Never Gone
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.
Link took them in his arms.
“Best thing.”
—
