8.5 Months Pregnant
Owen's POV
While Owen was in the middle of an emergency appendectomy his phone sounded. Calling behind his shoulder "Dr Kepner, will you bring my cell over here so I can read it? Thank you."
April brought the phone over to Owen and unlocked the screen for him.
O, it's time. Ax
Those four words floored him. He knew it was very rare that anyone gave birth on their actual due date, but he was hoping that the birth would be on one of his weekends of visiting.
"Kepner, page Bailey I need her to finish this procedure for me. Tell her it's urgent."
Owen stepped back from the table as Dr Bailey was paged, she immediately called through to his OR, her voice sounding over the speaker.
"Chief, I can be inside the OR in 15minutes."
Owen thanked her and left the room, instructing Kepner to monitor the patient.
After scrubbing out he paged Dr Webber, while on his way to his office. Asking Patricia to book him the next available flight to LA. Patricia a faithful assistant to Owen had been clued into his relationship and the challenges the new couple were about to go through.
He phoned Amelia while getting changed, assuring her he was on his way and would send to her his time of arrival as soon as he knew it. As soon as he hung up from the call, a knock sounded from his door.
He opened the door to see Dr Webber standing before him.
"You paged, Hunt?"
"Richard, I need a favour. I need you to stand in for me… I have to take some personal time."
"Is everything okay?"
"Not really… but it'll help if I know this place is in good hands. I'm flying to LA on the next available flight."
"LA? Hunt, forgive me for prying… but what's going on? I know your mum lives right here in Seattle…"
Owen sat down on his sofa, sighing loudly as he rested his head in his hands, shoulders sagging "It's complicated."
"I understand if you want to keep it private, Hunt, but I can see you're stressed and a little bit agitated. It might be helpful for you to get it off your chest."
Owen looked up, pain etched on his face "I've been seeing a woman for the last 4 months. She's pregnant, her baby is anencephalic and she's giving birth."
The pair were interrupted by Patricia as she announced a flight that could leave in 1.5hrs.
"Owen, I am so sorry to hear. That's a lot for you to take on. I didn't know you were dating..."
"I've been keeping it private. She's a surgeon too. It's only early days… it's a delicate situation and she doesn't need people talking about her. Discussing her private life."
"You've done very well to keep it out of the hospital rumour mill thus far."
"Webber, I would appreciate your discretion here?"
"Understandable Hunt."
Patricia peered her head around the door again "Chief, Amelia is on the phone for you."
Richard's ears perked up at hearing the name Amelia. Trying to place why that name would be familiar to him. The only surgeon by the name of Amelia that Richard could think of on the East Coast would be Amelia Shepherd. Surely Derek would've mentioned if his sister was pregnant, especially with such devastating circumstances.
"One moment Richard" Owen said before picking up the phone. "Mia, hi. Are you okay?... I've got a flight in an hour and a half…. Yeah, so about 4 and half hours…. I'm sorry its not going to be sooner…. I know, I wish I were already there too. Okay, I love you. See you soon, Okay?" as he hung up he looked up at Richard, a knowing expression on his face.
"That was Amelia Shepherd, wasn't it?"
Owen froze "I don't know what you're talking about…"
"Hunt, I won't say anything. It's okay."
Owen started to cry, covering his face behind his hands, the jerking of his shoulders a clear sign of his emotions.
"Derek doesn't know?"
Owen looked up and shook his head, wiping the tears with the back of his hand.
Richard sighed "Take the hospital chopper, Owen. Be there for her. She's a special young woman, she deserves as much support as she can get."
He stood up and walked over to Owen, placing a hand on his shoulder. When the two men made eye contact Richard gave his shoulder a squeeze "and you're an admirable man Owen Hunt. Allow yourself the time to fall apart now and then be the beacon of support Amelia is going to need. Now, take all the time that you need. Everything will be taken care of and in complete working order when you return."
"Thank you, Richard. I really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it. I'll get Patricia to arrange the helicopter for you. Take care."
With that, Richard left Owen to fall apart in private. He was about to walk into an incredibly delicate situation and he needed to be able to hold it together. He knew the only way that could happen would be to get his emotions out now.
His phone rang again, this time Patricia was on the line.
"Chief, Webber has asked for the chopper to be organised? They'll be ready to take you in 15 minutes. Let me know if there is anything I can organise for you, okay?"
"Thank you Patricia, you always go above and beyond."
"I'm more than happy to help, Chief."
Owen had a quick shower and went straight to the roof, his overnight bag slung over his shoulder.
As the helicopter transported him, Owen reflected on the ways his life had changed in the last few months. He had found a woman that he was so deeply in love with, so much so that it surprised even him with the gravity of his love. His world had opened up while knowing that he was about to watch the woman he had fallen for say goodbye to something so precious to her. A part of her. He knew the complexity of the situation, but his pull to be there and support Amelia outweighed all other emotions.
As the chopper descended to land on the Helipad at St Ambrose hospital, Owen saw a petite blonde haired woman awaiting his arrival. Owen knew this to be Charlotte King, from his conversations with Amelia.
As he stepped onto the roof he heard her southern drawl "You must be Hunt? I'm Charlotte King. We've been waiting for you. That girl of yours is getting close to delivery and I sure as hell know she will be happy to see you."
Amelia's POV
Amelia stretched in bed as she rolled onto her back. Sending Owen a quick text
Good Morning Handsome, have a great day. Only a few more days Ax
To which he quickly responded.
Ah, wouldn't it be nice to have only just woken up. I've just finished 6 hour surgery with an emergency appy starting soon. How are you feeling? I can't wait to see you this weekend Ox
Her response coming in quickly.
I'm great, hope it goes well. I'm counting the sleeps ;) Ax
She smiled and put her phone onto the bed, falling back asleep for a few hours.
Waking again, groaning at the dull ache in her back and pelvis. She'd been experiencing a
Sore back over the past week and was looking forward to Owen's impending arrival this
weekend with a promise massages for her back and feet. Rolling over in bed to stand on the floor, Amelia felt a tightening in her side which took her breath away. Wincing, Amelia rubbed her side "is it a bit cramped in there sweetheart?" as she padded into the bathroom, lifting Owen's t-shirt up and over her head. Amelia turned the faucet on as she felt another tightening, this time forcing her to bend forward slightly, cradling her bump with one hand as the other was braced on the wall.
Knowing what was coming, Amelia took a deep breath before standing under the shower. Cradling her bump and crying as the water cascaded down her body. She knew it was getting closer to having to say goodbye to her little boy and all she wanted was to bask in these final moments of the two of them.
After showering, Amelia dressed and picked up her phone, sending Owen a text
O, It's time. Ax
Before phoning Jake to let him know that she was in the early stages of labor. Requesting she come in immediately, Amelia phoned Charlotte, asking her to come and pick her up.
The pair drove in silence the familiar route to St Ambrose, Amelia's hand gripped firmly in Charlotte's.
When the pulled up at the hospital, Amelia was ushered in privately and taken directly to a private suite. When Jake arrived, he gave held her hand and asked if she wanted him to call anyone in for her, knowing Addison was waiting outside and would wait there until Amelia needed her.
Shaking her head "My boyfriend, Owen… I've already text him. He's in Seattle and will be here in a few hours."
Jake smiled kindly at Amelia "I didn't realise you were seeing anybody. I suppose congratulations are in order."
"It's only new… but it just feels…. I don't know how to describe it, but it feels right. Being with him is like finally feeling like I have a home." Amelia confessed, her eyes full of unshed tears.
Jake nodded his head, filled with happiness for Amelia. He knew just how much she deserved that love and happiness in her life.
"Tell me more about him?"
"Well, he's a surgeon too. Naturally." Amelia joked "He actually works at Seattle Grace, you know…"
"Where Addie used to work, and your brother?" Jake interrupted.
"That's the one. He was chief of trauma but is actually now the Chief of Surgery."
"Wow. Impressive." Jake acknowledged, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Who would've thought it, right?"
Jake laughed "That's not what I meant and you know it! I'm glad you'll have someone in here with you… You know, Addison is outside…"
"I don't want her in here."
"That's your decision, but just so you know, she really loves you."
Amelia looked out her window before saying "I'm just going to call Owen."
Jake nodded "I'll give you privacy and will check in with you soon. Call me if you need anything." Amelia quickly reached out and grabbed his arm, before he could turn to leave the room.
"No drugs, no epidural, no pain meds, no sedatives. I mean it."
"Okay" Jake confirmed.
"I want you to move me off the OB floor the minute I'm done delivering, I don't want to be on this floor. And wrap his head right away, I don't want to see it."
Jake nodded "Okay."
"Just take him away before I can see him, I don't want to hear him cry."
"Amelia…"
"Right. A baby without a frontal lobe can't cry. But I remember from one of my intern rotations an anencephalic baby…. They kind of make a squeak. Take him away before he squeeks. I Life will out, you know?"
"I know."
As Amelia pulled the blanket up around her, Jake left her hospital room.
Dialling Owen's hospital line Patricia answered the call "Seattle Grace Hospital, Chief Hunts office, Patricia speaking."
Amelia smiled with pride "Patricia, Hi. It's Amelia. I was hoping Owen was available?"
"Of course, sweetheart. He's with Dr Webber, but I know he will want to be interrupted. Hey I'm thinking of you, Okay?"
"Thanks Patricia" Amelia answered, not sure what part of that phrase she was thanking her for and waiting for the click of Owen answering her call.
"…. Hey O, I'm doing okay. What time do you anticipate on being here?... Oh that's good…. I'll be alright…. I wish you were here already, but I understand…. I love you too…. Okay, bye"
As the call disconnected, Amelia lay down on the bed softly cradling her bump as she stared off into the distance, interrupted by a knock at the door. Opening the door slowly, Sam walked in.
"Hi Amelia, I just wanted to talk to you, about the transplant? And why I can't be a part of your transplant team." Sam looked down to the ground as he wrung his hands.
"I understand." Amelia looked up to him, disappointment showing on her face. "You're gonna say because technically a child with a working brain stem can't be declared brain dead even though he'll never walk or talk or move or eat. He won't have a life where he can love, to think, to know words or feelings. To be conscious. You're going to talk to me about medications and technicalities and the feelings of science and I understand, I do. But I know that's not why you wont do the harvest. It's because it's unimaginable. What I'm asking you to do? It's unimaginable. It's horrible. It's excruciating. I'm…. I'm asking you to help dismantle my baby for parts. There's no piece of anyone's soul that can hold that and feel okay. What I'm asking, asking of you is to help me. Because I now also understand a mothers love. I've done my research, Sam. There are babies, children all over the country side who need pieces of my baby to live, experience life, grow up, fall in love and just live. There are children who need livers and kidneys, skin, teeny tiny heart valves. I know how desperate their mothers are because I'm just as desperate for my child. Except the reality for my child is that he doesn't have the opportunity to grow up and do all of those things… but he can make a difference and he can bring those children back to their mothers and their families. What I'm asking you is unimaginable, but its also everything those other mothers could ever imagine. I'm his mom, I'm asking you to do this. If I can get there why can't you."
Sam nodded slowly as Amelia slowly lifted herself out of the bed, walking towards the sofa. Taking that as his cue to leave, Sam turned and slowly walked out, passing Owen who came rushing in.
Amelia let out a loud groan as she doubled over in pain.
Owen rushed to her side "Mia." Gently stroking her back. "Here, let me help you…."
"Please, Owen… don't touch me. I can't cry and I know if I let you touch me, I'm just going to fall apart. I can't be weak. I can't break down. So please, just don't touch me."
Amelia cried out again in pain.
Owen listened for a few moments before pressing his fingers along the side of her spine, trying to release the pain "Fuck it Amelia, let me help you. Who cares if you cry. It's just you and me here, okay? I'm here and I'm going to do everything I can for you."
Amelia started to sob through the pain, Owen's fingers pressing against her back, trying to locate the right spot.
As Amelia's breathing returned to normal Owen helped her move back to the bed.
Looking up at him, Amelia grasped Owen's hand. "thank you for being here."
Gently stroking her cheek he leant forward to kiss her forehead "I wouldn't be anywhere else Mia."
Just then, Jake reappeared, smiling as he saw Owen.
"Ah, you must be Owen? I'm Jake Reilly."
Extending his hand to greet Amelia's doctor, colleague and friend Owen smiled "Pleasure to meet you Jake. Listen, thanks for everything you've done for Amelia so far. She's told me how supportive you've been."
"It's no problem, really. That's what family is for." Turning to Amelia, Jake continued "Alright, Amelia lets see how much longer we have, okay?"
Amelia nodded and Jake draped her lower body, checking her cervix.
"Okay, Amelia we're at 10cm here. I'm going to need you to start pushing. Are you ready?"
Nodding at Jake, Amelia then looked up at Owen, fear evident on her face.
As her labour went on and Amelia was getting close to delivery she cried "I can't do this anymore. I want this to be over."
Owen wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"This is a unicorn baby, I shouldn't have to work this hard for a unicorn baby."
Jake calmly intervened "Amelia, you're doing great. You're almost there. I just need you to stop pushing."
"I cant! It hurts to much to not push. No, No, NO! This is too hard I have to push."
"No, no…. not yet." Jake calmly responded.
"Oh God! It hurts." Amelia cried loudly. "I can't do this!"
The birthing suite door opened quickly as Addison rushed in. "Yes you can, Amelia!" sweeping the hair off her forehead.
"I don't want her here!"
"Yes you do!" Owen and Jake said in unison
"Addie, Addie… my baby is gonna die."
Her eyes filling with tears, Addison gently stroked Amelia's hair "I know. I am so sorry."
"I'm calling him a unicorn baby."
"You are?" Addison asked, a bittersweet smile across her face. Memories flooding back of Amelia as a twelve-year-old girl, completely obsessed with unicorns. With their magical powers and how they had the ability to do great things. Her heart breaking at the thought of that sweet young Amy now. "That's great Amy"
"Addie, you need to control her labour." Jake said quietly.
Addison took a deep breath "Okay Amelia, I know that you want to push, but you have to wait."
"No…" Amelia groaned "Oh, it hurts!" she turned her head, looking at Owen pleadingly.
"Mia, look at me. You can do this okay. Look how far you've come." Owen climbed into the bed behind her "Shhh, I've got you…" she rested her forehead against the side of his neck. "Just take a few deep breaths, you can do it." He whispered in her ear.
Addison caught his eye, noticing that Amelia was starting to be able to control her breath and mouthed thank you. His eyes filling with tears as he nodded.
"Okay, Amelia. I need you to push for me." Jake instructed.
With the arms of Owen around her and her hand firmly in Addison's, Amelia found the strength to follow his instructions. Falling back into Owen's arms as Jake and Addison took her little boy to check his vitals.
"You did so well Mia, I am so proud of you." Owen whispered lovingly as he stroked her hair.
Amelia sat in his arms, crying silently. A surging rush of emotions and hormones fuelling her body.
After a few moments Amelia's soft voice sounded "Addie…? I want to hold him."
Addison continued to wrap the newborn in a blanket "Are you sure Aims?"
Nodding her head desperately, Amelia watched Addison place a hat on his head before bringing him over and placing him in her arms.
Amelia sucked in an audible breath as she gazed lovingly at the newborn baby in her arms "He's beautiful, isn't he?" she turned her head around to catch Owen's eyes, who nodded in response.
Jake watched on, his arms around Addison as they both felt such devastation for Amelia.
"Hi sweet boy, you're so magical, you know that? You are going to help save so many babies lives. I am so proud of you." She gently stroked his cheek with her thumb. Unwrapping him slowly from the blanket, Amelia counted his 10 little toes and 10 little fingers. Her fingertips running over his tiny nails, trying to imprint the memory of exactly how he looked in her mind forever. She moved her fingertips up towards his face again, tracing from his nose, across his cheeks and down around his chin before they reached the band of his hat. She gently slid it off his head and smiled, blinking away her tears.
Leaning down to place a kiss on his forehead, she whispered in his ear "I love you so much." and rubbed her nose against his.
Jake stepped forward and crouched down beside Amelia. "it's time."
Her head snapped up to look at him "No, not yet. Please?"
"Amelia, if you've changed your mind – its okay. You can keep holding him for as long as you like. But if you'd still like to go ahead with the transplants, we're going to need to take him now."
Amelia closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and then looked back down at her newborn son, taking in his features one last time. "Goodbye my little unicorn." She whispered as she lifted her arms up to place him in Jake's arms.
As Jake left the room, Addison close behind him Amelia started to sob. Curling herself into Owen's arms, as he held her tightly, his own tears running down his cheeks. They lay that way until the both eventually fell asleep. The exhaustion of their emotional day finally taking over.
