A/N: I just wrote this short drabble in like 30 minutes, on my phone, in my notes app, exhausted, and a lil high on anxiety meds (read hella fuzzy in my brain, not actually high, but it kinda feels like I'm drunk??). I did this as a free writing "just write whatever comes into your mind" kinda exercise, to help calm me down (and it worked, so 10/10 recommend doing this). Long story short, however, this could be utter shit, and I might remove it tomorrow morning once I wake up and am able to form coherent thoughts. BUT IT MIGHT ALSO BE GOOD (nurture that self-confidence, you know), or somewhere in between that spectrum? The story itself is set right after Amelia moves to Seattle from LA, and I think this is what would be considered AU. Now, before this note becomes longer than the actual drabble, ENJOY!!
***
"Amelia", his voice cuts through the disarray of the ER, leaving no doubt as to who it was directed at. Inaudible to, or at least unnoticed by, anyone else but her. "Amelia, wait". But she pushed through the cluster of people surrounding her, suffocating her. She needed to get out, get to the front door, get through it, breath. Breath.
Rushing passed the front desk, Amelia made her way through the exit and into the warm summer Seattle night. Stumbling a few more steps, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. In. Out. In. Out. Was she supposed to breath in through her mouth and out through her nose, or was it the other way around? She didn't remember in her current state. It didn't matter. Fresh air. Time to think. No interference. That was all that mattered.
With her eyes still closed, she stumbled a few more steps forward, knowing the way to her favorite bench in front of the hospital entrance all too well. She could find it with her eyes closed, easily. Taking more deep breaths (she thought it might actually be breath in through your nose because she was getting all kinds of dizzy now) repeatedly until she reached her destination.
The problem was, as soon as she sat down, she realized it would have been an exponentially better idea to open her eyes for at least a second or two to check no one else was occupying her bench. Instead, she found herself colliding with another body just as she lowered herself unceremoniously onto the presumed hard seat.
"Oh my god", she squealed , her eyes flying open, as she flew back upright to a standing position. Turning around, and coming face to face with her unintentional cushion, the terror in the pit of her stomach exploded. Her mouth slightly hanging open, dumbfounded, she stared into the man's eyes for a few seconds before uttering two words that made her want to disappear into thin air: "Chief Hunt".
The tall, ginger doctor sitting on her bench, albeit in a position that betrayed his suppressed urge to jump up as well, now looked up at her with an amused sparkle in his eyes. "Doctor Shepherd", his voice sounded low, almost hoarse. He too must have pulled off a few shifts in a row. "If you were so adamant on sitting in this exact spot, as opposed to the room on either side of me, all you had to do was ask". His face remained stern, but his voice betrayed a tone of amusement. He was enjoying this.
"I am SO sorry," Amelia gasped, her shock slowly fading and turning into utter embarrassment, leaving her with left-over adrenaline raging through her body. "I wasn't paying attention, obviously. I mean, I definitely didn't mean to sit on you ... ON YOUR LAP, I mean ...", oh boy, she was digging a whole deeper than she could ever climb back out of. "I mean, not that I don't want to touch you ... as in, I'm not scared of it, you're not contaminated or anything. I just ...". She shook her head vigorously to stop herself from rambling more, attempting to calm herself down and utter at least one sentence that would make sense.
"I was just ... I had my eyes closed because I was trying to enjoy the night-time, fresh air. You know, calm down a little. So i wasn't paying attention, and I didn't see you sitting here ... I usually sit here", she added as an afterthought.
Doctor Owen Hunt observed her for a few seconds. Here, standing in front of him, was one of his newest attendings (quite possibly his, soon to be, new head of neuro), arrived only a few days ago. And already he found himself drawn to her. This was not a good idea.
"That's okay", he said, gently. "Why did you have your eyes closed anyway?"
Amelia huffed and plopped down onto the bench right next to Owen. "Just to calm down", how many times had she said calm down in this conversation? She couldn't recall. Maybe 90% had been in her head anyway. "Moving is always so much harder than you first expect. I'm just trying to turn a new leaf, you know?
He didn't know. Or at least, he didn't think he knew, or understood. Nonetheless, he opened his mouth and let his words go their own way. "So ... what happened?"
***
She had been finishing up the last rounds of her shift, getting ready to go home (or rather, to her brother's home) and sleep for as long as it took her to recover from her tripple shifts. She'd had delivered her tablet, along with any accompanying paper files and forms, to the department's front desk, and had said her quick see-you-later's to her colleagues.
And that's when it happened. That's when she'd seen his face. Unexpected, and not altogether a pleasant surprise. No, that was putting it mildly. It was the last face she had expected, as well as wanted, to see right then.
It was James.
James. The man she'd thought she'd loved. James. The man she'd said yes to when he'd asked her to marry him. James. The man she'd broken up with over the phone. Over the phone. Who does that? Her James. The James she hadn't spoken to even once, ever since. He'd tried to call. Many times, in fact. But she'd ignored every single attempt. She knew it was unfair, maybe even cruel. But she couldn't face him. Not even through the phone. It was too hard. She was building a new life for herself, had given herself that chance. And he was not a part of that, couldn't be. She had to do this alone. Start all over, a new leaf, a new beginning. Whatever, something like that.
But now here he was. In person. Real life James was here in Seattle. Her LA James was here in Seattle. And it shook her. This was not how it was supposed to go. This was her new leaf. An all new Seattle leaf. There was no room for LA James here.
But he was here, unquestionably, and he'd spotted her. Making eye contact with him, she stood frozen. It was as if time stood still, and no one else in the ER -no, in the entire hospital- existed.
But this wasn't how it was supposed to go, damn it. So, before his presence could taint her new Seattle leaf (irrational she knew. Psychotic really, she knew), she turned around and ran. Rushing to the exit.
And now here she was. Sitting next to her boss. The chief, and a cute one at that, no less. Telling him her (albeit abbreviated) life story as if she'd known the man for years upon years. And she didn't even stop to consider whether he actually had an interest in hearing any of it. Regardless, or maybe because of that, she just kept going.
"So," Owen started carefully. "You broke off your engagement with him over the phone?"
"Yeah," she blushed at the incredulous look he was giving her. "Definitely not one of my proudest moments".
"And now he's here?"
"Now he's here".
"And you don't want to talk to him?"
"And I don't want to talk to him", she sighed. "I know I have to. I owe him that. It's just that," she fidgeted around in her seat. "So much happened, back in LA. So much that I don't want to remember, or at least not think about for while. At least until I'm settled a little more, and am in a state where I can properly cope with it. But he ... he is part of that past. He is a reminder of everything I want to forget, for now. He's inevitably linked, one way or another, to all of it. And him being here makes it so hard to do that, to cope and compartmentalize". A few seconds of silence passed between them as Owen glimpsed the surface of all the pain within her eyes. "AND," she suddenly added, "how the hell am I going to explain all of that to HIM?"
"You just explained it to me", Owen smiled gently. "And you don't even know me that well."
Amelia, as if suddenly realizing who exactly it was that she was talking to, turned her face to meet Owen's gaze. Her eyes remained slightly horrified. "I can't believe I just told you all of that." She smirked apologetically. "I have no filter." She added. "Or so I've been told, at least."
Owen chuckled. He didn't mind this non-filter, rambling continuously, woman he'd just met. "I wouldn't know where they'd get such nonsense".
She laughed. A beautiful, whole-hearted laugh that reflected the adrenaline discharging in her body. And it warmed his heart, made him feel all fuzzy and confused at the same time. What was this crazy lady doing to him? "Listen," he heard himself say, not realizing where he was going with his words before he said them.
"It is none of my business what happened in LA, and I'm certainly not here to judge you or your decisions". He caught her eyes, and smiled. "But I can see that you're clearly ready to get far away from here, and there's a pizza place a few blocks down. So," what in the world was he doing? "If you feel like postponing the conversation that -even though I said it was not my business- you should probably have with him sometime soon, face-to-face ... do you want to go and grab some pizza?"
Amelia looked up at him, surprised.
"You know, just to help you calm down. I can't imagine sitting down on someone unexpectedly, with your eyes closed, could have been helpful in that?" That sounded like a good excuse for why he wanted to spend some time with her right?
The neurosurgeon chuckled. She knew she had to talk to James at some point, explain to him why she left LA, why she left him. She owed him that. But for now, going for pizza with her boss, who had turned out to be a most admiral listener, sounded like the best thing in the world. And if it meant that she could potentially make a new friend (a handsome, open, and kind friend ... and had she mentioned handsome?) in this new Seattle leaf, than James could wait just a little while longer.
***
A/N II: Okay yes, pretty sure this sucks, and/or is OOC, and/or is the worst thing I've ever written. I'm never writing on meds again. BUT, it was very fun to write and that's what matters! This is not proof read, or read through entirely at all really. I'm so ready to fall asleep! My sincerest apologies for any spelling, grammar, or any other mistake I've made! I hope you enjoyed, and as always, let me know what you guys think! Feedback warms my heart, and nurtures my self-confidence (see how I brought that back? Full circle ... OKAY OFF TO BED NOW, it's clearly necessary)
Hi guys!! This fic is based on a prompt from @omeliafics :
'Prompt: Taking place after the S13 finale- Amelia try's to cover up a bunch of pregnancy symptoms from Owen while they're taking care of Megan at the hospital and he notices.'
This is a collab between myself and @ailingnoor. We’ve worked very hard on this and are SO excited about this because we both LOVED the prompt! Part 2 will be coming shortly. Enjoy! :-)
The strong wind was blowing on their faces as both Owen and Amelia stood side by side at the helicopter pad of Madigan Army Medical Centre.
Amelia took a sideways glance at Owen. He had a stoic look on his face, and she wondered what was going through his mind at that moment. Was he anxious? Excited to be reunited with his sister? Or was he still in a daze? She didn’t know. He wasn’t the type to show emotions in public.
She was pleasantly surprised when he suddenly took her hand in his and gave it a subtle squeeze. It indicated that that he needed her support and was grateful to her for being there for him. Although their marriage wasn’t in a good place at the moment and they had many unresolved issues and unspoken words between them, she was glad that at least they were holding hands. They were in this together.
Her heart was beating fast as the helicopter landed and the helicopter door opened. She didn’t know what to expect. She had never seen Megan in real life before, she only had old photos of Megan which Owen showed to her to go by. Owen hardly ever talked to her about his sister, and she never pestered him to open up to her about his family, respecting his privacy. According to what Owen had described in the long car ride to the hospital, Megan was a cheerful, caring, fun loving and witty lady. She gathered that Megan meant a lot to Owen, and both siblings shared a strong bond. She knew that it consumed Owen on the inside to have his beloved sister missing all these years, only to find out that she had been held in captivity. She also knew that this Megan, the Megan who would be returning to them, would not be the same person anymore. Owen’s sister would most probably have been traumatized, tortured and abused throughout her duration of captivity, she reasoned, and therefore would need therapy.
She gave Owen’s hand a subtle squeeze as a gesture of support.
Meanwhile, standing beside Amelia, Owen felt the gentle squeeze of Amelia’s hand. This somehow gave him the comfort and strength he needed to face this moment, the moment where he would reunite with his long lost sister.
His mind was still in a daze, and everything around him was a blur of activity. But when the helicopter door opened to reveal Megan on the stretcher his heart constricted. Although it was too far away to tell if it was really her, he knew deep down in his heart that this was indeed his sister. His beloved sister whom he shared happy childhood memories with, the beloved sister whom he failed to protect, the sister whom he stayed up awake during those long nights thinking of. He missed her terribly and always prayed to whatever powers above to bring her back to him. Now, his prayers have been answered and she was actually returning to him. He didn’t expect the actual moment he had dreamt of and prayed about all this while to feel this way. Now that this moment was here, his heart was racing, but his mind and body numb. Was she even awake and conscious? What would her reaction be upon seeing him? What would he say to her? He had so many things to apologize to her about, and so many things he needed to say to her, he didn’t know where to start.
As the stretcher carrying Megan was wheeled towards them, Owen caught a glimpse of Megan’s pale face. She looked weak and listless and mere shadow of her former self.
The trauma surgeon felt a sudden surge of emotions overcome him. He wanted to run up to the stretcher and give her a warm hug and tell her that she was safe now. But he knew that she wasn’t in the right condition at the moment to receive such sudden display of affection. Instead, he stood rooted in his spot as his eyes followed the stretcher carrying his sister into the hospital building.
Now it was just Owen and Amelia left at the helipad, still holding hands.
Their eyes met. Owen’s were watery as he tried to hold back the tears now pooling in his eyes. Amelia’s were full of compassion and sympathy.
‘ Let’s go in to see her.’ Amelia suggested softly as she gave Owen’s hands another gentle squeeze.
They didn’t break hands all the way to the elevator, down to the first floor, and down the hallway.
Owen paused right outside of the trauma room where Megan was. Amelia waited patiently as she squeezed his hand as a subtle gesture of support.
After about a minute, Owen took a deep breath and said, ‘I’m ready.’
Amelia nodded in reply and they entered the room.
Nothing could prepare him for the sight which greeted him. His dear sister was lying motionless on the hospital bed, a pale shadow of her former cheerful self. Her hair was messy, her face was deathly pale, and she looked so skinny. Her left hand was being connected to an IV drip set and she was being connected to beeping monitors.
The nurse in charge of Megan was busy recording Megan’s vital signs on the chart.
Owen shook his head as tears began filling his eyes and his heart constricted. No, he refused to believe it. This woman lying on the bed wasn’t his sister. The Megan he knew was cheerful, lively and full of wit and sarcasm.
‘This isn’t her.’ Owen muttered to himself, shaking his head.
‘No, no..’he continued muttering, shaking his head vigorously.. ‘ This isn’t my sister.’
‘Can I have her chart please?’ Amelia asked the nurse politely as the nurse nodded and handed her the chart.
‘Owen.’ Amelia said softly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. ‘This is Megan. Look. This is her name on the chart. Although she might not look the same from when you last saw her, this is your sister.’
Ówen shook his head as he looked at his wife with a crestfallen expression on his face.
‘I…..I just can’t.’ he muttered, his voice full of remorse as he turned around and walked out of the room, his head bowed down.
‘I’m so sorry.’ Amelia turned to look at the nurse apologetically. ‘ My husband is just overwhelmed by this recent turn of events, you know, finding out that his sister is alive and being kept in captivity all this while. I think he just needs time to process this.
‘ I know….I understand.’ the young, kind looking nurse smiled at her. ‘Don’t worry about it, this is normal reaction. I’ve been a military nurse for many years, I’ve seen how people react to this type of news.
Amelia smiled back at her.
‘’So how is she now?”she asked softly as she looked at Megan. She had never met Megan in person before, and it made her sad that she had to meet Megan for the first time under this condition.
‘Well, she was in a really dehydrated state when they found her. Apparently the enemies escaped and left their captives abandoned in the basement during the air raid. We’ve hydrated her and we’re monitoring her vitals which seem stable for now. Currently, she’s weak and doesn’t seem to respond when we try to talk to her.’ the nurse whispered as both of them looked in Megan’s direction. Megan was lying motionless on her hospital bed, her eyes shut.
Amelia felt a sudden surge of pity for her sister in law. She couldn’t bring herself to think about what Megan probably had gone through while in captivity. Part of her wanted to sit at Megan’s bedside and hold her hand and tell her that it was going to be okay. But another part of her knew she had to find her husband and convince him to come back into the room to be with his sister.
The nurse cleared her throat, interrupting Amelia’s train of thoughts.
‘ Dr. Shepherd, I have to clean Megan up now. Maybe you can go to find your husband first and you both can come back later after she has been cleaned up.’
Ámelia nodded in agreement, whispering thank you to the nurse before she left Megan’s room to find Owen.
She found Owen pacing up and down the waiting area, his head in his hands.
He stopped as he spotted her, and slumped down on the nearest sit, still burying his head in his hands.
‘Owen.’ said Amelia softly as she took a seat beside him and rubbed his back soothingly.
‘I know this is hard to accept.’she continued, when the gesture didn’t elicit a reply from him.
‘But Megan is your sister. You told me on the way here about how you miss her so much and cherish your childhood memories together. And now that she’s here, don’t you want to be with her? I know she might not look or act the same as the last time you saw her, but she’s still your sister, Owen. ‘ she added as she continued rubbing his back.
Owen finally looked up at her as their eyes met.
‘ Please.’ Amelia pleaded. ‘ Go in with me to see your sister. Talk to her. She might seem like a pale shadow of herself but she’s in there somewhere. I’m sure she misses you. Go in and be by her side, Owen. She needs you.’
She slowly reached out her hand and he took it as they walked hand in hand into Megan’s room.
Owen slowly walked over to Megan’s bedside and took a seat as he held her hand. Her hand felt cold in his.
He studied her face, which was deathly pale. Her eyes were shut and he willed them to open to reveal her blue eyes which were a mirror of his.
‘ Megan.’ he whispered. ‘It’s me, Owen.’
His heart sank when there was no response from her.
He squeezed her hand.
‘Megan, listen, I know you’re in there somewhere and you can hear what I’m saying. I’m just so glad that you’re back. ’he whispered as a tear rolled down his cheek.
‘ You know - I really thought that you were dead after being missing for so long. Mom thought you were dead too. We had long resigned to that fact.’
‘I’m so sorry Megan- I’m so sorry for giving up on you. I should’ve searched harder….I should’ve....’he shook his head sadly as he wiped another stray tear off his cheek. ‘I’m sorry I let you get on the helicopter. I could have stopped you but I didn’t. Had I stopped you , this would not have happened. I’m so sorry.’
At the other side of the bed, Amelia slowly took Megan’s other hand, her heart breaking at Owen’s words. He had to know that it wasn’t his fault that Megan was held captive and that he had no way of knowing that she was still alive.
Owen sighed sadly as there was no response from Megan.
They both sat in silence on each side of Megan’s bed, holding her hand. Seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into hours. Megan showed no signs of movement, and her eyes were still shut.
When Amelia checked her watch, she was shocked to realize that 5 hours have passed.
She glanced at Owen who was sat at the other side of the bed, his brows furrowed with worry and frustration.
‘Owen, why don’t we go home and get some rest.’ Amelia suggested, her heart aching for him. ‘The nurses will call us if there are any changes. You look tired and you need some rest too. Things aren’t going to change if we just sit here and wait.’
Owen grumpily obliged and they both left the room after informing the nurses to call them should there be any changes.
They headed home in silence as Owen stared blankly out the window.
‘ Owen, I know that this is hard for you.’ Amelia said softly, her eyes not leaving the road. ‘ I know it hurts to see the sister you love in this condition. But there’s nothing you can do about it, except to be there for her. I know she might not acknowledge you at first, but she needs you. Just hold her hand and talk to her. She did just escape from being held hostage for many years. This kind of trauma doesn’t resolve itself overnight. Give her time, Owen. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.’
As they reached a traffic light, she stole a glance at Owen. The street lights illuminated his facial features, showing his crestfallen expression. He didn’t say a word throughout the rest of the journey and the entire ride home was tense.
When they arrived home, he quietly got out of the car and headed inside. Amelia followed, feeling worried for her husband. Her mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts after the recent turn of events.
They quietly went through their bedtime routines, and as they tucked themselves into bed, Owen turned away from Amelia, still not having said a word to her.
Amelia’s heart sank and she wished she could do more for him.
The next morning, they arrived at the hospital at 9 am sharp, when visiting hours were open.
Owen walked stiffly down the hall, still quiet as a mouse, as Amelia watched him carefully. He tried to walk right into Megan’s room, but Amelia stopped him.
“Owen, be patient with her, okay? She might be better today or she could be worse. Whatever happens, I’ll be right here with you if you need anything, okay?” she said softly, touching his arm as a gesture of support.
Owen nodded, and spoke for the first time in twelve hours.
“Okay.”
They entered the room to find Megan still sleeping in the same position as the day before.
“Someone should probably readjust her.” Owen suggested.
Amelia muttered in agreement before walking out the door to find the nurse in charge of Megan.
They went through the same routine that day. They stayed by Megan’s bedside the entire time. About every hour, a hospital staff would come in to check on Megan, and Amelia would usher them to the hallway to ask about her progress. Owen sat at his spot beside her bed, just staring at her in silence.
At lunch time, while they were having lunch together in the hospital cafeteria, Owen muttered a few words about his sister and how he hated to see her in this condition. Amelia offered him some words of encouragement and support.
They went back to Megan’s room and Owen sat by Megan’s bedside holding her hand, while Amelia spent the time alternating between sitting on the other side of Megan’s bed and doing crosswords, or pacing the hallways.
By the end of the second day, Megan’s condition remained the same- she had neither improved nor deteriorated. The doctors had informed them that it was no surprise, considering the conditions she had been living in right before her rescue, with no food or water. They mentioned that she probably didn’t get much sleep while being locked down in whatever bunker she was held in. She probably hadn’t slept in days when she was rescued.
Considering they were both doctors and experienced similar situations with their own patients, Amelia and Owen completely agreed with what the doctors told them. But that didn’t stop Amelia from interrogating every medical professional that entered the room or walked through the hallway.
The doctors told them that Megan would wake up soon, possibly within the next couple of days. According to them, her stats were normal, there was no other reason for her still be asleep other than extreme exhaustion. Owen had not opened up to Amelia yet, and she was worried sick about him. She spent her days rehearsing what to say to him in her head, even though she was certain that he wouldn’t respond. He was basically shut down, which wasn’t a surprise to her. She had called the best PTSD therapist she knew to see him, and she really hoped that it would work. He would need therapy now more than ever. Having his sister back was seriously going to change his life, and she knew those memories the Hunt siblings shared together would resurface.
They drove home in silence once again, after visiting hours were over, and Amelia couldn’t take it anymore. Her anger and emotions had been boiling for days and living in constant silence was only agitating her more. Going through the same motions for the past couple of days was too much. She was over this. She had been holding it all inside for Owen’s sake, because she knew this wasn’t about her. Right now, Owen and Megan took precedence.
Usually Amelia was great at burying all of her thoughts and feelings deep down inside. Hell, she did it for a year after Derek died. She worked and worked until Owen came home a year later and made her relive all her true emotions about her brother’s death. However, for some reason, she just couldn’t hide her thoughts and emotions this time around. She felt like this whole Megan situation was different.
She had become quite antsy and annoyed the past couple of months and was feeling more tired lately, despite getting plenty of rest. Plus, she had been throwing up almost every morning for the past 3 months. She had thrown up the past couple of days as well, but Owen had been too tired and too sound asleep to notice. She had managed to hide her secret well up to now, but she didn’t know how much longer could it remain a secret. She knew that Owen would figure it out sooner or later and she had to tell him soon before her growing belly gave it away. She could already notice a tiny bulge in her belly and she knew it was only a matter of time before it became visible to everyone. Just like her previous pregnancy, she didn’t show that early, but at 4 months she knew that she would start showing soon.
She knew that now was not the right time to tell Owen the news yet though, she was afraid it would be too overwhelming for him after the recent turn of events. He needed to focus on Megan first.
When Amelia stepped out of the shower that night, Owen was sitting on his side of the bed pretending to read a journal.
As she climbed under the covers on her side of the bed, he continued reading his journal without acknowledging her.
‘Owen.’she whispered as he flipped to another page of the journal.
‘Owen’ she whispered louder when there was no reply from him.
Knowing that he had no choice but to face his wife- he reluctantly placed the journal down on his lap and looked at her as their eyes met.
‘ Owen, speak to me.’ Amelia said firmly but softly as she cupped his face in her hands. ‘You haven’t spoken a single word to me for the past couple of days.
‘There’s nothing much to say.’ Owen muttered as he looked down, trying to avoid her gaze.
‘ I know you have a lot to say, Owen.’ Amelia pressed on. ‘Your sister just returned back to you after going missing for 10 years. It’s a lot to process. You just found out that she had been held captive all these years, this whole thing is so overwhelming, I know. Furthermore, she’s still sleeping and we don’t know when she’s going to wake up. I know it’s hard.’
‘ What do you want me to say, Amelia?’ Owen raised his voice. ‘ My sister, my dear sister whom I’m supposed to protect has been held captive for 10 years! I let her get on the helicopter. And now- just look at her. She has yet to open her eyes.’ he shook his head sadly.
‘ Dr. Peterson did mention that her body needs some time to recover. Give her some time, Owen.’ said Amelia softly as she rubbed gentle circles on his back.
‘ I know, but for how long? How long does it take for her to recover?’ he asked, his voice full of angst.
‘I don’t know’. Amelia shook her head sadly. ‘We can just hope for the best.’
‘ Exactly. We don’t know.’ Owen sighed. ‘We don’t know when or if she will ever wake up.’
‘ She’ll wake up.’ Amelia said firmly. ‘ You just need to be patient.’
‘ How do you know, Amelia? It has been 2 days already and she still has yet to move or open her eyes. How do you know that she’ll wake up? How long does it take for your neuro patients to wake up after surgery? She’s not even a neuro patient!
‘’Well, I don’t know ok?’ Amelia retorted, starting to lose her patience. ‘I don’t know when she’ll wake up. What I do know is that we’ll continue visiting her and taking care of her until she wakes up!’
‘What if she doesn’t wake up?’ Owen asked, looking at her with sad blue eyes.
‘ Well then the hours taken to travel back and forth the hospital and sitting by her bedside will have been a waste. Why can’t you just have a little faith, Owen?’ Amelia asked, getting more irritated by the second. ‘I may not know her yet, but I know that she’s a fighter.
‘ You’re right, you don’t know her. You don’t know the person she was before this. All you see now is her lifeless body lying on the bed.’ Owen pointed out.
‘Yes, I don’t know her! But what I do know is that I have been driving you for miles back and forth the hospital, and also helping to feed Megan, change her clothes and clean her up. I’m exhausted too, Owen. So you don’t get to point out that I don’t know her and you don’t get to say that she isn’t going to wake up!’ Amelia retorted in a shaky voice. ‘ You’re not the only one going through this!’
Before she knew it, tears started rolling down her cheeks, and she quickly wiped them away with the sleeve of her baggy night shirt, not wanting Owen to catch her crying. She knew that she had to be the strong one now for them both and for Megan.
Owen felt a sudden pang of guilt at seeing his wife in tears. He had been so caught up in his own thoughts and emotions that he had forgotten she was going through this too. She had not left his side for the past few days and he really appreciated it.
‘I’m so sorry Amelia.’ he apologized ruefully as he gently pulled her in for a hug. ‘ Thank you for being here for me.’
He inhaled the vanilla scent of her hair which he missed so much.
He felt Amelia’s tears wet his shirt and he ignored it as he continued hugging her tight.
They remained in that position for a few long moments before Owen felt Amelia relax in his arms. He looked down to see her eyes closed and her face in a relaxed, contented smile.
He gently placed her on her side of the bed, and draped the blanket over her petite frame.
Lying on his side, he took in every single detail of her body, from her angelic and beautiful face to her slim body. He really missed her soft, warm touch and every part of her. He reached his hand over to drape it across her belly, noticing it felt a little different. But he hadn’t touched his wife there in a while, so he blew off the thought.
Switching off the night lamp, he let himself succumb to sleep, the events of the past few days wearing him out.
The next morning, Owen awoke to weird sounds coming from the toilet.
Disorientated and still groggy from sleep, he padded to the toilet, rubbing his eyes.
His eyes widened as he saw Amelia hunched over the toilet bowl, retching the contents of her gut out.
On reflex, he ran over to her and lifted her hair as she continued throwing up.
When she had nothing left to throw up, she sank on the toilet floor moaning as Owen flushed the toilet and handed her some tissue paper to wipe her mouth.
‘You ok?’ he asked softly, rubbing her back. ‘Have you been throwing up at all recently?’
‘ Every morning for the past 3 months.’ Amelia replied meekly, as he helped her stand up and led her to the sink to wash her face.
Owen’s eyes widened in realization as he put two and two together.
Amelia had planned on spending the summer at her brother and sister in laws house in the Hamptons, but instead of laying on the beach, she had been invited to spend her summer with NYCB in Saratoga Springs. She was to start learning the ins and outs of the company.
She shared a room with a girl named Rachel, who was also new to the company. She, however, had been an apprentice before joining, which made Amelia’s eyes dance, wild with pride. She hadn’t had to apprentice; she had been invited right into the company proper. She was accomplished and had been given a contract within her own right; she hadn’t had to prove anything except to graduate from SAB.
The summer days were spent learning the companies upcoming repertoire, and Amelia loved it. There were so many ballets lined up for the fall season that she was thrilled to learn any and all of them. The first she learned was Serenade, a Balanchine ballet and a staple in both companies. She had learned a slightly watered down version in school, but learning it with the principal dancers and soloists rushing around her was much more exciting. Rushing around on stage, in and out of the invisible wings of the studio gave her a high, so much more than the Adderall did – although she was still popping two before morning classes, and another two before rehearsals.
Slowly navigating the company was nerve-wracking at first. Rachel helped her, but Amelia sort of did her own thing. One principal male caught her eye, a red head named Owen Hunt, but he had been introduced to her and didn’t give her a second glance. He was married to a pretty soloist, a Korean girl named Cristina who had come to NYC from the National Ballet of Canada, a girl who was fierce and strong and had an intimidating personality. They were partnered together but Amelia felt like she was the only person who could see they were all wrong for each other, especially Cristina’s best friend, who seemed to adore them together. Her name was Meredith, but she wasn’t familiar enough with her – she had come from the Boston Ballet School a few years before Amelia; at 21 she wasn’t much older, and neither was Cristina, but they were good.
When they weren’t dancing, they were hanging out with one another, and Amelia used this time to lay by one of the lakes, listening to her favorite composers and work out difficult steps in a piece on one of the many docks in Saratoga Springs. At night the company would dance, and sometimes she was asked to go on stage for someone in the corps, but most of the time she watched from the audience, five years old again as she sat with her sisters, watching these very people transform and dance before her eyes. She was enchanted, now that she was working with these talented people, and she especially watched Cristina. She was a good dance; she was naturally thin and light, dancing like her life depended upon it, like she couldn’t breathe without it. Amelia however, had come to have an infatuation with Owen. She loved those summer nights though, and as August drew to a close and she moved back to the city, into a small apartment by herself, she missed the cooler air of the mountains, the open air stage, and the openness of getting to know the company. Now she had two morning ballet classes, one on pointe, a partnering class, a variations class, and rehearsal upon rehearsal.
One September morning, she walked into the studio to find the company crowded in front of of the casting lists. It was crazy; they were dancing 43 contemporary works including Balanchine ballets, and then there were 3 full length classics. As a corps member, Amelia wasn’t in everything, but as she waited her turn to look at the lists, she found she was in so many, her head was spinning. Coming straight from SAB, she knew much of the choreography to begin with, but she had her work cut out for her.
Slipping into the dressing room, she sighed as she pulled her dress over her head, glad in a blue leotard that made her eyes stand out even more and a pair of black stirrup tights, a few holes showing through them. She didn’t stand out though; many of the other company members were dressed similarly, right down to the holes in their tights and she smiled as she pulled on worn out canvas ballet flats. A new pair of pointe shoes stuck out of her bag as twisted her hair into a bun, sticking in a few pins and shaking her head back and forth, making sure her bun would stay put during the day. She was ready for class.
Stepping into the studio, she headed over to her place at the barre before she felt a presence next to her. She looked up and noticed Addison, her brother’s wife. His private practice were benefactors of City Ballet, and he had met Addison when she was a young corps girl. They had married when they were in their early 20’s, and years later they were still married. She was fifteen years older than Amelia, who was only 18, making Addison 33 and a well-known principal dancer. Everyone know Addison Montgomery-Shepherd. She was a legend in the ballet world, and Amelia always watched her. She especially watched her as Addison came over to her, taking her hand and Leading her over to the barre where she always stood, a smile on her face.
“Come on, Amy, you’re standing with me now. You’ll get noticed by Peter and the rest of the teachers and they’ll give you better roles,” she smiled, before the pianist sat down at the piano. Amelia’s heart fluttered wildly as she put her left hand on the barre and got lost in the music.
Learning choreography was a piece of cake. She hated being stuck in the corps when she had been so used to being the shining star of SAB, but she knew she would be dancing corps roles for a few years, at least. Addison was great though, and for the first time in her life she found herself bonding with the woman who had been married to her brother since Amelia was 7. Until then, she had just been her sister in law, but Addison guided her through the company, teaching her right from wrong, what she should be doing to get noticed and what would get her sent to the back row in their pieces. As a result, Amelia was always chosen as one of the first-row dancers,
The first role she danced were a few corps roles in The Sleeping Beauty, her first dance being The Garland Dance, or as most people knew it, Once Upon A Dream. The partner she had been placed with at the beginning of the year, Ryan, was immensely talented and Amelia trusted him not to drop or hurt her. She had discovered his affinity for pill popping early on, and now they met every morning to take their Adderall together, smoke a few cigarettes, and stretch by the fountain in Lincoln Center. On stage though, they were beautiful together, especially during Sleeping Beauty when they danced. The pair were perfectly in sync, especially during the Garland Dance, where Amelia not only had to hold up the heavy garland of flowers, but perfectly Pas with Ryan. After a few performances, her name started to appear in reviews, much to her delight. Addison, of endless money from both Montgomery and Shepherd, gifted her a silver bangle bracelet with a pair of ballet slippers engraved on the inside.
Dancing night after night without stop was exhausting, and Amelia found herself popping more and more Adderall as each day went on but it was still her and Ryan’s secret, especially where they got their medication from. Sometimes he took other things, things that Amelia was too scared to touch yet; she was still happy with her Adderall. She had shed five pounds already and her bones were starting to stick out, more like the soloist and principal women. She was working hard too, her body was going into overdrive and she was shedding the pounds like crazy, watching what she ate, studying Addison and all of the soloist and principal women. But to her, she was in control. To her, she wasn’t developing a problem.
Sleeping Beauty was like a dream. Dance after dance with Ryan as her partner, she was on a high, even as a corps girl. Many of the girls were getting injured and she was stepping into extra roles, so much so that she was in almost every scene. She relished the thought that she was out there getting notice, her mother in the audience some nights watching her youngest daughter succeed at what she loved, her brother out there watching both his wife and his sister, and for a moment she was almost completely happy, the traumas of her childhood gone for a few nights.
Hey Everyone! So I had half of this little chapter written a year ago? (something like that, sorry), and when I came and read it back I nearly cried, its like a little time capsule I wrote! Arizona! And Oh boy Omelia, I feel this all so much. I wrote them and their love, how I always hoped (and hopefully still do hope) love could be.
Oh boy. I’ll get writing the next chapter. Please please send feedback, really just let me hear your thoughts, I’m awful emotional these days, and I cry real easy. Could use some moral support tbh.
Link to Chapter 1 for any new readers
Link to Chapter 18 for anyone wanting to recap
Masterpost
I sincerely hope this was worth the wait. Thank you for sticking with me.
Enjoy:
The house was quiet. Amelia stood at the window of the living room and pulled up the blind. The sun was rising. Orange light poured in, the feeling warmed Amelia’s chest. She had been waking up at this time for the past few weeks, someday’s the sky would be so densely overcast, with clouds hanging low. Not today, today the far sides of the cotton like clouds were orange and pink, and the sky that peaked through behind was indigo.
Amelia sat down on the chair she had placed by the window weeks ago. It was a routine, she’d awaken before sunrise, before everyone else, and amble about the house. She’d check on the kids, letting her eyes drift across their beds, their faces would always be so calm, lips in sleepy pouts.
She’d make herself a cup of tea and go to the window, to watch the sun come up, and then fall asleep, there in the tattered armchair. Someone would always wake her late morning, usually Owen, or one of the girls, in a sweet and gentle way, tickling fingertips across her brow line, tiny hands rubbing circles against her round stomach. She’d opened her eyes to little Ellis doing this first, and the girl smiled, eyes glowing with the kind of energy only she, too young to understand what was lost, could possess.
The sky slowly evolved in its colours, the light becoming yellower, the clouds lost their pink. Amelia rest her head back, and consciously relaxed her jaw, inhaling deeply through her nose. She had one hand wrapped around her mug of fruit tea, absorbing the heat, and her other moving in soothing circles against her taut stomach. She was about a month from her due date, and the babies had limited room now, so their movement was restricted, more like sharp nudges and shoves, as if they were sharing a tent that was much too small for the both of them.
Amelia took a sip of her tea and rest the mug atop her stomach, looking down at herself. In disbelief for a moment, she though, if someone had given her the ability to see into this moment a year ago, she wouldn’t have believed it.
Before her mind wandered too far, and anxiety gripped too hard, she paused, and breathed deep, uttering “five things I can see.” She glanced up at the sky. “The sky… the clouds, the sun… The tree tops… snow” she breathed deep, and closed her eyes. Listening now to the sounds of her friends breathing heavily in their sleep behind her.
One sound prompted her to snap her eyes open. She sat forward, eyes wide up to the sky. She put her tea down and stood slowly, pressing one hand against her lower back as it ached under her load. Her eyes were wide, filled with light. Among the clouds; A bird swayed across the sky mutely, Amelia’s eyes followed it. One of the babies nudged her and she held herself, ears twitching again at the sound of the bird wailing softly. She smiled up, at the first bird she’d seen since before this all began. He soured across the treetops, dancing in circles, as if he knew he had an audience.
Suddenly another appeared and Amelia gasped, watching them circle around each other. Amelia quickly eyed Owen, looking undecidedly between him and the window. She moved to him slowly, keeping her eyes out of the window. Nudging him with her foot, she called his name in a whisper. His eyes sprang open and he sat up in a panic. She smiled, shaking her head and he immediately calmed.
“Look…” is all she said, gesturing that he should follow her back to the window. She only knew he had followed by his presence behind her, his arms around her. He rest his chin on her shoulder, as if trying to see through her eyes. “Look up there” she whispered, pointing. His eyes captured the birds in their dance.
Amelia’s eyes glistened and she held Owen’s arms against her, smiling slightly, biting her bottom lip. The two birds swam in soft zig zags across the treeline and then soured upwards, up and up until they were up above the house, and out of sight.
Amelia turned within the circle of Owen’s arms and smiled wider, tears dropping fast from her eyes. Owen smiled too, and they didn’t need to say anything. More tears fell and they kissed, sinking down onto the armchair, curled against one another, with arms entangled and embracing. Amelia looked up at Owen, at the sky reflected then in his shining eyes.
He looked down, meeting her gaze, smiling contently. “I love you” he told her, and she nodded, uttering “I love you too…” whispering “so much” as she rest her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. She moved both of her hands to his chest, so that he had access to her whole stomach. He pushed his hand up under her white shirt and moved it in firm, shushing, circles, enticing a sigh from his wife's lips.
`The birds could still be heard, the first sound of life that had poured from the sky. Owen remained awake, eyes cast down at Amelia, draped across his lap. Her features were illuminated by the yellow of the sun. Her breathing deepened as sleep took her and her whole body slackened. Owen brushed the hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear, before pushing her shirt up over her bump. He rest his hand gently against it, running his eyes around her, taking in the sight.
It was an odd feeling; feeling so incredibly lucky and unlucky at the same time, it was like a hand was wrapped around his heart, intermittently clenching and then unclenching its grip. He had to remind himself to not think about all that was wrong and all that could go wrong all at once. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes, pressing his lips to Amelia’s forehead, breathing in her smell. He remained in that position, lips against her, hand against large swell of her stomach. One of the babies shifted minutely, a twitch of movement under his hand, and Owen smiled, kissing Amelia again.
“Owen…” Owen looked around, Arizona was sat up on the couch. Her eyes were wide and immensely blue in the light. Owen smiled tearily. “Is… that birds? That sound?” Arizona asked, dragging her index finger across her cheek to move her hair from her face. Owen chuckled breathlessly and nodded, looking back to the sky. The birds were in sight again. Arizona moved to the window and peered up, mouth agape. They both watched. Arizona curled her arms around herself, feeling the chill of the winter creep through the glass. Her mind was up with the birds though. “They’re beautiful…” she said, “I thought we’d never see anything again…” She beamed suddenly, and chuckled, shaking her head. “This… they are a sign I think”
Owen nodded, smiling tightly, uttering “I think so too.”
Arizona looked down at Owen, and at Amelia. Her smile softened, “She’s beautiful…” she said, pressing her lips, letting her eyes drift across the pair. She held herself tighter and wandered across to the mattress that Owen and Amelia shared, scooping up the blanket. She brought it back and draped it across them, gently lowering it onto Amelia so not to wake her. “Thank you” Owen spoke quietly. Arizona just nodded and made her way over the the fire, she leant down beside it and nudged the embers, placing some paper and then some wood on it. The fire fluttered at the edges of the paper and then regained, engulfing the debris. Arizona swiftly dropped another log onto it and then watched, hands in her lap, as the flames wrapped around it. Warmth built against her skin and she relaxed into her seat, smiling slightly.
Owen closed his eyes. Though he could feel anxiety and worry at the very edges of his mind, he focused in on the feeling of utter contentedness and it swelled, one of the babies nudged against his hand.
TBC
Thank you for reading xxxx ALSO please reblog, I know I had many people reading this way back when, who didn’t/don’t follow me, more reblogs means it’ll find its way back to them.
ALSO also please tell me what you’d like to read here next?
Omg yes please write a fic! Any fic honestly!!! Would love to read anything u write #amelink
I’ve already received one prompt for an Amelink fic, and it’s already underway. I’m also writing a new ‘darkening’ my chapter for my omelia anon 🥰 my cannon prompt was for some more sister love and Amelia having contractions. If you want to read anything in particular, drop me another message 🌸❤️💜🌸
Hello! sorry for taking so long with this, I’ve just been writing away with this, I already have a lot more to post! I hope you like it, please let me know if you like where its going, and what you’d like to read!!!
All of you feedback is so so much appreciated, good and bad.
Chapter 14
Masterpost
Anyway enjoy xxx
Amelia slept for a few hours, having slept for a long time on their journey. She opened her eyes and found Evelyn awake too, sitting up against the base of the couch, where Nina slept. She felt Amelia’s eyes on her and met them, smiling tiredly.
“Can’t sleep?” Evelyn asked her quietly. Amelia shook her head, pushing herself up, leaning on her arm. “Want to come sit with me?” Evelyn asked and Amelia nodded, shuffling to the end of the mattress and shifting on to her hands and knee’s crawling carefully across the short distance between them. She settled down on a cushion beside Evelyn and sighed softly. Evelyn took Amelia’s hand and held it tightly. They sat in silence, watching the candles flickering light.
“Owen and I….” Amelia began, she looked down at herself. “We should have been more careful, I…. feel so guilty…” She stopped, pressing her lips together tightly, frowning.
“I feel so guilty for bringing a baby into this” she said, tears dropping from her eyes, landing in dark circles on her bump. She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Oh Amelia, I know, I know” Evelyn smiled sadly, curling her arm around Amelia, pulling her into a hug. “You mustn’t think that way, this baby will be happy, and loved, and protected, just as she would if the circumstances were different” Evelyn soothed her hand against Amelia’s back.
Amelia nodded slightly, “It’s just, its not fair, I hate that we can’t give them a normal life”
“We’ll find somewhere safe, we’ll grow food, she won’t know any different, it will be okay” Evelyn said holding Amelia tightly. They sat quietly. Eventually Amelia sighed, sniffling, relaxing further into Evelyn’s embrace, it reminded her of her mom’s.
“You think the baby is a girl?” Amelia asked, fiddling with the fabric of Evelyn’s sleeve.
“I do, the way you’re carrying, and I always guess right” Evelyn said, brushing the hair from Amelia’s forehead, letting Amelia relax into her lap. She gently played with her hair with one hand, and rest her other against the side of her bump. Amelia closed her eyes, the comfort of the situation, overwhelming her.
“Why couldn’t you sleep?” Amelia asked,
“I slept in the truck on the way too, are you feeling better?”
Amelia hummed, “yeah, I do, I hope it was just a bug or something. I just want to feel okay, normal. Though I don’t think I’ll be feeling ‘normal’ for a long time”
“I don’t think any of us will sweetie, we’ll find a new normal, hopefully you’ll feel better soon… I had sickness and nausea until six months with Megan”
“Maybe it’s Owen’s genes then”
“Did your mom ever tell you about her pregnancies?”
“No… it never really came up”
“They say the more kids you have, the easier the pregnancies get”
“This is my second…” Amelia found herself saying, Evelyn’s hand stilled briefly. “I had a baby when I lived in LA, he was born without a brain and… He died”
“Oh Amelia, I’m sorry to hear”
“It’s okay, it’s okay”
“You know I had a stillborn, long before Owen and Megan were born, until then, I didn’t know pain like that existed… I didn’t think I could survive, but… I did, and when I had Owen, the pain... it didn’t have as great a hold on me. I could see my baby, my first baby, in him, then in Megan, I still do” Amelia smiled softly, casting her gaze across the room, at Megan, and at her husband, both sound asleep.
“Is the baby normally more active at night?”
“Mostly when I’m awake, and lying down. Makes falling asleep difficult, I think she settles as soon as I drift off.”
Evelyn’s hand splayed against Amelia’s stomach and Amelia closed her eyes. “Do you need to lie down?” Amelia asked, realising that she was falling asleep. Evelyn shook her head, “no dear, I’m comfortable enough here. I don’t feel like sleeping anyhow.”
She continued threading her fingers through Amelia’s hair. Amelia sighed.
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When Owen awoke, it was daylight. He felt immediate anxiety at the realisation that Amelia wasn’t in bed beside him. That anxiety immediately faded when he saw her with his mom. They were both asleep. Evelyn was reclined against some pillows against the base of the couch, with her legs outstretched. Amelia lie with her head resting in Evelyn’s lap. A woolen blanket curled around them, keeping them both warm.
Megan and Richard were awake, sitting with the children, all of them eating sandwiches. Nina was sat up on the couch, with her arms wrapped around her legs, eyes fixed on the grey sky through the window. Arizona and Alex were both still asleep, or appeared to be.
Wind rattled the single paned window, and whistled through the cracks in the wooden frame. Amelia shrugged at the wind in her sleep and pulled the blanket up to her shoulder. Evelyn opened her eyes, looking down first, at Amelia, pulling the blanket up further over her shoulder, stroking her hair back. Owen found himself smiling, seeing his mom care so lovingly for Amelia warmed his heart.
Evelyn looked up, meeting his eyes. “She woke up last night, I was already awake, I couldn’t sleep”
“You’re both okay?” Owen asked, and Evelyn nodded, looking back to Amelia, soothing her hand against her shoulder. Amelia pouted, furrowing her brows. Owen knew she was waking up. “Hopefully no morning sickness today” Owen said, crossing the room, dropping down onto the empty mattress in front of Amelia and Evelyn.
Amelia opened her eyes, closing one and peering up at Owen. He smiled, “he.y”
Amelia closed her eyes again and groaned with exertion as she sat up. She looked around, forgetting, for a moment, where she was. “Hi…”
“Are you alright?” Evelyn asked, folding her arms. Amelia nodded sharply, twisting so that she too leant against the couch base, feet outstretched towards Owen. Owen wrapped his hands around her feet and pressed the pads of his thumbs into her arches. “How are you feeling?” Owen asked, running his eyes over her. She inhaled deeply.
“Okay” she said, nodding, looking to Owen hands as they moved around her feet, “I feel okay, tired”
“Hungry?”
“Sure” Amelia replied, smiling warmly. Owen nodded, looking to his mom.
“Mom?”
“Please”
Owen looked to Richard, “I think we’re just doing sandwiches, that alright?”
The two women nodded, and pulled in their feet so that Owen could walk around them.
“I need to pee” Amelia said, looking behind her to check she wouldn’t be hitting Nina as she got herself up.
She met Owen’s gaze at the door, just as she pulled the chair away from the handle. He smiled warmly, acknowledging her.
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The hall was illuminated by the light of day, and it looked entirely different than it had when they’re arrived in the night. There were pictures on the walls, of a family. Amelia moved along the hall slowly, running her eyes across the images, there were light patches on the walls where it looked as if picture frames had once sat.
At the end of the hallway shoes were strewn around the floor; a man’s, a women’s, and a small girls. Amelia cast her eyes back at the pictures. They had a baby, maybe a year old. Looking back down at the shoes, she moved forward and lifted the lid of a large wicca box, and found more shoes. A tiny red shoe, just longer than the length of her thumb sat in the corner. A heat overwhelmed her and she took in a sharp breath, leaning down and picking it up. Holding it in both of her hands. She looked back to the pictures.
Owen’s voice shook her from her thoughts, he called her name. She looked down at the shoe, and Owens hand cupped hers. Ray and Ellis moved around her and she could see them peering about, at the shoe in her hand, and then at the shoe box. Their energy was contagious, they were giggling, and nattering away. Ray, saw the other red shoe and gave it to Ellis, telling her to “Give it to Meelie.” Their exchange brought a smile to Amelia’s face.
Ellis waddled towards Amelia, singing, “Meelie, mommy” holding the shoe up to Amelia. Amelia’s smile faltered slightly, as did Owens, but they both recovered quickly. “Present” she said, handing it to Amelia with a big smile.
“Thank you baby” Amelia said, taking the shoe. Ellis reached up for Amelia as soon as the baby shoe left her tiny hand, wanting to be carried. Amelia instinctively bent to pick her up, but Owen got to her first, lifting her the majority of the way and placing her into Amelia’s arms, saving his wife’s back.
“Maybe, we could... Keep these shoes?” Amelia asked Owen, feeling suddenly exposed. Owen smiled, looking to the shiny red shoes. He nodded, and leant in to kiss her, taking the shoes into his hands. “Alright Ellis bear, will you look after uncle Owen for me while I go pee? He gets awful lonely” Amelia said, speaking into Ellis’ ear as if it were a secret between them. Ellis turned her head, looking to Owen, who pulled a sad face, bottom lip rolling. Ellis grinned and lolled backwards, reaching out for Owen to take her.
Ray stayed behind, looking down at all the shoes. “The little girl who left here, looks to be the same size Ray, you want to see if there’s a good pair of boots?”
“What if they come back to look for them?”
“They won’t, because she’ll have taken yours from your house, it’s like a swap” Amelia said, hoping the family were alive somewhere, and not gnawing at dead flesh out in the woods. Ray twisted her lips, gazing down, considering Amelia’s words. “Maybe there’ll be some comfier shoes you could wear too?” Ray shrugged, looking around. Amelia nodded, her smile reaching her eyes.
“Have a look for me, I’ll look with you in a minute”
“Can we talk through the door, I don’t want to be on my own”
“I’ll leave it open a little if you promise to guard the door for me” Amelia suggested, slowly moving past Ray into the toilet. Ray nodded sharply, pulling the bathroom door too, open a gap.
--------------------------------
“Here, sit down” Ray directed Amelia to a chair she had dragged into the hall. Amelia allowed her to pull her towards it, and sat down. “I’m alright Ray, I don’t actually need to sit down?”
“Well…” Ray, lowered herself onto the floor amongst all the shoes she had pulled from the box. Amelia frowned curiously, taking in the little girl’s worried expression. “What is it Ray?”
“I think… well… you have a baby in your tummy… and everything is too dangerous, and I heard Owen talking to Nina in the van… and you weren’t well”
Amelia’s face morphed to one of sudden understanding.
“You had that big fight when you got me… and you almost died, and I don’t want you to get hurt, you or the baby… So I just…” she looked up, spanning her gaze around Amelia, and at the chair.
“Oh Ray, Come here” Amelia said, reaching out her hands. Ray climbed to her feet and moved to Amelia, who held both of her hands. Ray pouted, keeping her gaze from Amelia’s, staring pointedly at Amelia’s stomach instead. “Ray, back then… I wasn’t being as careful as I am now, and plus everyone is looking after me.”
Ray nodded gently, furrowing her brows. Amelia pulled her on to her lap, wrapping her arms around her. “I’m okay, Ray, I promise. I was just sick in the truck, which is normal when you grow a baby” Ray nodded again. ”Everything will be okay… alright?”
Ray smirked, pressing her lips together and nodding. Amelia kissed her on the cheek and held her tightly, “Breathe little one” she whispered, feeling some tension leave Ray. Ray swung her feet and smiled wider. “Oh, look at those lovely shoes” Amelia said, peering down at the red boots on Ray’s feet, they were much like the tiny pair that she’d found earlier. Ray smiled proudly, and nodded.
“They fit nice”
“They do? Well I guess it was meant to to be” She said, hugging Ray tightly, dotting a kiss to her cheek.
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“Are we leaving?” Amelia asked, moving back into the room with Ray at her side. Amelia had a nearly new pair of sneakers on her feet.”Yeah…” Owen said, walking to her and handing her half a sandwich. Amelia took it, nodding slowly, looking around at everyone.
Bags were being restuffed, and heaved over shoulders. Ray sped from her side, over to Ellis and her bag and her toys, and her cat Ginny, who’d become a tame and well behaved version of herself.
Amelia felt the prickle of a shiver sweep over her body as she entertained the idea of being out on the road again.
She wrapped her arm around her stomach and swallowed back a ball of tension in her throat. “Sit on the couch Amelia dear, we’ll get everything sorted” Evelyn spoke kindly, her hand pressing firmly against her back. Amelia released a restrained breath and looked down at herself, moving to the couch without looking up.
Richard stooped over the sofa and passed Amelia another sandwich. He paused behind her, eyeing everyone around the room as they packed their bags. He glanced down at Amelia, at the hand she had pressed firmly against her stomach. He sucked in a chestful of air and pursed his lips. He quashed his worry for her, and for the baby. He met Owens gaze and they exchanged a stream of concern. Richard smiled tightly, and turned away, back to his bag.
Amelia finished her sandwich and smoothed her hands over her bump, closing her eyes. Owen grit his teeth. His worry became weighty, and a sudden dizziness overwhelmed him. He winced, swallowing hard, looking down at his feet, at his bags.
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“We ready?” Alex spoke, pulling the door open.
No one answered verbally, they simply began to file out of the room. Amelia walked ahead of Owen. She was tired, Owen could tell that much from the extent of her waddle. His eyes watered at the prospect of not being able to give her what she needed right now; safety, and certainty. She paused at the door, taking in the morning mist, and the cool grey sky. Owen bit his lip, and ran is hand across her waist. She shuddered slightly, startled, before nodding, stepping out.
The grass was crisp under their feet, ice melting. The van bounced up and down as everyone jumped in. “um, how… how long will we be driving?” Amelia asked, taking Alex by the arm.
“Uh, I don’t know… we… Hey Owen… You and Amelia sit up front with me? Seeing the road might help your sickness” Alex said, gaze locking with Amelia’s again. She inhaled and smiled, awash with relief at the idea of not having to ask to be sedated again. Owen nodded, slinging their bags into the back of the truck and tucking the pillows he was carrying higher up under her arms. Amelia took a step back so the doors could close and moved against Owen’s chest. He pressed a kiss to the back of her head and she smiled, turning to him and briefly dropping her head against his shoulder.
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The van part the mist as it sped along the barren road, the sky was white. Amelia sat with her back to the window, pillows surrounding her, her calves on Owen’s lap. The window wipers were the only sound, thumping and sweeping against the window. Amelia gazed lazily out the front window, eyes drooping every so often.
Owen and Alex’s eyes were wide and observant, out at the road. They drove along a forest road for what seemed like an hour. Amelia fell asleep after a while, comforted by the repetitiveness of the forest blurring either side of them.
“Are we heading back to the house?” Owen wanted to confirm.
“Richards?”
“Yeah”
“Yeah we are, on the off chance that no one has found our stash of supplies”
“You know the way?”
“I know the direction, I’m hoping to see something familiar eventually, we might need to hit the edge of the city”
Owen nodded slowly, looking back to the road, then across at Amelia. Owen brushed his hands up and down her legs, and them moved one to her bump. He closed his eyes, letting his neck go slack, resting his head back. Under his hand he felt a slow fluttering of movement, and he pressed his lips together, suppressing his smile.
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A loud thump woke them both with a start, and they opened their eyes to find blood splattered against the window. The truck bobbed and bounced as it ran something over. Eyes widened, “Alex, what…” Amelia began, but Alex interrupted her.
“It’s okay, it was one of those… things, a zombie dude.”
It took the couple a while to relax, and to settle back into their seats. They both eyed the front window, as the window wipers streaked blood across the glass. Owen felt Amelia’s cold hand against the back of his, holding his against her. Soon the blood was gone, apart from a few smears at the corners.
They were out of the forest now, rushing along a straight road through frosted fields. Amelia pulled her legs towards her and folded them at the knees. She shuffled to sit up further and hummed, opening the window a crack. Wind crept in and played with the hair at the top of her head. She tilted her head back so she could inhale the cool air, eyes dropping shut. “Are you feeling sick?” Owen’s voice pierced through the sound of the rushing wind. Amelia nodded, uttering “A little, it’s fine.”
She closed the window after a few minutes, pulling a blanket up to her shoulders. “You know what I miss?” Amelia said, breaking the silence.
Both Owen and Alex peered her way, Owen’s eyes lingered on her. “Waffles?” Owen smirked, raising his brows.
Amelia smiled back, shaking her head, “yes but, no… I miss tumours, big butterfly tumours…” She placed her hands at the back of her head and sat back, smiling.
Owen saw the glint in her eye, one he hadn’t known he’d been craving.
“All of them, I miss surgery.”
“I miss waiting at the intake doors of the ER, for the ambulances to arrive… the anticipation of it” Owen said, nodding.
Amelia smiled, so did Alex.
“I miss the simple things…” Alex began, half smiling. “I miss the kids and… just seeing them get better… and go home”
The group beamed, their smiles lingering as they settled their eyes back at the road.
Up ahead, they could just make out the figures of people staggering in and out of the road. Amelia folded her legs in tighter and sat forward, eyes widening to take in the sight. Alex slowed slightly as they passed them. A man, dead, naked, was covered in darkened and blackened blood. The fingers of one hand were missing and the side of his face was mangled and bloody. A little boy followed, also seemingly dead. He walked slowly, on the balls of his feet, head hanging down. His hair spiked towards the ground, soaked and darkened by blood. He wore a oversized tshirt and the remnants of a pair of green shorts. Another man limped along side the boy, randomly changing direction and drifting into the woods as they passed by in the truck. “Fuck” Amelia muttered, sinking heavily into her chair. Alex and Owen both shared the sentiment.
LINK TO CHAPTER 16
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