, an occasional yawn escaping from her. She shook her head adamantly, like she was reprimanding herself for being tired.

“Ruby?” Owen nudged her, catching her attention, “You can take a nap if you want. It’s been a long day.”

“No thanks. I’m not tired-” she started, only to be cut off a yawn. She looked over to Owen giving him a sheepish smile.

“Come on, there’s an on-call room just down the hall that you can sleep in,” he tried, sighing as she declined.

“I’ve got to stay here, just in case we get any news. I can’t have her wondering where I am, she’s got to focus on my mom.”

Owen chuckled at her stubborn demeanor, reminded of another steadfast brunette. He checked his watch, there would still be hours before Amelia was done. Reaching behind Ruby he grabbed the pillow, placing it on the far end of the gurney, “Why don’t you nap here. That what we’ll know as soon as anything happens.”

“I already told you, I’m not tired,” she argued, her brows furrowing in frustration.

Suddenly Owen got an idea. He slouched against the wall, wrapping his arms over his torso and closing his eyes, “Well I am. If you don’t mind I’m just going to take a quick nap.”

Ruby didn’t respond, watching the rhythmic rise and fall of Owen’s sturdy chest. After a few minutes, when she was sure he was asleep, she secured the pillow over his legs, her head falling heavy on it. Owen smiled in his “sleep”. Quirking an eye open he saw her little frame curled up, her breaths coming evenly, a tell-tale sign she was asleep. Carefully he ran his fingers through her fine chocolate hair, massaging her scalp gently.

The creak of the door broke Owen out of his reverie. Looking up he saw Amelia approaching, a solemn look plastered to her face. He shook Ruby gently, rubbing her shoulder to bring her out of her sleep. The young girl stretched like a kitten, her body adjusting after being dormant in a curled position. She lifted a heavy lid, finding the pretty young doctor she had seen earlier staring back at her, a pitiful smile on her face.

Ruby sat up quickly, nearly toppling over from the force of her movement. Her sleepy eyes ran over the surgeon’s face, looking for any clues about her mother’s condition. She straightened her shoulders, wanting to appear put together and strong as she cleared her throat, “Are you finished now? Is… is my mom dead?”

Amelia nodded slowly, worrying her lip between her teeth, “We’re all done Ruby, your mom is alive.”

Ruby scrambled off the gurney, wrapping her arms tightly around Amelia’s midsection. Her words were muffled by the young woman’s scrubs, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Amelia’s watery eyes met Owen’s as she embraced the girl in her arms. His eyebrow raised in silent question, wondering the cause for her upset. Her eyes slid closed as she mouthed one word:

Coma.

Owen’s muscles tensed as guilt wracked his body. His eyes focused on Ruby, who was glued to Amelia’s torso. He cleared his throat gently, before opening his mouth to speak. Ruby turned her attention to Owen, her smile fading at the serious look on his face.

The little girl paled significantly, “What? What happened?”

Owen and Amelia looked to each other, silently battling over who would break the news. Amelia nodded slightly before squatting down to Ruby’s eye level.

“Ruby, do you know what a coma is?” Amelia asked gently, her hands grasping the younger girl’s.

Ruby nodded gently, her eyes welling, “That’s when someone won’t wake up, right?”

“That’s right,” Amelia confirmed, her voice thick with emotion.

Ruby looked to Owen, “Is my mom in one? In a coma?”

Owen looked down at his hands before looking back, “Yes, Ruby.”

Ruby dropped Amelia’s hands and hugged her arms around herself, tears slipping down her cheeks. Owen slid off the gurney, and kneeled down, wrapping Ruby in his arms. She struggled before succumbing to the comfort he radiated, her wet tears beginning to drop on his shoulder. Owen rubbed a hand along her back, the other reaching out to grasp Amelia’s fingers, giving a comforting squeeze. The brunette’s eyes locked on his before turning her attention back to Ruby. Eventually Ruby’s tears slowed, and only the occasional sniffle was heard. Slowly, she disentangled herself from Owen, and turned to look at Amelia.

“Is she ever going to wake up?” she asked, her voice small and weak.

Amelia pushed a lock of hair away from Ruby’s face, “We won’t know for a while Ruby, there’s no way for us to tell.”

Ruby’s shoulders sagged and she took in a few ragged breaths, her eyes welling once again. Amelia’s heart tugged for the young girl, “Would you like to see her?”

Ruby nodded slowly, looking to Owen for reassurance. He smiled down at her gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as Amelia led the way to her mother’s room. The neurosurgeon stopped them just before the room, and got down on Ruby’s level again.

“She will look a little bit sick, with some tubes coming out of her arms, and she’s got a big bandage on her head,” Amelia warned Ruby, “Would you like us to come in?”

Ruby took a big breath, and shook her head, “I think I just want to see her alone if that’s okay.”

Owen nodded, “Of course. We’ll be right out here if you need us okay?”

Ruby slowly walked into the room, her breath hitching slightly. She sat in the chair beside the bed, and carefully reached for her mother’s hand.

“Hi momma,” she whispered, tears leaking out of her eyes.

Amelia inhaled sharply at the interaction before her eyes, a young girl and her incapacitated mother. To her left, she heard Owen do the same. Slowly, she linked her fingers with his, tethering herself to him.

“What now?” Amelia whispered, turning her gaze to Owen’s solemn face.

He shrugged, “We ask if she has family, emergency contacts or anything.”

Amelia worried her lip between her teeth, “And if she doesn’t? What then? Do we - do we call CAS?”

Owen released a breath he didn’t know he was holding, his face hardening, “We’ll get there when we get there, ok?”

Amelia squeezed his hand tightly, bracing herself emotionally, “Okay.”

Owen gave her a small smile with soft eyes before turning to look back at the room before them. Ruby was whispering something to her mom. Carefully she stood, leaning over to place a kiss on her mother’s cheek. She hastily wiped her eyes on her sleeve before exiting the silent room.

She slid the door closed behind her before turning to the surgeons. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her voice hoarse, “So what now?”

The three sat in an empty conference room. Ruby swayed back and forth rhythmically, enjoying the movement of the spinning desk chair. Her legs swung carelessly as she worried her lip, eyes shifting between the two adults. Owen ran a hand over his face, taking a few deep breaths. He felt Amelia’s small hand cover his, squeezing reassuringly.

“Well,” Amelia started, shifting her eyes between Ruby and Owen, “we need to figure out where you are going to stay while your mom is here.”

Ruby nodded slowly in understanding.

Amelia smiled gently at the young girl, “Do you have any family Ruby?”

Ruby shook her head quickly.

Owen tensed, his eyebrows knitting together, “What about your dad, Ruby? Or your grandparents?”

The young girl took a shaky breath, sniffling occasionally, “I never met my dad, or my grandparents. It’s just Mom and me.”

Owen’s eyes slipped closed as he tried to calm himself down. Amelia’s eyes had welled, a lone tear slipping down her cheek. She laced her fingers with Owen’s and turned her attention to Ruby.

“Don’t worry, it’s going to be okay. We’re going to help find someone really nice to take care you, ok?” Amelia reassured, her voice wavering slightly.

Owen stared at Ruby, watching her lip quiver as she tried to look brave. His heart clenched in his chest at the sight of her.

Amelia leaned over to Owen, whispering in his ear, “I’m going to call CAS and get Bailey.”

She stood, smiling briefly at Ruby, “I’m just going to call, ok?”

“Wait!” Owen said, startling both his companions.

Amelia quirked a brow at him, her head cocked. Ruby’s eyes shot to Owen, confusion written all over her face with the slightest glimmer of hope in her eyes.

He wrung his hands before placing them on the table in front of him. He cleared his throat, searching for the right words to say. He focused his gaze on Ruby, “What if - well, uh - what if I said you could stay with me, at my house? Would you - would you want to do that, Ruby?”

“Instead of staying with strangers?” she questioned, her sniffles dissipating slightly.

Owen nodded softly, “Yeah.”

“Owen,” Amelia interrupted in a warning tone, concern evident in her eyes.

He broke eye contact with Ruby, looking over to Amelia, “I’m a registered foster parent, ok? It’s fine, so long as Ruby agrees.”

Ruby smiled for the first time in hours, dimples sinking in her cheeks, “Would you really let me stay with you?”

Owen smiled back, nodding, “Of course, Ruby.”

She looked back at him, “And we could visit my mom sometimes?”

Owen nodded again, “Whenever you want to.”

The young girl stood from her chair, and walked over to Owen. He turned in his chair to face her, his eyes searching her face for an answer. She threw her small arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. He reciprocated, his arms circling her small frame.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice muffled by his coat.

“Of course,” he replied, running his fingers through her hair.

Amelia watched the scene, her eyes connecting with Owen’s. He smiled slightly, asking for reassurance. She nodded in return, lovingly smiling at him.

Owen released Ruby gently, “Let’s go make a few calls and get everything sorted, okay?”

Ruby nodded, grabbing his hand. Amelia smiled at the pair, walking with them. Suddenly Ruby looked up at Owen, “So where will I stay in your house?”

Amelia’s eyebrows shot up, turning her attention to Owen, she waited for the answer as well. Owen stalled for a moment as a sheepish look came over his face, “Well, that’s something we might have to figure out.”

Ruby looked between the pair and shrugged, “Okay.”

[omeliashipper]

The solution to our problem Part 2

Special thanks to @cizavilation and @ailingnoor for betaing and for supporting me through the process of writing.

I started this 6 months ago, so I’m ignoring most of season 13 and just continuing the story I started. 

This chapter is after this: https://omeliashipper.tumblr.com/post/153186227891/the-solution-to-our-problem-part-1 and before: https://omeliashipper.tumblr.com/post/154106278856/double-date

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"You're sure it was Tuesday and not Thursday?" Amelia asked as she paced up and down the living room. Owen was sitting on the couch trying to hear what the commentator on ESPN was saying. "Yes, Dana said that she would be dropping by on Tuesday at 3 pm" he answered patiently "Are you sure she said 3 pm?" Amelia asked nervously. Owen sighed and responded "Yes, I'm sure. Do you want to see the email again?" Amelia stopped pacing abruptly and reached for the remote to turn the TV off. Owen changed his position on the sofa so he could turn back to look at her. "I was watching that, you know?" He told her.

"Owen, we're going to fail this" Amelia exclaimed with wide eyes "Dana will walk through the house and see 100 ways the baby could kill itself in this dangerous house because we didn't babyproof it!" Amelia started pacing again, faster this time and Owen couldn't contain his chuckle. "I DON'T SEE HOW YOU CAN BE LAUGHING RIGHT NOW!" Amelia was raising her voice now. "This woman is going to decide if we are fit to be parents and you are sitting there, watching some bald man talk about sports while I'm losing my mind! How are you so calm? We haven’t even started moving things out of the study to make room for a child! What if she asks us where the nursery is going to be? We don’t have a freaking nursery!" Owen was openly laughing now as he walked toward her. He took her hands and said "Babe, we're going to be great parents. Everyone will see that. Dana will see we have a great home and that we love each other and that we will love the child they give us. Everything will be fine. We’ll show her our home and explain we will turn the study into the nursery. I think that she will understand that since we recently decided to adopt, we still don’t have the room ready." Amelia considered Owen’s words and tried to make an effort to calm down. Amelia's breathing was just going back to normal when the doorbell rang. Her eyes widened as she exclaimed "That's her!"

Dana was a kind woman in her late 50's with a lot of experience in the system. She was sweet and had a soothing voice. It was clear that she cared deeply for the children and wanted them to have good homes. She reassured Amelia when it became obvious that she was speaking very fast because of her nerves. Owen did most of the talking during the tour of their home because Amelia was worried that between her nerves and her natural inability to filter herself, she might ruin their chances of getting a child. When they made their way to the study, Amelia explained “This will be the child’s room! I know it doesn’t look anything like it yet but it will soon!” Owen chuckled and continued “Yes, we will move everything to storage and buy the appropriate furniture and decorate it for them” Dana looked at the space and asked “Are you open to adopt sibling groups?” Owen and Amelia looked at each other “Yes, we also have the guest room that can be turned into a room for them” Owen responded as Amelia nodded. As they made their way to the living room, Amelia commented “I know nothing has been babyproofed but it is on our to-do list”. Dana chuckled “I’m glad to see your dedication, Dr. Shepherd, but I wasn’t expecting your house to be babyproofed yet”

After the tour, they sat in the living room and answered questions about their work and family life. Owen took Amelia's hand and squeezed it reassuringly, which made her smile even though the amount of notes Dana was taking made her nervous.

 “Thank you for the tour. You have a lovely home. Now I must ask you a series of questions to make sure you are applying to adopt for the right reasons and make sure the child would be going to a stable home environment. Why did you decide to apply for adoption?” Dana inquired. Owen looked at Amelia as she answered “We both have wanted to form a family for years, both separately and as a couple. After I lost a son shortly after his birth, I realized I cannot do that again, but we have so much love to give and have always wanted to be parents, so when presented with the choice between surrogacy and adoption, we both felt in our hearts that adoption was the best option for us” Dana wrote down some of her answer on her clipboard and asked “Do you feel like one of you feels more strongly about adopting?” Owen and Amelia held hands and answered “No” at the same time. “Very well. Who suggested adoption first?” Dana asked. Owen sat up straighter and responded “I did. I had considered adopting a boy a few years ago. His parents were patients at the hospital when I was chief of surgery. We bonded and after his mother passed away and it seemed like his father wasn’t going to make it, I thought about it, but his father recovered and they were transferred to another hospital”

 Dana finished writing down his answer and questioned “I see, now I will ask you about your families, starting with you, Dr. Hunt” Owen cleared his throat before responding "My mother, Evelyn Hunt, is retired army nurse who lives 5 miles away from the hospital we work at and where the daycare is, so in case the children need to someone to pick them up and we're both in surgeries," Amelia nodded along as Owen spoke "she's close by and can help. My father, was also part of the army but passed away when I was 10." Dana continued taking notes " A military family, I see" Owen puffed up his chest in pride "Yes, ma'am. I had a sister, Megan, but she went M.I.A. a little over 9 years ago."  Owen said looking at his hands. "M.I.A.? She's no longer part of your life?" Dana asked. Amelia took Owen's hand and squeezed it for support as she answered "She went missing in action while on her way to provide medical service in combat" Dana put down her pen and looked at Owen "I'm sorry. People misuse MIA all the time, I did not realize you really meant it" Owen lifted his hand to stop her and said "Don't worry, I understand"

"And there's also John Finch. He's Evelyn's boyfriend. He lives with her, He can also help." Owen turned to look at Amelia, surprised she had mentioned John. Amelia extended her arm toward Dana and continues "Dana needs to know about John in case the children have a sleep over at your mom's or have to spend the day there and he's around." Dana looked up from her clipboard at Owen "She's right, Dr. Hunt. If Mr. Finch is going to be part of the children's life, it is important I know about him, and since he lives with your mother and she is part of your support system, I think it's safe to assume he will" Owen sat back in the sofa and continued “John served in the Navy, but now he’s a firefighter, so sometimes he also has weird hours like we do, so it is a possibility that he might be the one to pick up the children if need arises” “Uh-huh” Dana finished writing and looked at Amelia “Can I ask about your family now, Dr. Shepherd?” Amelia swallowed hard and rubbed her hands up and down her thighs in nervous energy “My family” she chuckled “Well, I’m the youngest of 5 siblings. My mother, my 3 sisters and their families live back east. I have 11 nieces and 6 nephews. My father passed away when I was 5. My mother a former Navy nurse raised us on her own. My brother passed away almost 2 years ago as a result of a car accident but we’re close to Meredith, who was his wife and their son and daughters as well as her sister, Margaret Pierce. They could also be part of our support system, in case they are needed. We have a village really!” Dana chuckled as she took notes of Amelia’s answer.

 She looked up from her notes and said “Now I must ask you about childhoods” Amelia looked at Owen in slight panic. Owen took Amelia’s hand and nodded reassuringly at her. Amelia took a deep breath and looked at Dana. “My father was working the cash register at the convenience store when it was robbed. They took the money and wanted his watch, which had been a gift from my mom, too. He refused and they shot him. My brother and I were in the back of the store. I was five.” Amelia paused and looked at her hands which she was now clasping and unclasping on her lap. “It’s safe to say that affected me and I had a bit of a wild childhood. I’m sure that at some point you will have to ask about substance abuse, so I might a well let you know now. I became addicted to alcohol and oxycodone, but I am sober now and I attend meetings regularly.” Amelia turned to look ruefully at Owen, convinced she had just ruined their shot at adoption. Dana looked at her and said “Addictions is something we definitely bear in mind when considering a couple to become parents, but whether or not it will become a deal breaker, comes to the biological parents. They make the final decision.”

 Owen and Amelia continued answering questions about their past and families until Dana announced that she had the information she required to build them a file. After walking Dana to the door and thanking her for her visit, they collapsed on the couch in relief. "I think that went well" Owen said. Amelia just looked at him warily in response “I think we answered like 100 questions” she said. “Now we wait” Owen said as he reached to take Amelia into his arms “This isn’t our only option, Amelia. If they decide to pass us up, we can always try surrogacy. We’ll find a way.”

[omeliashipper]

The solution to our problem Part 1

I had this idea a few nights ago and while I had originally planned it as a oneshot, it’s going to be a multichapter because there are so many things I want to write about it. I’m very excited about this idea and I hope you all love it as much as I do. Special thanks to @cizavilation for betaing this for me. 

 Owen walked into the house, tired after a 12 hour shift and was surprised to hear what sounded like a door closing in the bedroom. He walked in there and saw Amelia stuffing clothes into a duffel bag. "So, you're leaving?" he asked her. Amelia jumped, startled and looked at him guiltily "I thought your shift ended later. I just came to get some clothes and I'm going back to Meredith's" she said.

Owen pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He had already had this conversation with his ex wife once before and he didn't want to go through the same experience with his wife. With Cristina, he had punished her and shut her out. He didn’t want to do the same with Amelia. He didn’t want to repeat history. He wanted to talk this out with Amelia and fix the situation. "Can we at least talk? Before we got married you said you wanted 5 children. We both wanted it. Last week you said you don't want babies and left before I could say anything about it and have been going out of your way to avoid me. What changed? Is it me?” Owen’s voice was breaking with emotion “Did I do something that made you no longer want to have children with me? Tell me what I did so I can fix it! I am your husband, Amelia! Don't I get at least a conversation?"

Amelia knew he was right, but felt she couldn't have this conversation with him and walked out of the room. She didn’t know how to tell him she was the problem, that she couldn’t give him the children he deserved. Owen considered letting her leave but he had done that a week before and had only made things worse. As hurt and frustrated as he felt, he missed her and wanted to go back to the things were a month ago, so he followed her into the living room. "Amelia, don't walk away from me, don't walk away from us. Talk to me, please!" He pleaded. Amelia spun around where she was standing in front of the sofa they had excitedly chosen that was currently being a barrier between them.

"What do you want me to say, Owen?" She exclaimed "That I am terrified of having another brainless baby? That maybe my body is only capable of making babies with no brain?" Owen was stunned by the words coming out of her mouth. He had no idea what she was talking about but her words made many things start to make sense in his head. Her reluctance to have children had nothing to do with him or their marriage. She was scared and in pain. He wanted nothing more than to walk around the couch and hold her to provide comfort but he knew that if he moved, she would close up and stop talking to him. So he stood behind the sofa and waited for her to continue. "I am a neurosurgeon and when Addison did my ultrasound, she discovered my son had no brain and there was nothing I could do about it, because the universe loves its irony. It gives me a baby with no brain and kills my brother with a brain bleed. So I carried him to term, held him in my arms for 43 minutes and then they took him away so he could donate his organs. He was a hero. He saved more lives in his short life than most people ever do in a lifetime." Amelia's voice broke and tears were running down her face as she looked at Owen to see his reaction.

Owen's eyes had softened as he took in the story his amazingly strong wife was telling him. This time, he walked around the couch and as he gathered her in his arms, he kissed the top of her head. Amelia looked up at him "I can't hold another dying baby in my arms. I can't go through all that again. It will kill me" she whispered. “And I can’t do that to you! You have wanted this for so long. You deserve whole, healthy babies” Owen wiped her tears and asked "Do you want to be a mother?" Amelia's eyes widened "Didn't you hear what I just said? I can't do it!" She raised her voice as she answered, pushing him away from her.

Owen smiled sweetly at her "I didn't ask you to become pregnant, Amelia. I asked you if you wanted to be a mother. There are other options, you know? We could adopt or hire a surrogate" Amelia couldn't believe what he was saying. She had been sure he would hate her. She never considered that they could have other options to become parents. "Would you be ok if we adopted?" She asked him. "I actually considered adopting once, a few years ago, so yes, Amelia. I would be OK adopting. I want to have a family with you but that doesn’t mean you have to grow a human in your womb" Owen smiled, relieved that they could talk about what had been on her mind and that they could find a solution to their problem.

“Your ex wife wanted to adopt? I though she didn’t want children?” Amelia asked, confused by his confession. “No, I was planning on doing it as a single father. It was a thought I had, more than a plan, and in the end it did not work out, but that does not mean I have ruled it out. I want to be a father and if you want to be a mother, we can start looking at options to start our family.”

Amelia hugged him and said “Ok, lets do it. Let’s adopt!” she laughed as Owen picked her up and swung her around. For the first time since the negative pregnancy test, they were happy and Amelia felt whole again. It probably wasn’t going to be easy and she would still worry if she would be a good mother, but they had options now. There was a solution to what she had thought would be the end of their marriage. They could still make their dreams come true and for right now that was all she was going to focus on.