Chapter 24: Glowing Father
When the OB resident on call, Dr. Morno, reviewed Amelia's chart, there was no doubt that the low BP readings and dehydration were indeed serious enough to warrant an overnight stay. The resident was also concerned about Amelia being home alone. Knowing Amelia was Dr. Hunt's wife and that Dr. Hunt wanted her admitted made the decision crystal clear.
The next morning, after a couple meals and some fluids, Amelia was feeling much better. The dehydration was under control and the anti-nausea meds were her new best friend. Her BP, while still low, had improved to 95/64.
Around 7:00am, Annalisa Wakefield, the OB/GYN on Amelia's case, was rounding the floor with her residents. Annalisa was in her late 30s and was new to Grey-Sloan. She held a sub-specialty designation as a Perinatologist (working with at-risk pregnancies) and was Board Certified. Amelia liked her presence and manner immediately.
"Dr. Shepherd-Hunt?" Dr. Wakefield confirmed as she entered the room and extended her hand.
Amelia smiled and shook Annalisa's hand, "Yes. Amelia's fine."
"Nice to meet you, Amelia. I'm Annalisa Wakefield. I understand both you and your husband are doctors here at the hospital," Dr. Wakefield stated. "Is he here now?"
Amelia sighed and grinned, "It's a bit of a long story. He is in Canada handling a family emergency."
Annalisa caught Amelia's eyes and looked directly at her. With sincerity, she offered, "I'm so sorry to hear that." After holding her gaze compassionately for a few seconds, Dr. Wakefield grasped Amelia's hand and asked softly, "How are you holding up?" Once Amelia reassured the doctor she was fine, Annalisa turned to last night's resident for a summary, "Dr. Morno?"
Dr. Morno, a competent and confident 3rd year resident, had already spoken extensively to Owen earlier in the morning. The young doctor was intimidated to be caring for the Chief of Surgery's wife and the hospital's Chief of Neurosurgery. He tried to mask his anxiety as he offered, "Dr. Shepherd-Hunt came to the ER yesterday after a week of persistent vomiting and exhaustion. Dr. Derek Shepherd performed the initial workup and called OB to consult. When I arrived in the ER, pregnancy had been confirmed. Appendix and gallbladder issues had been ruled out, and an IV with 10mg Reglan was underway. Dr. Shepherd was transferred up here and had a restful night. BP has improved from 88/60 to 95/64."
Dr. Wakefield nodded and asked one of the interns, "Casey, how would you proceed?"
Having already studied Amelia's chart, Casey was glad to be called upon, "The blood tests and urinalysis ordered by Dr. Shepherd were comprehensive. No concerns were noted in the results. At Dr. Hunt's request, a glucose screening was also performed, and results were acceptable."
Looking down at her tablet, Dr. Wakefield asked Amelia, "Dr. Shepherd examined you? Isn't he a neurosurgeon? Were there neurological concerns when you arrived?"
Amelia grinned sheepishly, "No, there were big brother concerns. He's my older brother and he invited himself onto the case."
"Ah," Dr. Wakefield responded with a knowing smile. "Casey, why would a glucose test be unwarranted at this point in the pregnancy?"
Casey reported, "The possibilities of gestational diabetes do not arise until the third trimester when the mother's body experiences further stress and is more challenged in balancing sugars."
"Right," Dr. Wakefield affirmed without looking up from her tablet as she reviewed some notes, "And, Stevenson, why might a glucose test be warranted?"
"If the patient were facing surgery, was over 45, or had a family history of diabetes," the intern reported.
"You've got a solid group of interns and residents there, Doctor," Amelia commented with a smile.
Dr. Wakefield smiled back, "Thank you." She turned back to Casey and asked, "Given the parameters, Casey, I'm going to push you here. Why did you order the glucose testing?"
"Well, ma'am, quite honestly because the Chief of Surgery called me and insisted," Casey admitted.
Chuckling, Dr. Wakefield turned to Stevenson and suggested, "You might want to add that to your list of warranted reasons, Stevenson." Annalisa turned back to Amelia and shared, "I plan to keep an eye on your blood pressure. Once it seems stable, we can consider sending you home."
Just after 7:00pm, having driven directly from Victoria, Owen arrived at the hospital holding Bronwyn on his hip and holding Oliver's hand. Finley followed alongside him. When Owen came through the main doors, he spotted Karev flipping through a Sports Illustrated in the lobby and introduced him to Oliver and Finley. Looking pleadingly at Alex, Owen asked if the boys could stay with him for a few minutes. Alex, having just finished his shift, was waiting for Jo to clock out an hour later. Alex was happy to help and relieved to have something to do.
"I'm Dr. Karev," Alex offered to Bronwyn, who was holding tightly to Owen, "Do you want to come with me and your brothers? I know where the best donuts in the hospital are."
Bronwyn buried her head in Owen's chest, keeping one eye peeking at Alex. Owen mumbled and grinned, "She's a little slow to warm up. I've got her."
Alex moved a half step closer, winked, and whispered to Bronwyn, "It's ok. I'll still swipe a donut for you." He lifted his eyebrows and nodded his head as he grinned at her. The edges of Bronwyn's lips moved upward as her eyes joined her mouth in a smile. Turning back to Owen, Alex observed, "She really resembles you, Chief."
"Pretty uncanny, isn't it?" Owen echoed. Owen patted her back and claimed, "She's my girl."
Bronwyn pulled on Owen's collar and turned to Alex, explaining, "Uncle Owen's my new daddy."
"You're a lucky kid. He's my boss and he's a good guy," Alex declared.
"Daddy?" Bronwyn said to Owen.
"Yeah?" Owen responded.
She leaned up to his ear and whispered loudly, "Can I go with the donut doctor too?"
Owen smiled and chuckled, "Donut Doctor…that just might stick. Sure, Bronwyn, you can go too. You're going to have to walk, though."
Alex made his arm into a muscle pose and told Bronwyn, "I think I'm strong enough to carry you. If my arms get tired, you can ride on my back."
"I want to do that!" Bronwyn celebrated as she reached out for Alex.
Owen spoke to Alex with gratitude and sincerity, "Thanks, Karev." Alex nodded as they set out. Oliver was already asking Alex which sports he liked, and Finley was boasting about being on a soccer team. Bronwyn held on to Alex's neck and shoulders like a baby koala bear holding onto its Mama, her red curls bouncing with every step Alex took.
Grabbing the elevator to head to OB, Owen stepped on and nodded at Callie who was already on the elevator. "Chief, you're here. Welcome back," Callie greeted him.
Owen responded, "Looks like the hospital is still in one piece. Can I thank you for that?"
"Oh, God, no," Torres teased, "I tried my best to screw it up while I had the chance but Shepherd and Kepner kept us all in line." Owen chuckled as Callie asked, "So…three kids, huh? Instant family? Wow."
His eyes lighting up with the pride and enthusiasm of a new father, Owen turned to look at Callie and shared, "It's a pretty amazing surprise." He ran his hand through his hair and added, "And Amelia's pregnant. I'm guessing that's already well known around here."
"Actually, I had no idea. I haven't heard about that. I just knew she'd been out sick all week," Torres said.
Surprised, Owen explained, "Bad morning sickness and low BP."
"That sucks," Callie sympathized. The door to the elevator opened on the OB floor. Owen nodded a goodbye as Callie added, "Hey, take care of yourself with all this." Owen turned and smiled, then continued down the hall.
When he approached Amelia's doorway, he saw that she was sound asleep. Owen leaned on the doorframe for a few minutes, just gazing at her. Dr. Wakefield, not having met Owen yet, stepped up and nudged softly, "Go on in, you can wake her."
Owen turned around, puzzled that someone would say that to him at GSMH. He caught Wakefield's eye and extended his hand, "I'm Owen Hunt. Chief of Surgery. I'm Amelia's husband."
"Of course, Dr. Hunt," Annalisa responded feeling like an idiot. She shook his hand and introduced herself, "Annalisa Wakefield. I'm the new Perinatologist."
Looking both relieved and concerned at the same time, Owen confirmed, "Right. I remember Dr. Herman mentioning you'd be coming on. Welcome. Sorry I couldn't be present to greet you when you arrived."
"I hear you've been in Canada," Annalisa shared.
Owen half-laughed and half-sighed, "My cousin passed away in a car accident. Amelia and I now have three kids: three, seven, and eleven. And a fourth on the way," he said motioning toward Amelia.
"Big changes." Annalisa offered a summary of Amelia's current state, "She's doing well. BP was very low when she arrived. It's been steadily increasing and was 97/65 at last check. The Reglan has helped tremendously – she's responded well to it and is eating again. She appears to be 7 weeks along. There's been some bleeding since conception – enough to cause her to think she wasn't pregnant but not enough for me to be too concerned. She's doing well."
"Do you plan to perform an ultrasound to determine the cause of the bleeding?" Owen asked.
"Since all other indications are positive and I'm not seeing any other risk factors, I was not planning to do so. If you would feel more comfortable having one done, we can certainly arrange it," Annalisa explained.
Owen nodded seriously and clarified, "You mentioned you are a perinatologist?"
"Correct," Annalisa confirmed.
Owen furrowed his brow and stared at her with concern, "Is there a reason she's on your case load? I mean, I know her age is a factor, but she isn't high risk other than that."
Annalisa smiled reassuringly, "I happened to be the OB on call. Given her age, she's remained on my service. Of course, if you'd prefer a doctor you know better…"
"No, no, not at all. Thank you, though," Owen stammered. "I was simply concerned there were risks that weren't on my radar."
"Owen," Amelia called out, "Leave the poor doctor alone and let her do her job."
Owen beamed and turned toward his wife, "Hey! You're awake!" He walked over with a spring in his step and kissed her, then embraced her tightly. "I hated being away from you during all this." He closed his eyes peacefully as he held her and kissed her cheek. Then he stepped back and smiled widely, "Mia! We're having a baby!"
"Crazy, huh?" Amelia said as she flashed a smile and popped her eyebrows up. Owen kissed her again, first on the lips, then the cheek, then her forehead. Amelia inquired, peering behind Owen with a look of confusion, "You… um… already lost the kids?"
Owen laughed and sat on the side of Amelia's bed. "I ran into Karev and he was waiting for Wilson to clock out. He's got them."
Amelia nodded and looked up to the ceiling, pointing the inside edges of her eyebrows toward her nose, "Karev?"
"He's more harmless than he appears," Owen defended.
Amelia's expression shifted to a smile as she ran her fingers through Owen's hair, whispering, "I'm glad you're home."
Looking down at Amelia's belly, then back up at her face, Owen observed, "That nanny idea we talked about, we're really going to need one."
"Good thing we bought the place we did – she can have the boat house," Amelia mused. The two locked gazes and burst into laughter. They knew they were in for the ride of their lives.