Chapter 47: The Couples' Frustrations

January 22

Emma stepped out of Amelia's room calmly and let out a deep sigh in the hallway. She walked toward the nurses' station and asked, "I need to make a call. Is there someplace quiet where I'm not likely to be interrupted?" The LVN sitting at the desk suggested a sofa against a window near rooms that were seldom occupied. She described the location and Emma thanked her as she began to walk to her temporary oasis to re-center.

Taking in slow, deep breaths and closing her eyes, Emma leaned her head against the back of the couch and attempted to convince herself that she was fine. She thought to herself, Maybe I won't have to face him again. Oh, God, I hope Annalisa is back before they have this baby. He's still so good looking and the way he tended to her when he first came in…holy hell. Those blue eyes. His gentleness. Leaning his forehead onto hers. His game was already great, and he's obviously stepped it up. CRAP! STOP thinking about him like that. He's a patient's husband. That's it. A patient's husband."

As Emma repeated the litany silently in her head, she heard a couple footsteps as someone cleared his or her throat. The person began to speak. "Thank. You. Truly. You were a consummate professional in there." She knew the voice immediately – the very second Owen began to speak.

Before opening her eyes to engage, Emma went around one last time, He's a patient's husband, that's it. Just another husband of a patient. Offering her best serene smile, Emma haltingly sputtered, "Uhhh… sure. No… problem."

"Did something go wrong with my wife?" Owen inquired.

"No. Why would you think that?" Emma responded with a puzzled expression.

Sitting down next to her with only a couple inches between them, Owen chuckled softly, "Because you're out here with your eyes closed and your head tilted back taking deep yoga breaths." He patted her on the knee then awkwardly withdrew his hand and placed it in his lap.

"Just a long day, that's all. It's tough to cover for someone when your own schedule is packed," she responded unconvincingly. After shrugging and looking at Owen, Emma lied and offered an explanation, "I'm just a little tired and wanted a few minutes. Everything is fine."

Owen clearly did not believe her and proposed a bit tentatively, "How about if we step into that room? It's kind of an unofficial lounge and has a fully stocked fridge."

Emma stood up and followed Owen into the room. The door closed automatically behind them. Emma sat down on the couch as Owen leaned into the fridge. "What would you like?" he called out.

"What do you have?" Emma asked, not really caring about his answer as she stared at his ass.

"A bunch of different sodas, bottled water, one of those Starbucks bottled mocha things, and a Kiwi Strawberry Snapple," Owen described chuckling at the variety and randomness.

Emma smiled and said, "I'll take the Starbucks mocha thing." After a quick pause, she added, "Unless you'd like it."

Owen opened a bottled water and tilted it into his mouth. After gulping down half the bottle in one drink, he told her, "I'm good with water." He walked over to Emma and sat down close to her again as he handed her the Starbucks drink. She twisted away as she opened the drink, then came back to center. She sat sipping the Frappuccino and looking directly ahead. She was terrified to look at Owen, knowing full well her mantras had not helped in the least. Owen looked at her with his thoughtful puppy dog eyes and admitted softly, "It's great to see you, Em." He didn't move his hands or touch her at all, but his gaze remained on her as she shifted her head and looked at the floor.

With an uncomfortable shuffle and a half-laugh/half-sigh, Emma confessed, "I can't do this, Owen. I can't."

Acting casual, Owen responded, "Do what?"

"This. This catching up and listening to your gorgeous voice and seeing your deep, caring eyes. I can't do this, and you shouldn't either," Emma expressed regretting half her words as soon as she said them.

Casting his eyes onto the floor, Owen gently placed a hand on her knee. He responded with a hint of a whine, "I meant it. It is great to see you. My only agenda in sitting down with you was to hear an update. That's it."

Emma placed her hand on top of his, uttering softly, "I'm ok. I miss you, but I'm ok."

Neither one said anything as they stared into each other's eyes. Simultaneously, they both edged toward the other gradually. Their lips were just inches apart when she closed her eyes and tilted her head. She anticipated his next move based on their history: he would wrap his hand around the base of her head and the back of her neck as he brought her the rest of the way to his lips. He closed his eyes as he put his hand onto her shoulder and paused.

As if he'd been hit by lightning, Owen abruptly shifted his plan and gave her a robust bear hug. He held her for 30 seconds and then patted her back before leaning away.

They locked eyes again as Owen stood up and repeated softly, "Really, it's great seeing you. Thanks for taking such great care of my wife. Now, if you'll excuse me…" Emma sat alone on the couch. She was frozen and stunned.

Owen stepped out and leaned against the wall wondering what the hell almost happened. After a few deep breaths, he grabbed his phone and began walking toward the Attendings' Lounge.

"Hey, it's me," Owen began the call.

Amelia, still angry about the growing list of topics the couple needed to discuss, spouted, "Hello, 'me.'"

Owen cast his eyes toward the ceiling. He felt as if a giant A had been attached to his lab coat – the male version of Hester Prynne. Before facing Amelia, he knew he needed some time alone. He feared that she'd be able to read his face the second he stepped in the room. As he stumbled over his words, his voice sounded different than normal, "I spilled coffee on my shirt. I'm going to go take a shower and change into scrubs. Are you ok with Oliver by yourself or is he climbing the walls?"

"Yes and yes," Amelia shared dryly.

"I could come get him," Owen assured her as he instantly thought to himself, Dammit. There's no coffee on my shirt. I can't go get him. Oh, please say you've got him, Aims. Please.

"Owen, really, I'm on it," she affirmed.

He arrived at the Attendings' Lounge and hung up his coat as he balanced his phone between his ear and shoulder. After concluding the call, he walked over to grab a pair of scrubs and a towel. He spotted a stray cup of coffee on the table by the couch. Owen grabbed it and, with hesitation, poured some of it on his shirt before beginning to unbutton the shirt on his way to the showers.

The almost too-hot water of the shower poured over him as he closed his eyes and stood beneath the spray. What the hell did I almost do? I love my wife. Yeah, we're pissed at each other. Well…she's really pissed at me and that makes me frustrated with her. But, still… She's carrying our baby. The pregnancy has been a huge professional and physical sacrifice for her and what did I almost do? I almost kissed Emma. What a schmuck. I'm not sure I would have stopped at a kiss. That's what scares me. Terrifies me. What the hell? Is it because I haven't had sex in eons or because I still care for Emma? Come to think of it, I haven't thought about Em in months, though. Sex… I think about that all the time. Yeah, that's it. I almost crossed the line because it's just been too long since Aims and I have been able to have sex. The good news about today is that I stopped myself. That means I'm loyal. I stepped away politely from what was probably a sure thing. I did the right thing.

After convincing himself that he had actually been wise and full of integrity rather than a cheating scum, Owen turned off the shower and dried of. He threw on the scrubs and dried his hair as best as he could with the towel. Now he was fresh, clean, and ready to face Amelia with confidence.

Owen dialed her cell as he headed over to her room. She answered his call right away, "Hi."

"Hey," Owen responded. "I'm on my way over there. Do you need anything? Can I stop at the coffee cart or cafeteria for you?"

"No thanks. I'm good," Amelia replied. "Oh, while I've got you on the phone…"

"What's up?" he inquired.

"Arizona just came by and acted like it was an accident that we got the substitute doctor. Something about a list getting copied wrong or something. I'm not sure I buy her story. Do you think I pissed Dr. Marley off somehow? I don't want people going around the hospital saying the Chief's wife is a bitch as a patient."

Owen sighed with endearment, "Amelia, I'm sure it had nothing to do with you. Arizona performed your in utero surgery and delivered Ella. You and I both know that she's the type of doctor who wants to see our case all the way through."

"I guess you're right," Amelia quipped as she lowered her brows and narrowed her eyes. "It just felt kind of...contrived. It was off. Just weird. So I called Addie and left a message asking her to fly up and take over."

"Amelia, you're overthinking everything," Owen declared clearly. "And I'm going to tell you that again in about 5 seconds when I walk through your door." He opened the door and smirked. After quickly scanning the room, Owen noticed Oliver wasn't anywhere to be seen, "Where's Oliver?"

"I called Lynne to come get him. He was laying on me and felt warm. I buzzed the nurse and we realized he had a fever," Amelia disclosed.

As Owen listened to Amelia's answer, he picked up the baby and lost himself in the wonder of his little girl. "Crap, that's not good for you or Ella."

"I'm not too worried. It was only 99.4. Even so, I thought he'd be more comfortable at home. I told Lynne she could set him up in our bed so he could watch TV," Amelia shared.

Owen watched Amelia as she spoke. A copious outpouring of love flowed through his body. He was so relieved that he pulled away from Emma, but he still felt horribly guilty. As he smiled gently at Amelia, Owen admitted, "I really hate this tension that's grown between us in the last day and a half. I apologize for being so quick to argue."

"Me too. I've been a reactive, hormonal bitch. I'm sorry," Amelia echoed as she pursed her lips and looked at her incredible husband. Flawed, yes, but still incredible, nonetheless.

"Can we come snuggle Mommy since Oliver's spot was vacated?" Owen asked on his and Ella's behalf.

Amelia's lips turned upward at each end as she adjusted herself and the bed to more of a sitting position. Reaching her arms out for the baby, she mentioned, "I'm pretty sure she's going to want to eat soon. Why don't you help me keep her cozy and warm until then?"

Owen handed her the baby and then pushed off his shoes. He lifted the sheet and blanket and joined Amelia under them. Putting his arm around her shoulder as they both gazed at the baby, Owen sighed, "I hate when we argue."

"I do too," Amelia agreed.

"Maybe now is a good time to talk all this out," suggested Owen.

After a 15 second pause, Amelia kidded, "If you'd just consistently agree with me, the majority of the issues would be resolved, you know?"

Grinning and very gently tickling her under her chin, Owen leaned closer and kissed his wife. One kiss led to another and that kiss led to an extended kiss that seemed to have no beginning or ending. The baby started fussing and Amelia pulled away to begin feeding her. Owen, although experiencing a renewed sense of sexual frustration, gazed at the scene with wonder.

"If your mother was here, she'd tell us we'd better get used to being interrupted by all these kids," Owen chuckled. Amelia laughed and agreed. As Ella fed, the two discussed the situation with Oliver and the text war. They still had not reached an agreement on the spanking in case of danger topic, but they both listened thoughtfully to the other as each stance was explained. Lastly, they talked about the tense and contrived conversation they had in front of Emma.

At the mention of Emma, who Owen referred to by first name again, Amelia prodded, "I won't be angry if you slept with her, Owen. I'm guessing that if you did, it happened a long time ago. Why are you being so weird about her?" Owen thought to himself, Oh, Amelia, thanks for the benefit of the doubt that I almost didn't deserve.

Owen's heart sank as he quickly sorted out what to say. He was relieved she couldn't see her face as he lay beside her. Leaning his head against hers, he inadvertently let out an audible sigh and explained, "You're right. We dated just before Cristina left."

"And?" Amelia prompted.

"And what?" Owen said softly. "And we were pretty serious for a while." Owen paused and then added, "At one point, we were planning to buy a house together, start a family, the whole deal. But it just… wasn't right…I broke it off."

Sighing as if the RomCom she was watching had a surprise ending, Amelia inquired sadly, "What happened?"

Owen kissed Amelia's head and slipped out of the bed to put the baby back in her warmer. He grinned at his wife and responded, "I guess the universe knew you were on your way to me."

When he climbed back onto the bed, he resumed kissing Amelia and began caressing her body. With pregnancy weight, form-changing baby bumps, and uneven breasts full of milk, Amelia had been feeling anything but sexy. However, as Owen kissed her and gently nuzzled her with such obvious love, she felt like the sexiest woman on Earth. As they kissed and held one another, Amelia came to the conclusion that at least 50% of their recent arguments were due to sexual frustration. Much to his joyous surprise, Amelia's hands found their way into Owen's scrubs, helping to release some of the pent-up energy inside him.

Afterward, as Owen's hand rested atop Asha, Amelia wiggled her back into Owen's chest. They talked softly and snuggled for over an hour, before falling asleep intertwined with one another. For the first time in quite a while, Owen spent the night beside her on the hospital bed. He thought to himself that he wouldn't trade his messed up life for anything in the world.

Now, that Owen's ex drama has passed, what are your thoughts?