Five months ago

Owen's POV

Amelia was gone. She had left the hospital and nobody heard anything from her. I couldn't help but be concerned. I had looked everywhere; in the hospital, at Mer's – I had even called her mother, but nothing. Finally, I went to our house. Her drawers were empty, and her suitcase was gone. She was gone. I didn't know whether she would ever return, but I needed her. I had to find her.

I had to find her.

I decided to go to the airport.

Outside it was raining heavily. As I drove, my vision started to blur…I was crying. I was terrified of not being able to be with her, not being able to see our baby being born or even growing up. Suddenly I saw a bright light coming straight towards me, then a roar.

Everything went black

It was as if I had fallen asleep, but I couldn't wake up. What had happened? Why couldn't I move, or speak, or see? I heard only silence around me. After a while I heard an ambulance screaming towards me, getting louder and louder with every second. I felt so weak…right after, I think I passed out.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but I began to feel something again. There were noises around me…no, not a noise. A voice. I could detect that voice in the midst of a thousand. It was Amelia's. She was back, and she was with me. I could hear her crying and it broke my heart. I wanted to hold her, to talk to her, to kiss her and let her know I was there with her, but I couldn't. It was as if I was imprisoned inside my own body. Inside me I was screaming my love for her, but no-one could ever hear me.

Days passed, but this situation remained the same. I saw her every day: crying on my chest, caressing me, talking to me. She was speaking about our child and how he was growing up well, and he was healthy. My favorite moment was when she took my hand and rested it on her belly. Feeling my son move made me the happiest man in the world, even though no-one could see it.

Amelia's POV

The day had started like any other. At the moment I was in the ninth month of my pregnancy and the hospital had become my home. I didn't care about sleeping rough, or the horrible hospital food, or even of having an uncomfortable shower – for me, the only important thing was that I was with him.

"Ouch!"

Since a few days previously, my Braxton Hick's had been out in full force. At first I thought it was labour, but Arizona had checked and it wasn't time yet. They had been intensifying since this morning, however. Maybe it was time? I didn't want this moment to arrive. Of course, I was so excited to meet my baby, but I needed Owen to be awake to see the birth of his son. I hadn't had any time to prepare the nursery in our home, or to buy the essentials for a new born – I had been with his father day and night.

"Ouch!"

I began to cry. The pain was getting unbearable.

"Please love…wake up. I can't do this without you! I can't give birth alone again. I need you to be there to make me crush your hand when the contractions come on, and to pass me ice cubes to suck on…OUCH!"

Nothing.

Owen made no movement.

I was so angry at myself. It was all my fault he wasn't able to witness the best moment of his life…

"Arghhhhhh!" God they were getting so strong. "Owen, you have to wake up now. You need to wake up!" I started shaking his body in a desperate attempt to wake him.

Arizona's POV

It had become a habit.

Every morning, after the round of visits, I would bring some food to Owen's room for Amelia to eat. This way I would be sure that she was eating at least once a day. When I finally got to Owen's room that morning, I looked inside and saw Amelia crying. I decided to wait a while before entering, but then I saw her shaking Owen and it broke my heart to see her like that. Suddenly, she grasped hold of her belly and doubled over on herself. She was definitely having a contraction.

"Amelia! Are you having a contraction?"

"Yes, I think so…but it might just be Braxton Hicks. I don't know!" she cried out to me desperately.

"Okay, let's go and check you."

"No! I want to stay here. He has to wake up…I can't give birth without him."

"Amelia, we don't even know if you're going to give birth right now…"

"Please Arizona, just check my cervix here."

"…Okay…but if you are in labour I am taking you to Obstetrics. We need to think about your baby right now."

"All right."

Amelia's POV

Arizona checked my cervix…I was in labour. I was in labour alone, again. Our child would be born in the next 24 hours, without his father there.

I wasn't fully dilated yet, but Arizona insisted I went to Obstetrics to track the labour. I really didn't want leave that room. Though he couldn't talk, Owen was still there, and when I would have to leave that room it all became too apparent that I was actually alone.

"Amelia, we need to go now. Your contractions are getting closer and we have to connect you to the cardiac monitor."

"Okay. Just a moment, please. Can you wait outside?"

"Of course. I'll be right outside."

I just needed time alone with my husband for a while.

"Honey, it's time. Our boy is coming. Next time I see you, you'll be a daddy…I really wanted you to be there with me, but of course life doesn't go as we expect it. I don't know if I can raise this child without you, so please try to wake up…come back to us. We are right here waiting for you. We always will be."

I kissed him gently on the lips before I left his room, Arizona waiting outside for me with a wheelchair.

"Arizona. The chair really isn't necessary, I can walk."

Right on cue, I had another contraction. It really hurt this time…maybe it was better to sit?

"So I've prepared a room. As soon as you arrive I can check you again to see the progress of the labour. I don't think we have spoken about this yet, but do you want an epidural?"

"No…no epidural and no meds."

She stopped wheeling me and stood in front of me to look into my eyes.

"Amelia, why do you want to suffer so much? You know that you have cardiac problems even after your ablation."

"I'm a woman…I can do it. I've done it before and I can do it again."

"Okay…I'm going to page Cristina to check on your heart."

"No. Call Maggie. I know Cristina performed the ablation but I can't have her there at the birth of my son."

"Ok."

Shortly after my waters broke. The pain got more and more intense. After a few hours, I heard voices outside of the door of my room. I knew they were all out there, but the only person I wanted next to me was not.

Meredith's POV

I had just finished a round of visits when I received a call from Arizona – Amelia was in labour. I ran to the Obs floor and found Maggie, Richard and Arizona all in front of her room.

"How is she?" I asked to Arizona.

"It's going to be alright…she doesn't want drugs, so it may take a while."

"I wasn't talking about the labour…"

"How do you think she's doing? She's heartbroken. She was praying Owen would be there even until the last minute."

"I don't blame her." Said Richard.

"Can I come in?" I asked.

I feel guilty. Guilty for her pain. I couldn't stand outside the door just waiting and doing nothing.

"Okay, but try not to make it worse for her."

I entered the room and Amelia was in bed, breathing through each contraction.

"What are you doing here?" She said, wincing at the pain that was beginning to ease off.

"I wanted to see how you were doing. I want to be next to you, Amelia. You need someone with you."

"How can you think that I would want you anywhere near me after what you have done? You was the one who invited Cristina here. You've almost ruined my marriage!"

"I didn't bring her here, that was completely her choice…but look, that's not what matters now. Right now, all that matters is the health of you and your baby."

"…my child doesn't have a father, does that not count?!"

"Sure…but Owen is alive. He will wake up, I'm sure."

I saw her tighten her body for another contraction, so I walked over and put my hand on her.

"My nephew is about to be born…let me be a good aunt." I said. She looked at me and smiled for the first time in a very long time. I didn't actually know if Owen would ever wake up again, but right now that was what Amelia needed to hear.

Cristina's POV

I had visited Owen's room after I learned Amelia was in labour. I had wanted to visit him thousands of times in those past few months, but I didn't dare go near that room whilst Amelia was there, and she was always there. Now felt like the right time to visit, so I sat down in the chair next to him and took his warm hand in mine.

"Owen, I'm so sorry that you can't see your dream come true. You're about to become a father, and she is going to give you everything I couldn't, but you can't be there. I've been checking on her, you know, all these months whilst she's been glued to this chair. She loves you so much, perhaps more than I ever will. In these past few months I've realized that your place is right here, with Amelia and your baby. Not with me."

Just then I felt Owen's hand twitch. I looked up and watched as he finally opened his eyes. He was awake.

Owen's POV

My wife was in labour, and I couldn't be with her. I wanted to wake up. Cristina was right: my place was with Amelia and our baby boy. I had to wake up.

I felt something change…my body felt lighter and lighter, as if the chains holding me back were finally getting released. I was able to move a finger, and then I could open my eyes. My throat and lips were so dry, talking was going to be a challenge.

"I NEED SOME HELP IN HERE!" I heard Cristina screaming.

"A…Am…Amelia."

"What are you trying to say? Are you in pain? Can you repeat it?" she said, handing me a glass of water. The moisture made it so much easier to talk.

"Am…elia."

"Amelia. Ok! She can't come now…she's in labour. You're about to become a father, Owen."

I kept repeating her name. All I wanted to do was see her and let her know how hard I fought for her. I had finally won and she needed to know.

"Owen we have to do a full check-up…you have been unconscious for a long time."

But I didn't want to wait any longer. "Please. You have to tell her. She can't be there thinking she is alone…she needs to know I am here!"

"Ok, ok…I'll call her." She said, taking the phone from her pocket.

"Hey Mer, are you with Amelia?"

Amelia's POV

"Amelia, when you feel you have to push, then push. You ready?"

"I…DON'T…WANT…TO!" I said, screaming.

"Amelia, you have to! If you don't push you are going to put both yourself and your baby in danger."

"I want Owen! He has to be here…he can't be in a coma when his son is about to be born!"

I was desperate. I was exhausted. I needed him.

I needed him to tell me I could do it.

Just as I was set to give up, Meredith's phone rang.

"Cristina? Hey, what's up? I'm a little bust at the moment…wait…what? Really?! Are you sure?!" She sounded so excited, whilst I was screaming and petrified of raising this boy alone. "Amelia…Amelia, there's someone who wants to talk to you."

I took the phone from Mer and put it to my ear, dreading what Cristina was going to say to me.

"Hello..?"

"…Hi love."

It was him.

It was actually him. It was his voice. Maybe I was dreaming, but even so I burst into tears, even more so than before.

"Owen? Is that really you?"

"Yes sweetie, it's me! I'm so sorry…"

"I'm sorry too…aaaaaaahhhh!"

"Love, listen to me. I know you can do this. You are the strongest person I know."

"I can't…I'm so tired."

"Just a little bit longer and then it will be over and you'll have our baby in your arms, and then you can come back here to me and we can be together forever. I know you can do this."

His voice gave me the strength I needed. I pushed as hard as I could. Once, twice, three times. My energy had plummeted, and I had no more strength left in me, when I finally heard the cry.

"Here we go…here's your little girl!"

Arizona took my little miracle and placed her on my chest. A girl. As surprises had gone recently, this was definitely my favorite. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. On the other side of the phone I could hear Owen sobbing. I couldn't wait to see him, and for him to see our daughter. She was simply perfect.

"Owen, she is so perfect. She has your beautiful hair color."

I was in a state of euphoria. I had never been so happy, I had everything I wanted.

"So…what are you going to call her?" Asked Mer.

"We need to see Owen first."

They took her away to do the check up and clean her.

"Amelia, you really should rest." Said Arizona.

"No, I need to be there for when Owen sees our baby. I can handle it."

I was absolutely exhausted, but I had to hold on just a little longer. The thought of seeing Owen, and being able to embrace him again, made all that fatigue disappear. I sat in a wheelchair and they gave me my baby. Every time I looked at her she got more and more beautiful. On the way to Owen's room, she fell asleep on my chest. I couldn't stop smiling as I stared at her.

We finally got to Owen's room after the longest journey around the hospital, and I saw him straight away. Our eyes met as I got up and sat beside him on the bed. We sealed our reunion with a kiss, and it was so good to kiss him and feel him reciprocate it - for the longest 5 months I had been kissing motionless lips. His eyes fell on our little girl, and they instantly filled with tears. He wasn't yet strong enough to hold her, but I laid her on his chest and she fell blissfully asleep. I had never seen that look of pure love and joy in his eyes before, but I knew I had exactly the same expression on my face.

"Thank you." He whispered in my ear, and kissed me gently on the temple of my head. He couldn't stop staring at our daughter, our eyes not leaving her for even a second.

"So, this little princess needs a name. What are we going to call her?" Owen asked.

"What do you think of Abigail?" I suggested. During the pregnancy, I read dozens of baby name books and the significance of this name struck me. "It means 'Father's joy'…do you like it?"

"Really? Then it's perfect. She and her mother are my joy."

We kissed again, and I never wanted that moment to end.

"Amelia, you gave me all you could give me."