Chapter 52: We Have News
February 2
"Oh, my baby boy… What happened to you?!" Amelia exclaimed as she put her hands on her cheeks upon seeing Oliver run toward her hospital bed.
Oliver hugged Amelia with a tight grip and mumbled, "Mommmmyy…I'm not a baby."
Amelia gently pushed Oliver back so he was about 2 feet from her face. She grinned and observed, "You know what? You're 100% right. Tell me about the other guy – does he look worse?"
Giggling, Oliver bit his bottom lip as he smiled. His eyes twinkled as he affirmed proudly, "Much worse. I got him good. I punched his nose, I punched him all over, and I kicked him where it counts.""
Amelia gritted her teeth and spread open her lips looking shocked. She ran her hand through Oliver's already messed up hair proclaimed, "Oliver, I'm both kind of proud of you and kind of angry to know you hurt somebody. Words didn't work?"
Oliver sought Owen's input and quickly glanced at his dad with a stunned impression.
Saving his son from spilling all the details, Owen interjected, "He tried words. Ollie and I finished his school day today with a meeting with his teacher and then one with the teacher and principal. He tried, Aims. He was provoked, but we talked about how there are multiple ways to respond." Owen smiled at his son and wife and gazed up to his right, trying to assure Amelia that all was well.
Amelia grinned and suggested, "You know, Ollie? Dr. Karev told me he was going to be up here to see the girls in about half an hour and guess what?"
Oliver beamed and raised his shoulders, "What?"
"I asked him if he'd bring some ice cream with him and he promised he would," Amelia disclosed as she flashed her eyebrows up and down.
Oliver hugged Amelia again and declared, "You are awesome and so is Dr. Karev. And, actually, so is Dad."
"And so are you," Amelia said as she gently popped a finger on Ollie's nose.
Wanting to give Mom and Son all the time they needed to catch up, Owen kicked back on the sofa as he read through a medical journal. Amelia and Oliver snuggled in her bed as they watched cartoons on TV and waited for Alex and the ice cream. Exhausted from his incredible day, Oliver fell asleep in his mom's arms after only 10 minutes of cartoons.
Amelia motioned to Owen and he sat up, "Yeah? What can I get you, Aims?"
"Come here," Amelia invited with a smile.
Owen stood next to her bed and Amelia reached up to pull him toward her for a kiss that turned into many kisses. "Hmm…that's nice," Owen sighed. Owen kissed her cheeks, her neck, and her ears. When Owen's ear was by her mouth, she whispered, "You know I'm not stupid, right?"
Pulling back with utter confusion, Owen looked at her and nodded, "Right."
"Tell me what really happened at school today," Amelia requested.
Owen explained, "We decided not to tell you." Then he grinned and, just in case Oliver might be listening, mouthed, It's nothing.
February 5
A few nights later Owen was sorting through his briefcase as he sat on his bed. He heard Bronwyn wake up and step out of her bedroom. Not catching Owen's eye, she came to the doorway of the master bedroom and peeked in to discover that Oliver was not already in the room. Without a word, Bronwyn turned around and decided to join Oliver in his bed.
"Oliver," Bronwyn whispered in the loud whisper of a young child, "are you awake?" Oliver did not respond. He was in a deep sleep, having exhausted himself that evening after having a fit. When Owen came home for dinner that night, the plan had been to take Oliver and Finley with him to the hospital that evening. When Owen discovered Oliver's homework wasn't done, he told Oliver that he had to stay home. Laying down the law broke Owen's heart, but it also drove home an important point.
When Bronwyn padded into her brother's room, her little heart broke for him. While Owen and Finley visited Amelia and the babies, Lynne tried to explain why Oliver was in such a foul mood. Bronwyn felt sad for her brother. She crawled up next to her brother and, as she had seen Amelia do numerous times, began stroking his hair to comfort him. She snuggled up to him as she lay her head next to his on the same pillow. Even though she knew he was asleep, Bronwyn began speaking to her brother and offering words of assurance, "I'm sorry you are so sad now, Ollie. I'm sad that you are sad and mad all the time. I miss Mommy too and I want the babies to be home." Bronwyn continued to speak and finally drifted off mid-sentence as she offered her care and compassion to her big brother.
Owen closed his book and turned off his bedside lamp as he strained to hear Bronwyn's sweet words. He drifted off but was awoken about an hour later when he heard giggling and little whispering voices. Slowly, Owen stepped into the hallway and stopped outside Oliver's room.
"Next time, I can do your homework for you, k?" Bronwyn offered.
Oliver giggled and whispered loudly, "Bron, you don't know adding and subtracting. How would you do my homework?"
"Ummmm…I just learneded how to draw flowers better. I could do different colors and make your paper pretty. Your teacher wouldn't know your homework wasn't done 'cause she'd see the pretties, Silly!" Bronwyn reasoned with an up and down tone.
Oliver laughed and pointed out, "That's not how homework is, Bronwyn." Her big brother tickled her as they both giggled.
"Ollie, is school super hard?" Bronwyn asked with trepidation.
"No, not really. But the hardest thing is that you have to follow rules and not talk all the time," Oliver explained as Owen silently chuckled in the hallway.
As the kids resettled themselves and lay side by side on the bed with their hands behind their necks, Bronwyn's tone of voice changed and she asked, "Ollie, do you think Mommy and Daddy will still love us when the babies come home?"
"Yes," Oliver responded with an oh-my-goodness-Bronwyn tone.
"I meaneded because we didn't start in this mommy's tummy, but they did," Bronwyn continued with a hint of fear.
"Bronwyn, don't be ridiculous. Mom and Dad love us just like our other mom and dad did…" Oliver pointed out.
"I'm not der-rick-a-less," Bronwyn protested, even though she had no idea what it meant.
After a bit of silence hung in the air, Oliver asked, "Do you remember Mommy? Our other one?"
"Sometimes. I liked her hugs and kisses and I know we lookeded the same. I me-rem-ber her laugh," Bronwyn responded. "Do you ever me-rem-ber our other daddy? I never gotted to knowd him."
"Finley does, but I don't. I was pretty little when he died – Mommy told me I was 2. I know he was a hero. He was a fireman and he was trying to save people all the time. When I get scared, I pretend like he is inside me making me brave," Oliver shared with nonchalance. Owen sat down in the hallway, listening in with wonder to the sacred conversation.
Finley woke up thirsty and began to head to the kitchen. When he stepped into the hallway, he paused and said, "Dad?"
Owen sat up a bit straighter and put his finger to his lips as he patted the floor next to him.
"What?" Finley whispered.
"Listen," Owen encouraged.
Bronwyn said with surprise, "YOU get scared, Ollie? You?"
"Well, not really because Daddy is there with me, so it all goes away," Oliver shared in a matter of fact tone.
"What is he talking about?" Finley asked Owen.
"Your dad," Owen grinned as he put his arm around Finley.
"So, what would it do if I pretendeded that Mommy was with me?" Bronwyn asked with fascination.
"Maybe you could ask her to help you remember to laugh even when you are sad, Bron," Oliver suggested.
Finley looked up at Owen with a tender smile in his eyes and leaned his head on Owen's shoulder as he whispered, "Thanks for inviting me to hear that."
February 10
On the following Wednesday, Owen left the hospital just before 5pm absolutely beaming. He picked Finley up at soccer on his way home and told him that he had big news to share with the family at dinner. Finley tried to pry the information out of Owen but struck out.
They drove up in Owen's truck as Lynne, Oliver and Bronwyn arrived in the Buick. "Hey!" Oliver celebrated, "We all got home at the same time! There's Dad."
Bronwyn began to unbuckle herself before Lynne had kept to a complete stop in the garage. "Aaahhhhh, Bronwyn…" Lynne warned, "what are you doing back there?"
Bronwyn immediately stopped and eeked out quickly, "Nothing."
Lynne stopped the car, put it in park and looked back at Bronwyn with a warning. "Hmmm…ok then. Oliver, you can hop out, honey. Bronwyn, I'll come around and unbuckle you."
Oliver softly popped Bronwyn in the back of the head as he walked by her and exited from the backseat. He whispered, "You are sooooo in trouble!" Oliver proceeded out the side door and ran toward Owen.
"Bronwyn, I think you may have forgotten that you are not supposed to touch your buckles. Do you remember the rule?" Lynne was saying as Oliver ran up to hug his dad. Bronwyn recited the rule and reluctantly apologized as Lynne shooed her toward the door.
"Hey, buddy, how was your day?" Owen asked as he knelt down to hug Oliver.
"My day was really nice," Oliver said. "The only thing that coulda made it better would be to see Mommy."
Owen patted Oliver's shoulder and eagerly shared, "I've got some great news to share when we get inside and guess who it's about?"
The two entered the house as Oliver looked at Owen with anticipation and guessed, "Mommy?"
"And the girls," Owen nodded with a smile.
Oliver jumped up and down with joy, "Tell me now, tell me now!"
Chuckling, Owen encouraged Oliver to calm down and wait. "Hey, Fin, run up, shower quick, and get dressed so we can head to dinner. Remember to put your soccer bag in the laundry room."
"I know, I'm on it, Dad," Finley yelled back as he ran up the stairs in his muddy cleats.
"Stop! Shoes off, Finley. C'mon," Owen sighed as Oliver pulled on his arm and continued to beg Owen to share the news about Amelia.
"Crud. Sorry, Dad," Finley apologized halfway up the stairs as he pulled his shoes off.
"Daaaddddyyyy," Bronwyn moaned as she entered the house, held her arms out and approached Owen.
"What's up, Bron?" Owen asked as he picked up and kissed his little girl. Placing his hand behind Bronwyn's head, Owen hugged her and grimaced at Lynne with confusion. Lynne shot back a look that told Owen Bronwyn was playing him. Owen knelt down and encouraged Bronwyn to get ready because they were going out to dinner. Bronwyn ran up to her bedroom, convinced such an occasion called for a change of clothes.
Lynne explained the close call with the seatbelt and caught Owen up on the day's news. He mumbled his news to Lynne who was thrilled to hear it. After saying goodbye to Oliver and encouraging him to share what happened at school, Lynne asked Owen to give Amelia her regards and headed to the small lake house.
Bronwyn started down the stairs in pink jeans, blue sparkly flats and a heavy red sweater. "How's this?" she celebrated, looking for affirmation.
"Bronwyn, you look beautiful, but that sweater might be too warm. How about a lighter sweater or a sweatshirt?" Owen suggested. Then he added, "Maybe your purple Minnie Mouse shirt?" It was worth a try to try to coordinate her colors a bit without letting her know.
Eventually, Bronwyn was ready, and Finley no longer smelled like a sweaty twelve-year-old boy. Oliver had remained at Owen's side, just in case his news accidentally spilled out while they waited for his siblings.
Owen grinned, "How would you guys like to go out to dinner?" Eating out was reserved for times when logistics simply demanded drive thru and when there was a very special occasion. Trying to manage all three kids at a restaurant, especially with only one parent, was an exhausting challenge.
All three expressed joy and excitement. Finley asked where they were going. Bronwyn begged to go to McDonalds, and Oliver wanted to get hotdogs.
"How about if we go eat at the hospital with Mommy?" Owen beamed with enthusiasm. The joy of all three kids disappeared.
"Really?" Finley asked, "the hospital, Dad?"
"Well, we'll have to get drive through on the way there so Mommy can have the Fish and Chips she begged me to bring," Owen clarified. "When we get to the hospital, Mommy and I have some special news to share."
Bronwyn had convinced Owen to carry her to the car. As the family walked to the garage, Bronwyn asked with concern, "Mommy's not having more babies, is she? Cause we have lots of kids now."
Owen hugged Bronwyn tighter into his side and assured her that was not the news.
"Look who's here," Amelia beamed and celebrated as the kids all entered. She was just finishing feeding the babies and handed Ella to Finley as she rearranged one side of her gown. "Do you want to try to get her to burp?" Amelia invited, knowing the boys thought the task of burping was hilarious.
"Me too, Mommy! Me too!" Oliver hopped and begged as Amelia kissed and hugged him.
"How about if you sit on the couch and Finley hands Ella to you and then Finley, you can burp Gwendolyn ," Owen suggested.
"As long as I get to make someone burp, I'm good," Finley laughed as he handed Ella to Owen so Owen could settle her in with Oliver.
"What do I get to do?" Bronwyn wondered aloud.
"How about if you help me pass out all this healthy food," Owen suggested with a playful grin. Not thrilled, but satisfied to at least have a job, Bronwyn headed over to her dad and began her task.
"Did you tell them?" Amelia asked as she smiled and bit her bottom lip.
"No!" all three kids exclaimed simultaneously. Owen and Amelia exchanged happy glances.
"C'mon, Daddy, tell us nnnnooooowwwww," Oliver whined with a playful smile.
"Mia?" Owen deferred to Amelia.
"The girls and I are going to come home soon," Amelia announced with wide eyes and clapping hands.
Oliver offered with anticipation, "Tonight?" Owen very quietly slipped out to find someone who could snap a family picture once the kids knew the news.
Bronwyn jumped up and down, but didn't share a guess about the timing.
"When?!" Finley asked.
Amelia clarified, "We don't know for sure, but probably on Sunday or Monday."
"All of you are coming then? You and the babies?" Oliver asked. Jo and Owen slipped into the room with Jo holding Owen's phone.
"We're kind of a package deal right now, Ollie," Amelia shrugged playfully. "So, yes, all of us. Our family will actually all be together." The kids applauded and ran to hug Amelia. Finley was still holding Ella and Owen had already scooped Gwendolyn up from Oliver's lap. Jo began snapping candids as the kids celebrated and hugged their mom.
Owen announced that he wanted a picture. He picked Bronwyn up with one arm and set her on the bed and then did the same with Oliver. Bronwyn leaned against Amelia's bent knees as Amelia quickly kissed Bronwyn's head, and Oliver snuggled next to his mom as Finley sat on the edge of the bed next to Ollie while holding Ella. Owen leaned next to Amelia on her other side with Gwendolyn in his arms. Jo giggled and suggested, "Everybody say 'Babies'!" She held the button down continuously so the phone snapped picture after picture as she hoped at least one would be a keeper with everyone looking up and smiling.
Later, Owen and Amelia realized those were their first family pictures with all five kids. Each one, with various people looking at the babies or at one another or with closed eyes or yawning mouths, was a treasure. Owen's absolute favorite was the one where the kids were all looking forward happily while he and Amelia were caught kissing one another.