Chapter 39: Sirens and Alarms

28 Weeks Pregnant

Owen rested his head in his hand as his bent elbow bore his weight. He visually soaked in the beauty and state of calm serenity he saw as Amelia laid next to him asleep. He was anxious on this particular morning, hoping to God he had made the right decision.

Amelia had no idea that her mother was on her way to Seattle. Carolyn had called Owen a month or so ago and asked him for his honest impressions about whether or not Amelia was faring well. In responding, Owen paused a little too long. Carolyn interpreted this as a sign. Really, all he was attempting to do in the moment was find the right words to both reassure Carolyn and not piss off Amelia in case his words got back to her Next, Carolyn had spoken to Owen's administrative assistant, Patricia, and shared the details about her visit and flight. His mother-in-law would be arriving, and he would be bringing her home in just a few hours.

"Hey," Owen whispered as he kissed Amelia's ear and nudged her cheek with his nose. Although his quiet words and touch woke her up, Amelia pretended they did not. Owen kissed Amelia's neck and ran his hands over her hair, stating softly, "Wake up, Mia."

Without moving or opening her eyes, Amelia groaned, "What? Why are you waking me up?"

"To say good morning," Owen offered with a chipper tone.

"Is the house on fire?" Amelia asked.

"No," Owen answered as he turned his head to the side and lowered his chin in confusion.

"Is anyone bleeding?" she inquired.

"No," Owen responded with further confusion.

"Then let me sleep. I'm growing babies. It's tough and exhausting work," she explained without moving.

"Amelia," Owen whispered gently as he softly nudged her shoulder. "I really need to talk to you before I leave for the hospital."

Again, without moving or opening her eyes, Amelia responded flatly, "Speak."

Owen chuckled, "Hey, really. Can you turn over and look at me?"

"Can't you just call me later from the hospital and talk to me once I wake up?" she suggested.

Owen sighed audibly, rolled out of bed and headed toward the shower. After shaving, showering and dressing, he attempted to rouse his wife once again. He lay down next to her on her side of the bed, facing her, and kissed her cheeks – first one side, then the other.

Amelia, who had fallen deeply back asleep was not pleased. In response, she let out a noise somewhere between a grumble and a growl before rolling over to face Owen's side of the bed. As kindly as she could muster, she ordered, "I love you but leave me alone. I'll call you later."

Reflexively, Owen put his hands up in front of his shoulders in a sign of surrender. "Okay, I love you. I'm sorry." Crap, he thought to himself, how in the hell am I going to have time to explain Carolyn's visit to her between this morning's Attendings' meeting, reworking the OR board, and checking my post-ops? I have a feeling she's going to be irate when she learns her mom is here.

"Eat up, the remaining doughnuts and fruit will just go in the garbage when we're done here," Owen advised the Attendings as he crossed another topic off his list. "I don't have much left on our agenda. Quick check in on interns and residents – remember they are rounding the half-year mark at the end of next month. Please complete your reviews, go over the reviews with them, and turn the reviews in. I know it seems bureaucratic, but the reviews are extremely helpful to have on hand."

"Do you want the reviews on all the years or just 1st and 5th plus fellows?" Arizona asked dutifully. She was consistently cooperative about turning in her assessments.

Owen nodded and grinned with appreciation, "Thanks for asking. Let's do what we did last year: attendings review 5th years and fellows on their own. 5th years and attendings complete the reviews on interns and 4th years together. 5th years provide a shorter assessment for 2nd and 3rd years and go over their impressions with those residents. Make sense?"

"What's this year's going rate to have the residents prepare their own reviews and run it by us for approval and signature?" Karev inquired, only half-joking. Owen stared back at him blankly while most of the other doctors laughed.

"Last two items," Owen declared, "Barring labor or childbirth, the Christmas party is at my place beginning at 6pm on Friday. Just bring yourselves and your families – the hospital will provide the food and beverages. Let me know if you need directions. Last item, just an FYI, Amelia is beginning her 28th week today." The doctors interrupted Owen's words with applause. Side comments celebrating that she'd keep the twins in utero up to this point and hopefully would do so for a few more weeks were heard.

Owen continued, "Thank you. I wasn't looking for applause, but that was great. Thanks. So…just an FYI – when the girls are born, I plan on taking some time away. Definite details are up in the air and we'll be able to be more specific once the babies are here and their health is assessed. I'll make sure you are all kept informed as details emerge. Thanks to Dr. Webber for agreeing to step in as Interim Chief and to Dr. Kepner for agreeing to step in as Interim Head of Trauma during my absence." Owen began applauding and the other doctors joined in.

"How's Amelia doing, Chief?" Callie asked.

Owen took in a large breath and offered thoughtfully, "Good. She's well. Tired, her back aches, and she's already 45cm, but she's good. We're both thankful that she is still at home. Thanks to everyone for all your support along the way." Owen grinned as he closed his portfolio and handed it to Patricia. Patricia whispered in his ear that she needed to speak with him before he proceeded with his day. Owen nodded and mumbled, "Let's see if anyone approaches me right now then you and I can connect."

As was usually the case after a meeting, a few people approached Owen. Kepner, Robbins and Bailey all exchanged glances and began to walk toward their chief. The three looked at each other awkwardly as Owen raised his eyebrows and asked, "Yes?" Initially, none of the three spoke up. Then, realizing nobody else was speaking, all three began at once.

"One at a time, doctors," Owen insisted as Patricia handed him back his portfolio in case he needed to write notes. "Robbins, go."

"Chief, we know you probably don't want the fuss, but we'd really like to have a baby shower for Amelia," Arizona quipped.

"Sure, we know you already have kids, but these are your first babies," Kepner added with a musical tone near the end of her statement.

Owen paused briefly waiting for Bailey to chime in. When she said nothing, he asked, "Bailey? Your take on this?"

"I'm not up here to talk baby showers, but, yeah, I'll come if there is one," Bailey responded.

"So, what's your issue?" Owen asked Bailey.

"I'm wondering who re-assigning interns and residents at the end of January will be," Miranda shared.

Owen nodded and said, "I'd imagine Richard will do so as Chief. Do you have concerns about assignments?"

"A few," Bailey explained.

Owen looked at her and suggested, "Share them with Webber. I highly doubt I'll still be acting as Chief in six weeks." Bailey nodded and left the room as Arizona calculated Amelia's gestation with the end of January in mind.

"She'll be 34 weeks at the end of January, Dr. Hunt. It is likely she will still be pregnant," Arizona observed and shared.

Owen looked at Arizona blankly, trying to remember why she and Kepner were standing in front of him. As he paused, Patricia interrupted with one of their code sentences, stating, "Dr. Hunt, your conference call has already begun. Do you want to take it in your office?" Distracted, Owen nodded and then glanced at Arizona and April. "Baby shower. That's nice. I have no problem with it. Can you call my wife and arrange details?" Both doctors smiled and nodded before Owen stepped past them on his way to his office.

Patricia walked beside him nearly running to keep up with his long stride. She informed him quietly that Amelia had called during the Attendings' meeting and needed him to return her call as soon as the meeting concluded. Owen stopped and stood still as a hint of concern washed over his face, "Is she ok?"

Patricia grinned reassuringly and explained, "I believe so. She mentioned that Lynne was ill today and wondered if you might be able to bring the children here."

Owen sighed heavily as he resumed walking, "I suppose. I've got a chaotic OR…"

"Already handled, Dr. Hunt," Patricia clarified. "Dr. Kepner is handing the board and Dr. Wilson is already in the process of seeing your post-ops. There are no meetings on your docket for the rest of the day and we have a full staff that can cover your absence. I'll call you if anything arises."

Owen grinned widely and patted Patricia's shoulder, "Thank you, Patricia. I really don't know what I'd do without you. Do you have anything awaiting signature or can I head to my car now?"

"Nothing that cannot wait until tomorrow," Patricia reassured him. Owen turned around toward the Main Lobby. As he walked, he grabbed his cell phone and called Amelia.

"Hey," Amelia answered in a clipped and tense tone.

"What's up?" Owen asked lightly. "I'm on my way home right now. Patricia cleared my day."

"Great. That will give you an opportunity to pick my mother up at the airport," Amelia uttered with tension and frustration. "When were you planning on telling me?"

"Hold on," Owen responded as he unconsciously held his hands up in the surrender position for the second time that morning, "I tried very hard to discuss this with you this morning, Sleeping Beauty."

Amelia's jaw was clenched, and her voice increased in intensity, "I cannot believe you arranged this without telling me."

"I didn't," Owen exclaimed a bit too loudly as he walked in a hospital hallway. He grinned uncomfortably at the staff around him who had overheard his defense.

"Owen Hunt, do not lie to me," Amelia yelled as she grabbed her side and stretched. A sharp pain had just shot through her side and nearly knocked the wind out of her. She hurt like hell, but was too angry at Owen to inform him.

"Settle down, Amelia." Owen suggested a little too forcefully. "She called me awhile back and asked how you were. I hesitated to respond because I was distracted and next thing I knew, she was providing Patricia with her travel details. Honestly."

As if she was breathing in as she was speaking, Amelia muttered, "When will you be home?"

Owen, not really realizing the strangeness in Amelia's voice and still a little perturbed by her fit, snapped, "I'm on my way now. However long it takes to get home from the hospital." He hung up, rolled his eyes, and put his phone in his pocket. Just a few minutes later, his phone began buzzing.

Owen reached for the phone as he let out a big breath and saw that the call was from home. "What?" he snapped.

"Uh…Dad…it's Finley," his oldest son uttered with hesitation, surprised by Owen's angry greeting.

Owen dropped his shoulders and closed his eyes briefly, changing his tone of voice and starting again, "Hey, buddy, what's up? I hear Lynne is sick today."

"Yeah, that's not why I'm calling, though," Finley said with trepidation.

"Ok, you sound a little worried," Owen observed as he reached his car and leaned against it.

In the background, Owen heard Bronwyn yell, "She wants to talk to him!"

"Finley?" Owen asked, "What's going on? Is Mom ok? Is somebody hurt?"

Oliver picked up the bedroom phone for Amelia as he stroked her hair with deep concern. Her sweet boy was very worried. "Dad, it's me, Oliver. I'm sitting next to Mom, here she is," Oliver said in a panic as if his assembled words were all one word.

"Hi," Amelia groaned.

"What's up?" Owen asked as he stood up and ran his hand through his hair, "Are you ok? You don't sound ok? What's going on?"

"I think I'm contracting. The pain is intense. Should I call 911 or wait for you?" Amelia moaned.

Owen took a few deep and slow breaths, "Call 911 and I'm on my way. Has your water broken?" Finley, who was still on the kitchen phone hung up and grabbed a cell phone to dial 911, but neglected to inform anyone in the house. Back at the hospital, Owen jumped into the car and began driving toward home. The call continued on his Bluetooth as he drove.

"No," Amelia wailed.

"How far apart are the contractions?" Owen inquired.

"They're not apart. The pain just began and it's increasing. It hasn't gone away," she sputtered as Oliver rubbed her belly bump and looked at her with apprehension.

"Amelia," Owen instructed as if he were in the ER, "breathe nice and slow. No need to tense up. Breathe…in…and…out. Are you lying down?"

"Uh huh. I can't talk," Amelia sputtered as she handed the phone to Oliver.

"Dad?" Oliver whispered, "Mom's really, really, really hurting. What should we do?"

"Ollie, I'm going to hang up and call 911 then I'll call you right back, ok?" Owen instructed.

"Don't hang up, Dad. I'm scared," Oliver admitted with a shaky voice.

"I know, buddy, I know. Stay next to Mom and get her anything she asks for, ok? I'm almost home," Owen attempted to comfort him as he heard a siren in the background. "Is that an ambulance?"

Oliver looked out the window and said, "There's one of those shorter fire trucks that doesn't spray water and an ambulance. Is it ok to let them in?"

"Absolutely. Stay on the phone with me, Oliver. I want to speak with the one who is in charge," Owen insisted.

Owen heard Oliver answer the door and explain that his mom was upstairs and his dad wanted to speak to whoever was in charge. Ollie added, "He's a doctor. A surgeon." Oliver held the phone up, hoping someone would take it and speak to his dad. In the meantime, one firefighter and one paramedic had raced up the stairs and a paramedic had corralled the kids on the sofa.

One of the fire fighters grasped the phone. He bent down and told Oliver that he had done a great job helping his mom until they arrived and then encouraged him to go sit with his siblings. "This is Lieutenant Perkins," the firefighter announced into the phone.

"Lieutenant, Dr. Owen Hunt, Chief of Surgery and Head of Trauma at Grey-Sloan. I'm on my way home and probably about 5 minutes out. Somebody's with my kids?" Owen asked.

"Yes, sir. One of the paramedics is sitting with them. They are all doing a great job sharing details about your wife's morning. I'm heading up to see your wife right now. I may need to set you down," Lt. Perkins clarified. The Lieutenant entered the Master Bedroom and saw Amelia lying on the bed with a fetal monitor already attached and with leads on and around her heart, chest, and back. "She's conscious, sir and appears to be experiencing some pain. Does your wife have any medication allergies?"

"No. But listen. She has a terbutaline pump in the closet. Push an initial injection of .2 mg and then let it drip at a rate of 10 mcg/minute. Do you have any mag sulfate on hand?"

"We do, but, sir, her breathing is a bit tense. Mag sulfate may not be the best option right now," the lieutenant explained.

"Give her 10 mg of Procardia if she hasn't taken any – the meds are on her bedside table. You can also use your discretion with a dose of Indocin for pain. I'm just pulling into our neighborhood," Owen offered.

"Where is my husband?" Amelia demanded through her pain.

"He's on his way, ma'am. On his way," the paramedic assured her as he set up the terbutaline pump. "We need you to slow your breathing. Slow and steady…slow…and…steady."

"You try carrying twins and see how slow and steady you can breathe," Amelia snapped.

Holding back laughter, the paramedic simply repeated, "Slow and steady, slow and steady."

"Am I dialated? Are the babies on their way?" Amelia asked as the first responders gathered around her.

"We haven't checked, ma'am. Your husband will be here very soon, and we'll proceed based on his orders. We're going to get you onto a gurney and prepare to transport you," the lieutenant offered. "Are you feeling a need to push?"

"No. I just hurt like hell," Amelia screamed in frustration. The men placed her on the gurney and began to strap her in as they arranged her pump.

Meanwhile, Owen came bursting through the front door and the kids ran toward him like a wild herd. He hugged and kissed each of them, reassuring them that everything was going to be fine. Wanting to see Amelia as soon as possible, Owen instructed, "You three need to stay down here. I'll be right back and I'll let you know what's going on." The kids went to the sofa, too afraid to even consider doing anything other than what Owen advised. As he ascended the staircase, Owen called out to Finley, "Fin – call Lynne and explain what's going on and see…" As Owen instructed his son, Lynne, looking pale and tired, came through the door.

"I'm here, Dr. Hunt. I heard the sirens. No worries," Lynne declared as she sat on the sofa with the kids and began conversing with them so they could share their stories.

"Hey…" Owen whispered softly as he approached Amelia and stroked her hair. He kissed her softly on the forehead as one hand felt her baby bump assessing for any unusual problems. She had an incredibly tight spot on Madeline's side, but felt fine on Asha's. Owen adeptly took command over the scene without offending anyone, asking for the stats, the babies' readings, and an update on medications. "We need to transport her. I'll call Grey-Sloan on our way. I'll ride with you." Owen informed the paramedic.

By the time the ambulance had reached the hospital, far too many doctors stood by to receive Amelia. Owen hopped out and grabbed the trauma gown that Kepner held for him in her hands. He ordered, "I'll step out in a minute. Let me give the bullets first. Robbins, Wakefield, Wilson…you're up. The rest of you, thanks for your concern. Stand by. Grey – follow me."

Owen snapped out the bullets and his observations as Arizona and Annalisa rushed Amelia to a trauma room. Arizona called out, "Somebody page Dr. Karev to standby."

Meredith, not needed for actual treatment, remained in the periphery waiting for Owen. As he placed a cannula on Amelia, he bellowed toward Meredith, "I need you to go get Carolyn at the airport and take her to my house. Or delegate it. I don't care. She arrives in an hour. Patricia has the details. Can you just make sure it's handled?" Mer nodded and headed to Owen's office to learn what she'd need to know in order to pick up her mother-in-law.

"Owen, we've got this handled now. We will let you back in, I promise, but I need you to step out while we assess," Arizona stated.

"Aims, will that work for you?" Owen asked his wife gently. She nodded and tried to grin as Owen noticed her pain was beginning to subside. He nodded slowly and responded, "Ok. I'll be just outside."

As Owen emerged into the hallway and tore off his gown, people began to surround him and ask about Amelia. He pursed his lips, looked an intern in the eye and instructed him to have Patricia meet him in the ER. He held up a hand and expressed gratitude, stating, "Thank you for your concern. Right now, I need to be in touch with my children. Dr. Shepherd-Hunt is steady and stable. The anti-labor meds offered at home seem to be working well. Drs. Robbins and Wakefield are with her. Please go back to your posts. The nurses' desk will remain informed for updates."

Owen sat in the room behind the nurses' area and took in 3 or 4 deep breaths as he rested his head in his hands. Richard entered the room and asked calmly, "What can I do?"

"Be me," Owen responded. "I mean here at the hospital. Run the show. If you're able to get in the trauma room and provide an update…"

"Already on it," Webber proclaimed. "Edwards has been assigned solely to be your go-between."

As Richard explained the arrangement, Stephanie entered the room and was trying her best to be focused and calm, "Dr. Hunt, Dr. Shepherd-Hunt is being moved to the Labor and Delivery OR. Contractions have ceased and her pain is minimal, but her doctors want her upstairs in case anything arises. You are welcome to come join her."

"Thank you, Edwards. I'll be right there. I need to call my kids," Owen explained. Owen called his mother and Lynne, arranging for the kids to be brought to the hospital and tended by Debra. He spoke to each child, reassuring them and calming them down, to explain the game plan for the rest of the day.

When he stepped into the Labor and Delivery unit, Annalisa was in the hallway waiting for him. "What's up?" Owen asked eagerly.

"Actually, we don't think she was in labor," Annalisa asserted. "We just completed an initial ultrasound and it appears that Madeline chose to twist herself abruptly into engagement. Her cord is free flowing and functional, no twists or concerns. She's a determined and strong little girl."

"So, the intense pain?" Owen inquired.

"Pretty sure it was a pulled or torn muscle Madeline gave to her mama as she maneuvered her way toward the canal," Annalisa alleged. "Both girls have solid and steady readings, no concerns whatsoever. Arizona is preparing to move Amelia to a private room where we'll keep her monitored."

"Is she at all effaced or dilated?" Owen wondered aloud.

"Surprisingly, no," Annalisa smiled as she led Owen toward the room that Amelia would soon inhabit.

The doctors were able to place Amelia at the end of the hall in a room that was larger and quieter than the others. Owen spread himself out on the sofa and closed his eyes. He focused on his breathing and attempted to replay the day in his head. Without much delay, he fell asleep. About an hour later, Amelia was brought into the room. Her doctors accompanied her and planned to share their game plan with the couple. When Amelia noticed that Owen was asleep, she suggested that they share the news with her and that she would share it with Owen when he awoke.

Annalisa explained that Amelia's ultrasound confirmed a slightly torn muscle in Amelia's side. The doctors believed that the tear occurred as Madeline abruptly moved and engaged. Engagement at this date was not a huge concern but would be monitored over the next day or so. The anti-labor drugs were not harmful to the babies or Amelia even though she had not needed them. Owen had made the correct decision in the moment to advise that course of treatment.

After that summary, Arizona shared that the twins appeared to be healthy and growing at an acceptable rate. Nothing in any of the monitoring appeared to be a concern, but they wanted to keep Amelia at the hospital at least overnight for observation. With slight hesitation, Arizona shared, "Sometimes when something traumatic or dramatic occurs at this stage of pregnancy, the babies take it as a sign to get the heck out. We're going to watch you closely for any signs of labor. We'll figure out next steps in 24 hours."

Amelia sent a text to Finley's phone after her doctors departed, where are you? I'm in a room at the hospital. All is ok. Dad's here.

Finley, who had been playing a handheld game in Owen's office eagerly grabbed his phone when his text tone sounded. He read the text to his grandma and siblings, then asked if they could go see Amelia.

Debra, a perfect grandma who adored the kids, said, "Of course, but check with your mom or dad first. She might not be ready for visitors yet, honey."

Finley sent a text back that stated, We r in Dads office. Can we see you?

Amelia immediately texted back a yes and warned the kids that Owen was sleeping and needed to sleep. They could come to her room as long as they were quiet. A few minutes later, Finley had led the way in navigating toward Amelia's room. He knew the hospital better than his grandma and siblings. Bronwyn peeked through the curtain between the room and the door and lifted her feet further up than necessary as she tiptoed to Amelia. Amelia encouraged Bronwyn and Oliver to climb onto the bed and the three squeezed on it like a litter of kittens. Finley approached and held Amelia's hand as tears formed in his eyes. Amelia lowered her lip slightly as she saw his wet eyes and smiled at her brave son who had called for help.

After covering Owen with a blanket from the room's closet, Evelyn also approached Amelia. She whispered a greeting as she gazed at Owen and shared, "It doesn't matter what age, they are always your babies. He looks just like he did when he would fall asleep on the sofa at home when he was a little boy. He's precious."

Amelia, her arms and hands extended around and on her gathered brood, tearfully nodded in agreement.