So I was writing this short chapter and it found a way to conclude itself. As always, I hope you enjoy and I’d love any feedback or reposts. 💜
Their magical beach vacation had come and gone and now they were back to work. Amelia got off early when her last surgery changed classifications to non-emergent and postponed to Monday. Once she got Leo, Leah, and Liam all fed, bathed, and and tucked in, Amelia started to catch up on laundry. It was normally done by Owen since he had enough of Amelia mixing bright colors with his light or white button ups and distorting their color, but vacation set them back and she wanted to surprise him. She was careful to separate all items by color and to use according detergent for them. Pleased with her rare domestic chore of doing the laundry, she strutted down the hall to the bedroom to browse for a bigger house. On the last night of vacation, they decided they’d move to something bigger since they had twins on the way.
She dozed off for maybe 30 minutes but woke to their front door shutting. Finally Owen was home. After all, it was 9:45 pm and he was due to be off work at 6.
He followed her voice down the hall and immediately pulled his tie and button up off, leaving his slacks, belt, shoes, and socks in a heap on the floor. He looked worrisome and even a little defeated.
“I had an awful day and I just want it to be over. I had a trauma come in which was a family of 3 who went off the road and met their match with a massive tree. The 2 year old was dead on impact along with the dad, and I lost the mom in surgery.”
He collapsed on the bed beside her on the bed. Amelia quickly pulled him down to her chest, letting his head rest right on her heart. Her fingers ran through Owen’s ginger curls and she exhaled deeply.
“We can’t save them all, unfortunately. I know it sucks and it’s frustrating. Had I known, I would’ve kept one of the kiddos up. Their cuddles makes everything better.”
“I really just wanted you. You make everything better for me.”
She was touched by Owen’s simple comment. It felt nice to be wanted by someone other than the kids or for something else other than sex (even though she’d never complain about that).
“You sure that’s all that is wrong with you?”
His hesitation to answer only confirmed there was something else.
“I don’t know Mia. It’s stupid, really.”
“You’re a lot of things, Owen, but stupid isn’t one of them.”
“When I was changing out of my scrubs, Avery and Deluca were in the lounge having a conversation about this new gym they’ve been going to and how they couldn’t imagine not being at their absolute physical best for whoever they go out with or whoever they bang. I stayed out of it but there’s such a difference between me and them. I peered into the mirror once I was dressed. I look like shit. My face looks exhausted. My hair is orange which isn’t too appealing to most. I look dorky wearing a button up and tie everyday. My stomach isn’t as flat as it was when we first got together. I just wasn’t happy with what I saw.”
“Owen, I think you’re perfect.”
“You’re my wife, so I’m sure you feel you have to say that. I looked over at them and they both look so young, full of life, strong, and happy. I didn’t see that when I looked at myself. You’re gorgeous, brilliant, hilarious, and as caring as a human can be. You could have anyone, male or even female, in the entire world and you settled with me.”
Amelia pulled herself out from under him, stood, and ushered him to stand in front of her.
“Amelia? What are you doing?”
“Just stand in front of me.”
With Owen in just his boxers right before her, she forced out a genuine smile and looked over his body.
“Mia, what is the point of this?”
She decided to start at the top of his head and go all the way down.
“I for one love your ginger hair. It’s unique and it’s the same color hair Liam has. You have small bags under your eyes but that could be because we have 3 young kids with two more on the way or rather the fact we’ve been traveling back home and switching time zones again. Your eyes are still the sky blue eyes I melted over. Your neck is one of my favorite places to tuck my face into whenever I’ve had a particularly trying day. Your shoulders are our babies’ favorite place to sit, especially whenever you spin around. Your arms are nice and strong. They’re the things that make me feel safest. Your hands are magic both when you use them on me and when you save lives which you do more times than not. Your chest is my favorite pillow and your heartbeat is one of my favorite sounds. Your abs are defined which I think is so hot. You’re still some bad ass army major. Your stomach isn’t big at all and even if it was, it wouldn’t make me love you any less.
Both Amelia and Owen had tears forming in their eyes with Amelia’s declaration of love for him.
“I don’t even need to mention what is between your legs. Clearly I love it enough to let it knock me up multiple times pretty much back to back. Your legs are long and defined. They create the height difference that lets me be able to gaze up at you. You gotta give yourself more credit, babe. I listed off all the things I love about your physical body but you’re even more perfect on the inside and that’s what matters most. Sure I could have someone else but so could you. The fact of the matter is that I chose you, Owen. I have not and will not ever regret that. You’ve given me a life others can only dream about. If going to the gym will help you feel better about yourself, I can sign you up for one first thing in the morning. Please just know that I love you just how you are. I always have. Your clothes don’t bother me either. I love you in a tie. I also love what you do with your ties here at home. I never settled. I sought you out. I wanted you. I won’t ever regret that.”
She wiped his tears away and he wiped hers.
“I love you so much Amelia. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. It’s my job to pick you up when you’re down. I love you too by the way.”
They got back in bed but this time with Amelia’s head on his chest and his strong arms around her just how she liked. This was their life and they were together.
