The Time Has Come
Pain- that was all Amelia Sheperd could feel. Horrendous excruciating pain. The worst pain she ever felt in her entire life, which was really saying something, considering she has been through a lot more pain in her life compared to others.
Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she moaned again, making as animal like noise that she didn't even realize escaped from her own mouth.
Sitting beside her, her husband Owen Hunt could only watch helplessly and hold his wife's hand as she writhed and moaned in pain. He never felt this helpless before, not even when he watched his comrades get shot in war.
' You ok Mia? Want me to get you more icechips?' Owen tried, his latest feeble attempt to give her even the slighest relief from her pain, even though he knew it wouldn't help.
She shook her head in response. All she wanted was for the baby to just make its freakin' way out of her already.
' I just want her to come out already' she finally whispered when the latest contraction subsided.
' I know...it'll be over soon and we'll get to hold our little girl' Owen smiled, still holding her hand.
This statement somehow snapped something inside of her.
' How are you so sure that it'll be over soon?! You don't even know what this is like...OUCH' she scrunched her face again as another contraction hit her.'
'Owen this hurts...so much' tears were now flowing freely down her cheeks.
Amelia usually isn't the type to show her emotions and weaknesses in front of others...this is a new vulnerable side of her that he has never seen before.
Owen entwined her hands in his, really wishing now that he could exchange places with her and take away all her pain.
Arizona had given her some pitocin to speed up her labour an hour ago, as she was already almost a week overdue, and her labour progressed in full force right after that. And because of that, there had been no time to give her epidural or Pethidine. She was during this naturally, and feeling the full brunt of the labour experience.
Suddenly an idea came to him. He could distract her.
' Remember when we first found out about her?'
She finally smiled, showing her dimples again, the dimples which always melted his heart and which he silently wished their daughter would inherit.
It was their wedding night. The last guests had finally felt, Meredith had went to tuck her children to bed, and Amelia's family had finally retired to their hotel rooms.
Honestly, after Amelia confessed to him that she was late during their dance, he couldn't concentrate on anything else anymore, and kept on stepping on her feet while they were dancing. He could feel the excitement brewing inside of him, but he didn't want to get his hopes raised up just yet, in case it turned out to be negative. But now that there was this glimpse of hope lit up inside him, nothing could extinguish it. He has always wanted to be a father, and there was no one one he wanted to be a parent with.
They both sat beside the bathtub in their honeymoon suite, holding hands and holding their breaths. It was the longest 5 minutes they both ever experienced, every second seemed like minutes, and each minute seemed like hours.
Both of them had their minds filled with possibilities- of a mini Owen running around kicking a ball, or a mini Amelia twirling around giggling, showing her dimples. This life was what they both wanted so badly, and now it was almost within their reach.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the timer on Amelia's phone beeped, causing them both to jump.
' You look' Amelia said, her shaking hands switching off the beeper.
' No , you look, you're the one who is going to be affected more...'
'What are you talking about? This involves the both of us...' Amelia finally snatched one of the pregnancy tests up from the sink to look at it. She stared and stared at the big bold letters which stared back at her. 'PREGNANT'.
'Mia...' Owen was starting to get worried as she didn't buldge from her spot, tears starting to roll down her face.
He picked up the second test, with the exact same words staring up at him.
By then, tears were rolling down his face too, and he embraced her into a tight hug.
Their lives were about to change forever.
But for that night, they stayed up all night celebrating new life and new hope.
She squeezed his hand suddenly, taking him out of his dream state. The memory had somehow relieved her of her pain a bit.
'Do you remember the first time we heard her heartbeat?' she smiled at him.
A few days later, they were both at their first antenatal appointment, both having sneaked up to the Obs floor during their lunch breaks. Arizona Robbins had happily agreed to be their obstetrician in charge, although she hasn't been in the Obs field for really that long but they trusted her more than the other Obstetricians.
Owen and Amelia both held hands, holding their breaths like they had done a few days ago.
Amelia winced a little as the cold gel was spread on her.
'Alright...let me see...' Arizona was talking to herself as she manipulated the probe on Amelia's still flat stomach. Finally, a tiny blob appeared on the screen.
'Ah ha... There it is!' Arizona exclaimed, as she zoomed in on the blob.
' Right here is your baby, hands and feet not fully formed yet, but it's definitely there...
It's moving...and I see a heartbeat' Arizona said cheerfully, as she proceeded on to do the measurements.
By then, tears were pooling in Amelia's eyes as Owen squeezed her hand.
' The crown rump length is about 11cm, meaning you're about... 7 weeks along. You said your last menstrual period was 27th July, which just about corresponds to the ultrasound reading. So we can calculate your EDD from your LMP...' said Arizona, pulling out the obstetric calender. 'Which means, your EDD should be around 2nd July next year' said Arizona, in a businesslike but tender manner.
' Do you want to hear the heartbeat?' Arizona asked as both parents nodded.
Soon, the comforting sound of a heartbeat filled the entire room, causing both parents to sigh in collective relief.
' Do you remember when we found out she is a girl?' Owen was determined to distract his wife for as long as possible.
Amelia nodded, tears filling her eyes once more.
It was 5th months into her pregnancy, which means it was finally time for them to know the gender of their baby. Arizona had promised them that they could find out this visit. Not that they cared about the gender, as it really didn't matter for them, but it was nice to find out whether they should decorate their nursery with pink or blue, and whether they should buy pink or blue onesies.
' Please tell me that the baby still has ten fingers and ten toes and a head'. Amelia said nervously as Arizona manipulated the wand around her now swollen belly.
Arizona let out a small laugh as she manipulated the wand. 'Yes, I can tell you that baby has all members of their body still intact, and that the heartbeat seems strong and that baby is moving around a lot'. Amelia heaved a sigh of relief.
' Now for the exciting part' she zoomed down in between the baby's legs'. She took a bit longer than usual, as if trying to search for something, which she couldn't seem to find.
Both Amelia and Owen were starting to get anxious.
' Is there anything wrong with my baby?' Amelia asked, grabbing hold of Arizona's arm... ' Please tell me if something is wrong, don't hide it from us.'
Arizona shook her hand vigorously, suddenly being reminded of April and Jackson and their baby Samuel.
' Nope, everything seems to be fine' Arizona smiled reassuringly at them. ' It's just that I am certain that baby is a girl... I can't see any boy parts.'
' A girl' Amelia whispered to herself, as if unable to believe it. A girl, a little girl who was part of her and Owen. They were going to be parents to a little girl...and she wondered whether she would look more like her mother or father. A girl who would grow up loving barbies , dance and princess parties, or not. Part of her was relieved it was not a boy, she couldn't imagine even looking at him if it was a boy, and not remembering of her unicorn baby.
Owen smiled., a smile so wide it almost cracked open his jaw. He was now picturing a little girl running around, a miniature version of Amelia, with brunette hair, blue eyes and dimples. Their little girl had him wrapped up in her little fingers already and she was only 5 months in utero.
At the present time, they both now shared a smile at the memory. They were both now so excited to meet their little girl.
But the moment was interrupted as Amelia again felt a strong contraction coming and doubled over in pain.
Just then, Arizona entered the birthing suite, donned up in her pink scrubs.
' Just going to check on you ok?' she said comfortingly as she saw Amelia in pain.
She walked towards the CTG monitor and her face fell.
'What's wrong?' Owen asked seeing the abrupt change in Arizona's facial expression.
' I see several deep decelerations in the CTG... Which isn't good. Let me examine her first' Arizona doned her gloves quickly.
' Amelia you're only 6 cm dilated, there is thick meconium and the CTG is showing decelerations...as you know , this is not good, we need to prep you for an emergency C-section ok?' Arizona squeezed Amelia's hand as she again groaned in pain.
' Can you page Karev for me? I need him to standby for the baby as there is thick meconium' Arizona turned to the nurse, who nodded. ' And prepare the consent forms for them to sign as well!' Arizona was now in a businesslike mode.
Amelia and Owen exchanged a glance as he squeeze her hand tightly. He was nervous but determined not to show it. It was almost time to meet their baby. He just really hoped that everything would go on smoothly.
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