Authors Note

I'm sorry that I have't update for so long, it just life been hectic with work lately that I haven't got the time too and I just haven't been that inspired to write lately but seeing and hearing that new season will out November just give me that push that I need. Please leave a comment so I know that people are still reading lol. This is a bit of a short chapter but it the closure between Teddy and Owen with the next chapters focusing on how they moving forward together now.

Chapter 7: "It Wasn't An Obligation"

They listened to the tranquil noise of the rain dropping and hitting onto the metal rail outside in the night. None of them says anything as they only both lay on their shared bed with their back facing each other as they were both slightly consumed by their thoughts.

Both lying beside each other with only a few metres separating them but yet, they both felt so distant from each other, so unfamiliar and out of reach from each other.

Owen listened quietly to the rain as he was trying to getting some sleep but tonight weren't his night as he knew he won't be getting any. Even with their back facing each other right now, he was certain that he isn't the only one that is still awake in this night.

He contemplated for a while before softly whispering, "It wasn't supposed to be like this, Teddy", he started in a soft tone that was sufficient for her to hear. Without waiting for her to reply or without needing her confirmation that she is still awake, he took a deep breath as he gradually continued, "it wasn't an obligation or responsibility. It never was. Allison wasn't a burden. You weren't an obligation, you and Allison were never an obligation, you were both were what I wanted."

Hesitating and pausing as he struggled to find the words, "you were what I want. I am sorry Teddy, I am sorry for always hurting you", he apologised sincerely with regrets lingering in his voice as he closed his eyes. If only he can change back the past, change the course of action, he will. He never really considered the impact of his action, he never really considered her feelings or he had always assumed that she will be fine as Teddy always put out the facade of an independent strong person that never need anyone and she was always someone that will be selflessly there for him whenever he needs her so he had always taken her for granted.

Not saying a single word and desperately remaining to be quiet, she raised her hand toward her lip as she bites deeply onto her knuckle preventing herself from crying, stopping herself from making any noise as her tears slid down her face.

She woke up to an empty bed, with his words from last night constantly repeating in her mind. She expected him to be angry at her, she expected him to yell at her, to give her the silent treatment or even to walk out from her but she never expected or thought that he would apologise.

Pushing all her hairs to one, she slowly stepped out of their room before she even reaches the dining room, she can already hear Allison giggling happily without knowing what was going on. Teddy stood by the wall quietly watching the scene in front of her, watching the man that she claimed she loved trying to entertain and feed their cheeky daughter while also at the same time keeping an eye out on little Leo who was on the other side holding a spoon in one hand, trying to feed himself but only ends up making a mess.

The sight in front of her was always what she had wanted, a loving family. A family with the man that she loved and now that she finally had it, it was herself the one that tarnished it, the one that ruined it, just like how she always tends to destroy every single good thing she has.

"You're awake" Owen called out as he looked at Teddy, breaking her out of her thoughts as she only nodded as a response, she watched as Owen strolled up toward the counter, "would you like some coffee?" He asked casually while refilling his cup and Teddy only again nodded, "yes please" she replied politely.

She watched quietly as he poured her a cup of coffee and he handed it out toward her with a smile on his face. "Thank you" Teddy civilly whispered back as she rested her lip on the rim of the cup, her hands wrapped around the cup. None of them says anything else as they only just stood there both with their cup of coffee, both struggling to find something to say.

"Last night, you didn't have to apologise Owen" she started, "the one that should apologise was me" she confessed as her eyes starting to swell from the tears that always been along wanting to be released. He didn't say anything, as he only remained in his spot without a word but with his eyes only fixated at his coffee.

Biting her lip strongly, she hesitated before finally admitting, "I'm not okay Owen." And for once she felt a sense of relief, she felt the weight on her shoulder loosen as she finally had come to terms with it, she finally for once admitted that she was not okay, she never was.

Turning around to look at her for the first, he knew it wasn't easy, he knew how Teddy was, he knew how she often pretended as if she was fine, how she often put out a strong exterior so he knew that it required a lot of courage for her to admit it. "I know," he said softly in a sympathetic tone, Owen knew that it wasn't the best choice of words but he wasn't great at comforting people, he didn't know what to say.

Meeting each other gazes, "I'm not alright" she repeated herself and Owen nodded again to reassure her in a soft voice, a comforting tone, "I know." Staring at the forgiving man that was in front of him, Teddy no longer cares about the tears that were sliding down on her cheekbone, she no longer cares of exposing the vulnerable side of her, she no longer cares if she is seen as weak and as pathetic.

"You were right, I am self-destructive. I am the one that always ruins everything. I am not okay", she confessed and Owen took a step closer toward her, "Teddy it will be alright."

She shook her head at his words as she covered her mouth with her hand, "please. Don't" she begged and Owen looked at her sympathetically as he called out again, "Teddy."

Pushing her hand back down to her side, "no. Don't" she snapped ina firmer voice. "Don't say words to just comfort me. Let's not lie to ourself, we both know that it not going to be okay. We both know that it's too late to go back to how everything once was" she cried weakly.

There was silence between the two of them even the kids weren't making any noises. Owen was digesting every single word that she was saying and as much as he hates it, a part of him knew that she was right.

Finally, he took a step forward, a step closer toward her but yet also continue making sure that there is still a step distance between them. He held out his hand openly to her, "it will take time, but I want to move forward with you " he confessed gently to her and he watched as she looked at his hand, his invitation and at him confusingly.

Shaking her head as she is still trying to make sense of what is going on, "I don't understand. Why?"

"Because I love you" he answered and he let out a smile, it wasn't a smile to assure her but it was a smile because he was certain now as to what he is doing, how to tackle this path ahead of them. "Because you're not my second choice. You're not my consolation price. I once told you that no matter what you said, I will always love you and that wasn't a lie."

His words and confession only made her feel worse as she apologised again with remorse consuming her inside, "Owen. I'm sorry."

Owen nodded knowingly, "I know and I am not going to lie that this will be easy. For me to not think about it, for me to fully trust you again and forgive you. I am not going to lie that I am not hurt by your actions. I am not going to lie that I am have forgiven you. I am also not going to lie to you that I still undoubtedly love you. I love you Teddy and I don't want to give up on us, just like this" he confessed.

She couldn't help but felt a pang of remorse or guilt overwhelming her, seeing him forgiving her and seeing him willing to give her another chance only made her felt more unworthy of his love, "I don't deserve this Owen" she said sadly as she gazed at him, watching him and just trying to understand what he was thinking.

"We're all human, we all make mistakes. I'm not willing to just give up on us, to give up on our family and you, just like this. But I need to know Teddy, I need to know that if I am fighting this, I am not fighting alone. I need to know, do you still want to fight? For us, for this family, for me?" He asked with his voice becoming softer toward the end and he slightly stretched out his hand further toward her as he gazed at her with his heart beating in a fast pace, afraid to know what her decision will be, what her answer will be and what will be the future of them.

She looked at him, at his eyes that were staring back at her desperately searching for an answer, an expression with a linger of fear and uncertain. Her gazes averted toward his opening hands before she slowly closed her eyes as she wiped away the bitter waters that were dripping down from her eyes before she finally took hold of his hand. Her two hands clasping onto his like a child holding tightly onto its parent, afraid to be let go, afraid to be abandoned. Lifting their hands up together, she tiredly rested her forehead onto it as she allowed herself to cry, allowing herself to be weak, vulnerable and allowing Owen to know that she is not okay.