Lying down in the on-call room, I attempted to sort out this mess of a day. It had started out perfect, exactly what Owen and I needed. With the stress of his new job, and Meredith loosing Zola, we'd become distracted. Both of us had silently been waiting for this night, knowing that we could finally be together with no interruptions. Neither of us had expected a surprise visit from my ex-boyfriend, causing an unavoidable distraction.
Shielding my eyes from the light seeping in through the window, my thoughts ran laps through my mind. Not only had I been avoiding Colin all day, but I still had nothing to give to Owen for our anniversary. Through this whole Colin thing, he has been nothing but supportive and calm. But if I let the cardio god distract me enough from not getting him a present, he's going to be hurt.
I, Cristina Yang am not a romantic person. Romance is not my thing, and being dreamy is definitely not my thing either. Passionate, sure. Loving, sometimes. But romantic, never. Owen knows that, and embraces that, and he's never minded. The love we have for each other isn't one that needs to be shoved down everyone's throats, obvious for everyone to see. Usually he wouldn't mind my lack of creativity when it comes to anniversary presents, but after a day like today he deserved it. I wanted to think of something good.
Interrupting my thoughts, someone pushes the on-call room door open, not bothering to knock. I'm about to snap at them to find their own room, until I realize it's Callie. The exhaustion is obvious on her face, and she looks as though she's about to pass out. "Hey you look like hell," I murmer, as she lays down in the bed adjacent from me. "Sofia's got a cold, so she spent most of last night crying and sniffling. It was so pitiful, and Arizona's got a cold now too. I'm about pass out," she grumbled.
"Hey, you and Arizona are always super romantic and lovey-dovey, right?" I asked her, suddenly excited. Callie snorted, and rolled over to face me. "Let me guess, you have no idea what to get Owen for your anniversary," she laughs, knowing exactly what I'm up too. To most people, I'm extremely unpredictable, due to the fact I don't usually open up to anyone. Yet for the few people I do open up too, they always know what I'm up to.
"How did you know?" I mumbled, rubbing my temples. "Well I'm sure you're distracted with all the Colin Marlow business, and you never plan ahead with gifts. I know you Cristina, you're not the romantic type," she rolls her eyes. "Well I could've told you that, and I'm desperate. I need something good for Owen, he deserves it after the day he's been having," I groaned.
Callie sighed, then looked me in the eyes. "Think about what Owen means to you, what role he plays in your life. Imagine where you'd be without him, and it'll put everything into perspective," she offers, before falling asleep. Laying back, I think about her words. Well obviously he's my husband, that's his role. Yet husband doesn't seem to convey everything he is to me. He's my best friend, my confidante. He's my protector, he makes me feel safe. He taught me to love and to take risks, as well as how to be a better doctor. Since saying those things out loud just sounds crazy, I need to somehow find a gift to convey all those feelings. Racking my brain, I suddenly realize the perfect gift.
Sliding out of the bed, I shove my feet back into my tennis shoes. Carefully I close the door of the on-call room behind me, making sure not to wake Callie. Deftly, I avoided Colin who was rounding the corner to speak with me. Heading into the locker room, I quickly shrugged out of my scrubs. Balling them up, I tossed them into my cubby. Slipping into my clothes, I grabbed my purse and headed towards the parking lot. Glancing at my watch, I realized I only had an hour to get ready and retrieve Owen's present. Pulling out of the parking lot, I made my way towards the firehouse.
Five minutes before eight, I pulled back into Owen's parking spot. Carefully, I stepped out of the truck making sure not to fall in my heels. I smiled as I looked to the sky, it was clear just like we wanted it to be. Smoothing my dress, I grabbed the small box with Owen's present inside and hid it in the glove compartment. Locking the truck behind me I made my way to the lobby.
As the doors opened, I noticed Owen sitting in one of the chairs, waiting for me. Grinning, I walked towards him and reached for his hand. "Hello," I murmered, entwining his fingers with mine. "Hi Love," he kissed my temple before wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Let's go to dinner," he led my though the sliding doors and out to the truck.
Clinking our glasses together, we kissed over our candlelight dinner. Owen had arranged to have the top of the lighthouse to ourselves. He'd cooked, and set up everything. "This is amazing," I gushed, reaching for his hand over the table. Owen had really outdone himself, and I silently thanked Callie for helping me to find him a present worthy of him. "Really it's nothing," Owen shrugged modestly, but I could tell he was pleased. Reaching down, I retrieved the small box from my purse.
"Present time," I smiled as I handed him the small box. "Cristina, you didn't have to," he grinned, taking it from me. Nimbly, his fingers unwrapped the parcel. Lifting up the lid, the looked inside. He held up the silver watch that had once belonged to my father. "Cristina, this is a beautiful watch. I hope you didn't spend too much money on it," I leaned over to kiss my cheek. Smiling to myself, I kissed him back. "I didn't spend a dime, and it comes with a story," I told him, motioning for him to follow me to the blanket he'd set up on the ground. Nodding, he sat down and pulled me into his arms, "Do share," he whispered into my hair.
Breathing in, I held his hand in mine and began. "My dad, he and I were really close. He would teach me, he was so smart. We'd have discussions about everything from the solar systems to harry potter. He protected me, and made me feel safe. After he died, I was so afraid to get close to someone like that, because they'd leave me. Then Burke happened, and it just increased my fear of abandonment. I trusted him, and he left me. After that, I never thought I'd ever be ready to commit, to love someone, until I met you Owen. It wasn't until I met you that I realized that it was okay to get close to someone, because if they truly love you they won't leave you. I knew you wouldn't leave me, because you loved me. I knew that it was alright to want a future with you. That watch belonged to my father. I kept it to remind me of everything that my dad meant to me. All that he was, a teacher, a confidante, a protector. I'll always miss my dad, but I don't need his watch anymore. I don't need it because you're my protector. You make me feel safe. You're my teacher and my best friend. And I love you, so much," I smiled and kissed him deeply.
Crushing me to his chest, he kissed my hair. "You are absolutely amazing, and I love you so much Cristina," he kissed me again. "Happy anniversary Owen," I told him. "Happy anniversary love," he responded, wrapping me tighter into his arms.