Chapter 40: Beginning to Look Like Christmas
After a two day stay in the hospital, Amelia was more than ready to return home. She did not have any true contractions during her hospital stay, although Braxton Hicks contractions seemed to be a frequent visitor to her womb. With Madeline engaged, Amelia now waddled as the baby's head poised itself in a birth-ready position. The pregnancy had progressed to the point when no position was comfortable for long. Amelia found herself as squirmy as Oliver in her quest to experience some comfort.
After Amelia had calmed down about Carolyn's visit, she discovered that having her mother around was actually quite wonderful. Carolyn assumed the role as House Manager, so to speak, coordinating with Lynne, providing Amelia's blood pressure readings to the hospital, and assisting in any way she was able. In the short time she had been in Seattle, she had grown to adore her three adopted grandchildren. She was frequently down on the floor playing Barbies, Legos, or some creative gathering of GI Joes, dinosaurs, and Polly Pockets on Hot Wheels in a shared mission to conquer the world. When the floor became too uncomfortable, she would move to the table to play cards or board games. Amelia mused to Owen one evening that Carolyn had usually been far too busy to play with the kids when Amelia was a child. As she watched the sound effects, laughter, and joy between Carolyn and the kids, Amelia was both amused and put out by this playful woman who had seemed to take over her mother.
One afternoon, Lynne had taken the kids to a movie which gave Carolyn and Amelia time alone. Amelia shared, "Mom, you really didn't need to come. I appreciate all you're doing, but I'm worried we are taking advantage of your good graces."
"Enough of that nonsense, Amelia Cheyenne," Carolyn declared with insistence. "This is what mothers do. Take notes because you will be very busy in 15-20 years offering this same kind of help to your collection of children."
Amelia chuckled and shook her head, "Mom! Collection?"
"Sure. Why not? A collection, a troop, a melee, herd, flock…whatever suits you," Carolyn teased with a clever grin.
Owen came through the front door just as Carolyn was listing her terms and responded, "Do you ladies know the true definition for melee?" Both women shook their heads as Owen laughed and explained, "It's a military term describing disorganized close combat with little central control."
Amelia nodded her head firmly once and grinned playfully, "Then melee it is. That fits us, huh, O?"
Laughing, Owen leaned over, kissed his wife and hugged his mother-in-law. He responded, "I wish it wasn't true. Where is our melee anyway?"
"Lynne took them to a movie," Carolyn explained. "It's so quiet, isn't it? Soak it in. Your house won't be this quiet for many years." Owen and Amelia smirked at each other. Since Carolyn arrived, she insisted in pointing out how much their lives would change with the birth of the twins. Having raised five children of her own, there was little the couple could do but nod and smile.
"I'm thrilled to see you, but what brings you home so early?" Amelia asked her husband.
"Actually," Owen confessed, "your mother and I have plans to go Christmas shopping."
"You do, huh?" Amelia attempted to confirm. "For the first time in months, I am actually going to be left alone, unsupervised, and unattended?"
Owen smirked at her smart alec observation, noting, "Actually, I asked Wilson and Edwards to come over here and study. All the residents are studying this week, so I figured they could do that at our house as easily as anywhere else."
Amelia lifted one side of her mouth and shrugged her shoulders in resignation, "Hmmmpphh."
"Oh, it's for your own safety, Mela. Knock that off," Carolyn insisted as if Amelia was 7.
Amelia invited Jo and Stephanie to use the upstairs office, assuring them that she would call their cell phones if she needed anything. Meanwhile, Amelia stretched out on the couch and watched the wind move the water. The time alone was restorative and gave her an opportunity to take stock of her pregnancy, the days to come, and her first year of marriage.
Life had become such an enjoyable yet frenetic whirlwind since she came to Seattle. Marrying Owen had been both the most terrifying and wonderful experience in her life. To lean into the depth of love she had for him scared Amelia to her very core. Occasionally, she caught herself being afraid that Owen would join the ranks of all the men who had abruptly left her life.
As she curled up in blankets and dozed off, Amelia dreamed about her father. Still as young as he was the day he died, he doted on her and encouraged her to add up the change he set in front of her. Each time she responded correctly; he gave her the coins. When she was mistaken, he would take a coin or two from the collection and explain that he hadn't intended to set down such a difficult problem in the first place. By the end of their game, Amelia had collected ample change to buy candy and some sort of treat for herself and for her dad.
She dreamed about how her dad carried her proudly even though she was old enough to walk. While he adored all of his children, little Amy was his special baby. At the grocery store, the state fair, or any venue, Amelia would simply tug on his shirt and look up at her daddy in order to be scooped up into his strong arms. His arms always felt so safe and secure as she nestled into her daddy. One of his goals in life seemed to be protecting her. Amelia's dream recounted memories of how her dad would lay on the couch in such a way that he hid Amelia from Carolyn when Amelia was in trouble with her mother. After the memories played, she – all grown up - and her dad shared a conversation over a cup of coffee.
Over the years, her sisters and brother had described dreams they had about their father, but Amelia had never experienced one. On this day, nurturing two babies in her womb, Amelia's father seemed to reach down to her and look in her eyes offering a message meant just for his baby girl. In her dream, Amelia recalled precious memories and encountered her father reaching into her soul and offering her his love, admiration, and encouragement. He insisted that Amelia's babies would thrive after their births and would embody their mother's tenacity and determination.
When Lynne and the kids returned from the movie, Lynne ushered them upstairs and urged them to be quiet so Amelia could continue to sleep. As she walked up the stairway, Lynne glanced down at Amelia and noticed she was smiling as she slept. It was a beautiful and rare site.
As if by magic, just as her dad sadly told her he had to go, Amelia awoke as she heard Owen and Carolyn walk inside. They were laughing and sharing stories about their shopping adventures. Wiping tears from her eyes, Amelia inquired about the haul and wanted to know what they had chosen for each child. Owen cocked his head with a happy grin as he gazed at his wife, aware that something profound was on her mind. She smiled and mouthed, "Later," reassuring him that she would share her reason for smiling and crying at another time.
Owen excused himself to go change into sweats and Carolyn sat down next to Amelia on the sofa. She offered a side hug and looked deeply in her daughter's eyes. As she brushed a piece of Amelia's hair behind her ear, she said softly, "I wish your father was here to see you so beautiful, happy, and pregnant. He would be so enthralled with who you are and who you've become." Such absolute tenderness was not necessarily Carolyn's forte – between her father's visit in her dream and her mother's sweet words, Amelia's heart felt as though it might burst from all the love.
Returning downstairs, Owen was obviously holding in a belly full of laughter. He pulled his mother-in-law and wife into a nearby room, closed the door and shared a video he had just shot on his phone. In the video, Oliver and Bronwyn were in the playroom playing house. Oliver was Amelia and Bronwyn was Owen. Having stuck a ball under his shirt, Oliver waddled around the room complaining that his back hurt and that he had to pee again. Bronwyn approached Oliver, kissed his head, and put her arm around him, saying in a low voice meant to imitate Owen, "Oh, sweetie, do you need some water? Did you eat today? What can I get you?" In response, Oliver sighed heavily and rubbed his bump on the outside of his shirt, declaring, "I'm not hungry. I need to lay down. Let me sleep." Bronwyn fretted and created a bed of blankets as Oliver lay down and closed his eyes.
"That has to be one of the funniest videos I have ever seen," Amelia roared with laughter. "I especially love the 'let me sleep' line!" Carolyn and Owen recounted their favorite portions and then the trio watched the video again and laughed heartily.
After watching the video multiple times, Amelia, Carolyn, and Owen stepped out of the room and saw Oliver at the top of the stairs. His balloon baby was still under his shirt. He burst with excitement, asking, "Hey, Mom, can we take one of those sideways pregnant lady pictures together?" Bronwyn came running down the hall and wanted to be in the picture too. As Owen arranged the shot, Bron lifted her shirt just at the tummy and rested her little hand on her non-existent baby bump. Oliver put one hand on his back as if to brace himself and one hand on top of the balloon, and Amelia, not needing any props, simply stood where she was told and grinned.
Those days surrounding Christmas were some of the happiest days in the Shepherd-Hunt family. Amelia, while uncomfortable and hugely pregnant, was not experiencing any problems. Carolyn was wrapping up her time with the melee, and Owen was giddy about some sort of surprise he had in store.
On Christmas morning, Bronwyn was thrilled to unwrap magnetic dress up dolls, a new iSpy book, and two "sew your own best friend" dolls (one representing each baby sister). Oliver, the consummate Lego man received more Legos and a Lego idea book, Choose Your Own Adventure books, and the promise of the Karate lessons he had begged to receive. Finley, just about to turn 12, was in the awkward stage between little kid and teen. Since he was a talented athlete, sports related gifts were the best option. He received a glow in the dark soccer ball and a new baseball mitt. He also unwrapped an enormous drawing set that included quality paper and an assortment of pens, pencils, and chalks. As far as Finley was concerned, this was the best Christmas ever.
Owen smiled sweetly at his wife as he handed her a small box that contained a special bracelet. The bracelet was adorned with charms representing her vocation, their marriage, and each of their three children. Over the past month, Owen had managed to sneak each of the kids out of the house. The kids chose charms meant to represent themselves. Bronwyn had chosen a princess crown, Oliver had picked a stick figure runner embossed on a round charm, and Finley had selected a soccer ball. The kids had also convinced Owen to add a heart charm representing the family's love. Amelia's eyes glazed with tears as she was told about the symbolism of each charm. She thanked Owen profusely and surprised him by handing him a small wrapped gift.
"When were you able to go shopping?" he asked with playful suspicion.
Amelia grinned proudly, proclaiming, "I had some helpful elves who were willing to assist."
Still stunned because he had not expected anything, Owen slowly unwrapped the gift as he glanced down at his wife. He opened the box and discovered a wide gold band with a brushed finish. Engraved inside the ring was the date of their marriage. Since their wedding had been impromptu, Amelia did not have a ring for Owen at the ceremony. For quite some time, she had been searching for just the right ring. Owen had assumed she had forgotten about it and didn't have the heart to point out that his ring finger was still naked. As Owen put the perfectly fit ring on his finger, Amelia quipped with a wink, "Now the girls will stop chasing you." Owen set his gaze on Amelia as he displayed a loving smile.
As the kids began playing with their presents, Owen looked at Amelia with a nod. She smiled and nodded her head up and down. Owen stood up and sought everyone's attention for one last surprise. The kids were a bit puzzled because there were no more gifts under the tree.
"Stay right where you are," Owen instructed the kids. He walked over to the door leading to the garage and opened it, announcing, "Meet Simba and Nala." Two beautiful golden retrievers came running in and headed directly for the kids who all screamed with delight. A patient Owen had treated, mentioned that she raised dogs, trained them, and then provided them to families for adoption. Owen and Amelia had chosen the pair months ago and had somehow managed to keep the secret from the kids.
Amelia had explained to Owen the previous week that she was thrilled to have the dogs but was worried about the timing of the adoption. Like a little kid, Owen had promised her that he would fully tend to the dogs and that she wouldn't even know the dogs were there. As Owen rolled around the floor with the kids and the dogs, a lifetime memory of Christmas joy was imprinted in Amelia's brain.