Chapter 10

A/N: Alison's dream is changing and Amelia is finally here to wake her up. I was so happy to write that. And the Jean family is here. There's a lot of family love in this chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for reading.

Amelia couldn't fall asleep for hours. Her mind was constantly replaying the conversation she and Alison had, while her heart was overflown with emotions. Through her life she had known love, she loved and she was loved back. But the feeling she felt in those moments was inexplicable. Profound, pure, selfless and instant love.

Thinking back of her 'Hurricane Amelia days' she couldn't imagine herself being a parent, but now she could finally say that those days and that person were ancient history. She was still a mess sometimes. There was no denying that. But a lot has changed. Before, she was considered just an addict and the black-sheep of her family. But now, she was recovering addict and a pretty badass neurosurgeon. She was even taking over Derek's service by being the head of neuro.

Her love life was a mess, though. She felt very bad for leaving James in LA, but Seattle did her good. She was more calm and focused, at least before she got a little reminder that her past was still a huge part of her. Luckily, this part of her past, even though very painful for her, wasn't all that dark. It gave her hope. Better said, SHE gave her hope. And now, besides all those roles she had in this world, there has been one more that needed to be written on the list. She was a mother.

Even though she was really tired and sleepy there was no way she could fall asleep and let herself miss something. She wasn't there for 18 years and what better time to start compensating for everything she missed then right now.

For the most part of the night Alison was relaxed and in a deep sleep. Poor thing was so exhausted and her body needed the rest, just like her mind needed the time to process. Hours passed and she didn't even move a finger from Amelia's embrace.
As the sun's rays began to pierce through the window Amelia could feel Alison tensing up in her sleep. She was dreaming that same old dream, but a little bit different this time.

She was little and her mom was tucking her in bed, reading her a story and kissing her goodnight. And then she was heading to the door to leave the room when little Alison asked her not to go. She never liked the dark and falling asleep alone and her mom never left her side before she was asleep. But this time her mom told her that she was sorry, but she had to go. Little Alison started crying for her, begging her not go, not to leave her alone. She was afraid.

The dream turned into a nightmare she was always facing, but not before she was awake and back in the real world.

After few minutes, Amelia could feel something was wrong. Alison wasn't relaxed and peaceful anymore. She was clenching and holding onto Amelia like she was fighting for her own dear life. Then the tears came, a lot of them. Amelia felt the fear in Alison, as she started begging – ''Don't go. Pleaseeee. Don't leave me alone. I'm scared.'' – she sobbed – ''Don't...why...pleasee...come back...Don't leave me...!''

Amelia could assume that Alison was calling and crying for her in the dream, so she pulled her closer. ''I'm here, baby. It's okay. I'm not leaving. Shhhh...shhh...Don't cry. I'm here. You're not alone...''

Alison calmed a little, but then she started crying again, even more. That nightmare seemed too real. Then she felt someone shaking her and calling for her.

''Ali, wake up. Wake up, sweety. It's okay. It's just a dream. Calm down. It's okay.'' – Amelia saw she wasn't still completely awake and continued with a loving voice – ''I'm here, baby. I'm not leaving. Calm down. It's okay. Shhh...shhh...shhh...''

Alison opened her eyes, afraid and confused. She didn't know where she was and what happened, in the first moment. But Amelia's voice calmed her down a bit. She wasn't alone. Amelia was there. For the first time in her life she didn't fall asleep alone and she didn't wake up alone. Amelia was holding her tight, kissing her forehead, while she was trying to catch a breath.

They stayed like that for some time, 'till Alison's tears were all gone. The silence was very soothing, but Alison felt like she owed an explanation about what happened.

''Since I can remember I've had this dream in which I'm little and you tuck me in bed, read to me, kiss me and stay by my side until I fall asleep'' – Alison started with a shaky voice – '' I always loved the dream, but hated waking up to reality. This time the dream was different, because at the end of it you left. I was scared and started crying. And I guess that's when you woke me up.'' – she finished, still leaning her head on Amelia's chest and not looking up at her.

Amelia swallowed hard. It wasn't easy to hear that.
''I am glad I was able to calm you.'' – she whispered – ''And that I was here this time.''

Before Alison could say anything, Amelia's pager started buzzing. She was paged to the ER.
She sighed, angry she had to go when there was so much left unsaid between them.
''I'm sorry. I have to go.''

Alison got up. She felt kind of akward standing there and looking Amelia in the eyes, but she said – ''It's okay. Really.'' – then added – ''I guess we both need some space to think about everything. I know I do.''

Amelia started changing back into her scrubs and said – ''My shift ends around 4pm. When are you coming in?''

''I'm starting at 3pm and finishing the next morning.''

''I have a day off tomorrow, so...we can meet if you'd like?'' – Amelia asked.

''That would be okay, I guess.''

''Great then'' – Amelia wrote her phone number on a piece of paper she found on the table – ''Here's my number. Call me whenever you want and I'll pick you up.''

''Okay, I will.'' – Alison said, still feeling very akward.
Amelia kissed her on the cheek fast and was already at the door when Alison asked – ''Does anyone know?''

In that moment Amelia felt the akwardness too.
''Noone here. Not yet, at least. But we'll talk about it later. That sounds good?''
Alison nodded and Amelia rushed through the door.

After Amelia left, Alison decided that it was time to finally call her family.
Seconds later, the skype call was connecting and she saw David, Nana and Isabella on the screen smiling. She grinned back at them.
''Hi guys. It's sooooo good to see you.''

''Ouu Ali, honey, you look so tired. Did you eat anything?'' – Nana couldn't help herself. She had to worry about everything.

''Don't worry, Nana. I'm heading to breakfast after the call.'' – Alison smiled and Nana seemed happy with the response.

''Tell us everything. How was your shift? Did you do something cool?'' – Bella was excited like always.

''I diiiiid. I worked in the ER. Terrible car crash happened. There was a lot of victims. I helped when the neurosurgeon had to open the boy's scull. My task was to suction the blood. It was soo cool and adrenaline hit me...And I was terrified and excited all at once.''

''Woooooow, that sounds so cool, Ali.'' – Bella looked actually impressed – ''You're like a real doctor now.''

''I, actually, am a real doctor, Bella.'' – Alison chuckled – ''How are you, David? You're quiet.''

''I'm just waiting for my turn. You women are always so chatty.'' – David smiled – ''I'm fine, busy like always. How are you? You haven't mentioned Amelia Shepherd, yet. Did you meet her?''

Alison stopped for a second, not knowing what to say or where to start. David, Nana and Bella looking at her, waiting.
''The neurosurgeon I helped...That was her. So yeah, we met. And yesterday when the boy woke up I talked to him and said something...that's when she figured out who I was.''

The three of them seemed a bit shocked, but two more faces joined the conversation and inetrrupted the story, but Alison didn't mind. She was glad they did.
''Heeey Nate. Heey Ashley.'' – Alison smiled widely again.

''Well, hi there, you. Long time no see.'' – Nate said.

''I miss you, little sis'.'' – Ashley shouted from the kitchen – ''Be the best...and you know what I always say...''

''I know, I know...I will kick some ass.'' – Alison laughed – ''Miss you too.''

''Watch your mouth, young lady!'' – Nana jumped in.

''Uppps, sorry Nana. It sliped.'' – Alison was still laughing.

Nana just shook her head, when David continued – ''And did you two talk?''

Alison sighed – ''We did. Last night. I cried a lot and I was really angry at first. It was quite a mess. I ran from her, but she came after me and hugged me. We both cried. Then she walked me to the hotel and I asked her to stay, so she did. She was paged to the ER half an hour ago.''

Four faces on the screen weren't smiling anymore. They were worried. Alison's story left them speechless. Lucas came in the right moment.

''How do you feel? Are you okay?'' – Lucas broke the akward silence.

Alison didn't know the answer to that question herself yet. It was still very confusing.
''I guess I am. I don't know. I haven't got the time to think about everything that happened yet.''

After that the conversation was back on track. Everyone talking over each other. It sounded chaotic, but it made Alison very happy to hear them all.

''Was she good to you?'' – David asked.

''Ouu she better be good to you or she'll have to deal with me!'' – Nana said.

''Is she smart? Pretty?'' – Bella and Ashley were curious.

''She was great with me and she's a great neurosurgeon. I really look a lot like her. And now I know where my sarcasm comes from '' – Alison smirked.

They all laughed and the conversation went on for about half an hour. Before they finished, Alison promised to call again as soon as she can. And of course, she had to promise Nana she would eat regularly. When she turned off the skype, she felt much lighter and happier. Then her stomach reminded her that she hasn't eaten since yesterday, so she went out for breakfast.

Even though her day started with a nightmare, everything after that was great. She was still confused about her situation with Amelia and she had a lot of questions, but after last night and this morning she knew she'll have the time to ask anything. She was even thinking about praying again. Well, times were definetely changing.