Chapter 16: The Wizard of Oz Part 2
SCENE: KANSAS CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
(Amber and Levi are on the escalators leading to the lobby. Amber hears nothing but muffled sounds as her mind is preoccupied by everything)
Levi: (Muffled in Amber's head) Amber? Amber?
Amber: (Snaps out of it) Yeah?
Levi: Are you okay?
Amber: Um yeah, I'm fine it's just me spacing out due to the…realness of this whole thing. Why were you saying something?
Levi: (Holds the travel book he's reading) Oh uh did you know that it's illegal to shoot rabbits from a motorboat in this state?
Amber: Really? Well, there goes my plans for tomorrow.
Levi: (Knows she's freaking out) He may not be there, okay? Don't assume the worst.
Amber: I have to because if I don't, I will end up being more disappointed if I have happy scenarios and they end up kaput. Alright I'll get the rent a car and meet you out in the driveway.
Levi: Okay.
CUT TO THE KANSAS ROAD
(Amber is driving a black Mazda CX-3 with Levi in the passenger seat)
Levi: Do you even know where your going?
Amber: Yeah, I checked Stevens' resume and she works at Shawnee Memorial in Baldwin City.
Levi: Right but you can't just show up at the hospital ask around for your former sister-in-law to see if she is harboring your missing brother.
Amber: No of course not I'm gonna go to her house.
Levi: (Taken back) You have her personal address? How? You never met her.
Amber: I called her office said I was a resident from Grey Sloan and wanted to ask her personally about a former patient of hers when she was still in Seattle. And they gave me her address.
Levi: I am going to blame that on an incompetent secretary instead of you lying. So what are you gonna do when you get there? What are you going to say?
Amber: (Thinks) Hmm I guess I could go up to her at point blank and say, 'Hi I'm your former sister-in-law and I was wondering if my brother slash your ex husband is inside cheating on his current wife in twenty different positions with you.' What do you think?
Levi: It's very straightforward and cuts right to the chase.
Amber: Yeah, besides Alex might answer and I can skip the whole awkward introduction and interrogation.
Levi: Yeah, you make enough time to neuter him on the spot.
Amber: Exactly you get it.
(Levi sighs as they continue to drive)
TWENTY MINUTES LATER OUTSIDE A FARM
(Amber and Levi walk out of the car and stand outside the two story house with a patio in the front)
Levi: It's a nice place, the horses really add to it.
(Amber stands there frozen)
Levi: Okay, let's go.
(Levi starts to walk to the patio but stops when he notices Amber is stuck in place. Levi knows what she's thinking and goes to her)
Amber: (Shaky breath) I can't do this Levi; I can't do this. If I do and he is in there then I will know and Jo is gonna know and…everything falls apart after that. I am physically incapable of moving because that terrifies me to my core, I am terrified of losing the only family I have.
Levi: (Holds her hands) They're not the only family you have, okay? I am your family and I came here not to stop you from killing Alex but so that I can help you be brave enough to face this. Amber you are the strongest person I have ever met and I know you can do this because you have survived so much worse. I am right here to help you and I am not going anywhere. Do you think you can move now?
(Amber looks at the house in front of her and breathes deeply to compose herself before nodding. Levi keeps holding her hand as they slowly go up the patio and to the front door)
Amber: (Lifts her fist to knock but hesitates)
Levi: I can do it.
Amber: Yes please.
(Levi knocks on the door and they wait for a moment until someone opens the door. Amber is taken back as she finally sees Izzie Stevens in person looking just like her photo only slightly older)
Izzie: Yes? Can I help you?
Amber: (Tries to say something) Um…I'm…
Levi: (Takes over for her) Hi um I'm Levi and this is Amber we're residents from Grey Sloan Memorial you uh you used to work there.
Izzie: Yes, I remember I'm sorry but what is this about?
Levi: (Looks at Amber who is still shell shock) Um…okay I need to ask because my friend can't um…this is probably stupid but is uh Alex-
Alex: (Out of their view) Iz! (Walks to the door in pajamas holding a yellow box) You're out of sweetener do you want to go to the store and-
(Alex pauses as he looks up and sees Amber and Levi at the door. Amber's shock slowly turns into anger at the sight of her brother in another woman's house)
Levi: (Shocked as well) You were right, oh my god you were right.
Izzie: (Confused) I'm sorry but who are you people? Alex?
Amber: (Normal and composed voice) You son of a bitch.
Alex: (Knows she's gonna jump) Amber just wait-
Amber: (Roars in rage) You son of a bitch!
(Amber barges in pushing past Izzie and punches Alex in the face as hard as she possibly can causing him to tumble back)
Izzie: (Shrieks in shock) Oh my god Alex!
Levi: Amber wait!
(Amber ignores them and grabs Alex by his t shirt and pins him against the wall hard)
Alex: Amber let's just calm down-
Amber: You lied to us! She trusted you and you go and do this! How could you?!
(Amber slams Alex against the wall again to hurt him)
Izzie: (Freaking out) Who the hell are you?! And what are you doing in my house?!
Levi: Oh, sorry um this is Amber Karev she is your ex-husbands sister.
Izzie: (Eyes wide) Your sister?!
Alex: Yeah, and she is currently attacking me so-
(Amber slams him against the wall again causing him to yell in pain)
Amber: (Enraged) You just married Jo she wants to have kids with you! I'm gonna make it so that you won't be able to after I cut off your-
Alexis: Daddy?
(Amber turns and sees and little boy and girl standing by the stairs and looking at the scene in shock)
Eli: Are you okay dad?
(Amber is again frozen with shock as she stares at the little boy and girl who go behind Izzie in fear)
CUT TO BLACK
SCENE: IZZIES LIVING ROOM
(Amber and Levi are on the couch shell shocked by what they saw while Alex and Izzie try to calm the kids down upstairs)
Levi: (Tries to speak but comes up empty)
Amber: (Keeps quiet as her brain is melting from the shock)
(Alex comes in the living room with an ice pack and holds it out to Amber who now gets angry at the sight of him)
Alex: Put it on your hand.
Amber: I am not taking anything from you, you lying cheating selfish bastard ass.
Alex: (Stern) Put the ice on your $100,000 a year hand.
(Amber grabs the ice pack in anger and puts it on her right hand. Izzie comes down the stairs and gets an angry glare from Amber)
Izzie: Okay the twins believed me when I told them that your sister was showing you a wrestling move that's only known by women and Alexis is excited to have an aunt who's a fighter. Let me see.
(Izzie grabs Alex's face and examines his eye)
Izzie: Doesn't look too bad, normal swelling, no laceration. Wow your sister really laid you out.
Amber: (Still glaring at Izzie) I took boxing I know to put my weight on it so that the person I'm punching can feel pain for days. Let that be a warning to you lady.
Alex: Amber.
Amber: No! You do not get to Amber me, you lied to us about where you were going so you could meet up with some blonde hussy you apparently knocked up and you're judging me?!
Izzie: (Offended) Excuse I am right here you know.
Amber: I know and I wish I didn't.
Alex: (Wants to change the subject) How did you know I wasn't in Iowa?
Amber: Mom called me after you left, there was an accident at Joe's and she was worried about me. (Sarcastically) Thanks for calling to check up on me by the way, proof that you're a considerate brother.
Alex: Get to the part where you found out.
Amber: I asked mom to put you on because you weren't answering and she said you never went home. I did some investigating and found out you bought a plane ticket to Kansas. I knew that she worked here so I knew it wasn't a coincidence hence why I am here and why my hand is swelling from punching your stupid face.
Alex: Does anybody else know that you're here?
Amber: (Spiteful) Do you mean your wife who you lied to and cheated on?
Alex: Just tell me.
Amber: (Exhales) No, no one except me, Andrew and Levi know that you went to another state and had sex with your ex while your wife is sitting vigil at home.
Izzie: Okay we did not have sex he was just-
Amber: (Still angry) I am not talking to you, no one is talking to you so you can keep your trap shut!
(Izzie looks at Alex who rubs his eyes frustrated)
Alex: Alright yes, I lied but I did not cheat on Jo. I've been here the past two weeks getting to know Eli and Alexis.
Amber: Who?
Izzie: My kids, our kids.
Amber: (Glares at Izzie) I am talking to my brother and this is none of your damn business so I suggest you keep quiet before I make you.
Alex: Easy. If I explain this to you, will you try your hardest not to be awful to her?
Amber: Right because you want to keep your mistress satisfied right?
Levi: I think what she means is yes, she can.
Alex: (Sits at an armchair) Alright so you know how Iz had end stage cancer right?
Amber: That led to the two of you getting married only for her to leave you yes.
Alex: Right well before that, Izzie was gonna start chemo and so she decided to preserve her eggs so that she can have kids later. You're a doctor so you know that frozen eggs have a higher survival rate when their fertilized and I…fertilized them.
Amber: (Pauses for a moment) You made embryos with her when you two weren't even together?
Alex: We were together at the time and I wanted to help her during a difficult time in her life and after she went into full remission, she used them.
Levi: (Shocked) Those kids are your embryos?
Izzie: I did IVF and became pregnant with twins six years ago; I gave birth nine months later. I…I wanted to tell him but after everything that happened and what I did to him. I was scared to pick up the phone and I decided to do this on my own.
Amber: And you kept my brother out of his kids lives, that's what you choose to do?
Izzie: (Sighs) I know you hate me for that-
Amber: I hate you for a lot of reasons this is just a new one.
Alex: (Fed up with her attitude) Stop it! Okay? I signed a contract after she went into chemo, it stated that she could do what she wanted with the embryos whether it's to use them or burn them I gave her that option. I signed away my rights to them so you can blame me for that.
Amber: (Incredulous) You signed a contract? You gave her ammunition to raise your kids alone without your knowledge? Is that what you are telling me?
(Alex looks at her with a blank face holding an ice pack to his eye confirming her question)
Amber: (Scoffs) …Alex, you are an idiot. Our mom gave birth to an idiot, I am related to an idiot, Jo and this woman married an idiot!
Alex: Keep it down please the twins could hear you.
Amber: Hear what? That their father is an idiot?!
Alex: Will you let me finish?!
(Amber quiets down and leans back on the couch to listen)
Alex: Thank you. I called her to get her letter of support for Mer's trial and while I was on the phone…I heard this little girl singing a first-grade song and I asked Izzie if she had kids and…
Izzie: I told him that I had his kids.
Amber: And you came down here to meet them?
Alex: Yes, I came here to meet them. I lied because-
Amber: (Stands up) I don't want to hear about why you lied to the woman you claim to love I know everything I need to know now and Jo will too once I get back. I am gonna make sure that she is the one who leaves your lying miserable ass before you do that to her. Levi we're leaving let's get the hell out of here.
Alex: (Tries to stop her) Amber wait please just listen to me.
Amber: (Pushes him away and runs to the door) I hope you two are happy together, you deserve each other!
(Amber goes inside the car with Levi getting in the passenger seat. Amber turns the car on but doesn't move)
Levi: Amber? Are you okay?
Amber: (Hits her steering wheel repeatedly in anger)
Levi: (Scared) Okay I'm driving let's switch.
AN HOUR LATER AT THE WAFFLE HOUSE
(Amber sits in a booth eating her third plate of waffles with Levi across from her just about to finish his first plate)
Waiter: Hello again, would you like another plate of-
Amber: (Mouth full) Yes, keep them coming and bring another pitcher of milk.
(The waiter takes the plate away and Amber drinks her milk to wash down the waffles. Levi looks at her in worry)
Amber: What?
Levi: It is amazing that you can consume so much bread.
Amber: Yeah, well stress binging is a bitch and I need to do that before I go back to Seattle and break my sister's heart when I tell her that her husband is cheating on her with his first love who he apparently has kids with. (To the waiter) Add two plates of bacon on the side!
Levi: Are you sure you want to do that? You don't know everything yet.
Amber: What is there to know? He is in Kansas after lying to her so he can playhouse with his ex-wife. What else is there to know?
Levi: For one thing if he actually wants to leave Jo. You left before he could finish so that has more to do with you being angry than him being unfaithful.
Amber: Don't you dare try to defend that man when you got a front row seat to his lies and debauchery.
Levi: And you assaulting him. Look I'm not defending him what he did was awful but you need to think about Jo.
Amber: I am thinking about her I'm thinking about being the only Karev who is honest with her and get her to serve him divorce papers before he does.
Levi: You don't know if he's going to leave her, all you know is that he came here to meet his kids. Amber, you didn't ask if he was gonna stay or be with Jo you just…you stormed out of there.
(Amber freezes in thought over Levi's statement)
Levi: Look before you tell your sister, who has been through the wringer, something that will devastate her. Get all the facts and then you can decide what to do once you have all the information. I am right and you know I am.
Amber: (Groans) Damn it.
(The waiter brings the fourth plate and Amber eats it to prepare to go back to the farm)
LATER AT THE FARM
(Amber parks her car in the driveway and sees Alex sitting on a bench watching the twins feeding the chickens. She turns the car off and calmly sits next to him on the bench surprising him)
Alex: You came back.
Amber: (Exhales) It occurred to me that I haven't given you much of a chance to fully explain yourself and what you plan to do after your finished here so…I will give you five minutes uninterrupted to tell me what your plan is so…go.
Alex: (Sighs and looks at the kids) It was so surreal when she told me you know? I was in shock I couldn't move or think for five minutes and when I did…I knew I had to see it for myself, I had to see them. After the trial I bought a plane ticket to Kansas and told you and Jo I was visiting mom because I had to know for sure before dragging the two of you through this. I saw them and…I fell in love with them I love them with every cell in my body. I knew in that moment that it was real that they were real. I mean look at them, their amazing. You know they both want to be doctors? Their smarter than I was at their age, hell sometimes at my age. They knew that Izzie used embryos to make them so they welcomed me into their lives and two days ago…two days ago they asked if they could call me dad. They have a life that we didn't have, they have happiness and innocence and love and I want to be a part of that Amber. I want to be a part of the rest of their lives so damn much, I want to play ball with Eli, I want to walk Alexis down the aisle hell I even want to go through the awkward and uncomfortable talk with both of them when their teenagers. I want all of that, I want to be their dad.
Amber: (Tears up) I guess I'll explain that to Jo as best as I can, I know you made your decision and…I am grateful that you raised me and that you protected me but I will not side with you on this. I will not side with you abandoning a woman who has loved you and supported you time and time again so-
Alex: I'm not leaving Jo.
Amber: (Surprised) You're not?
Alex: No, I'm not. I want to know my kids, but I don't want to lose Jo. I care about Izzie and I love her I will always love her even if I am mad that she didn't tell me because I am grateful, she gave me those two but…I'm not in love with her not anymore. I am in love with Jo and I always will be.
Amber: Then why haven't you told her this? Why haven't you been returning her calls?
Alex: …I'm scared Amber.
Amber: Of what? Jo leaving you?
Alex: Partly but also what if this pushes her over the edge again? What if she falls back into that black hole, she fought so damn hard to come out of? Amber what if she doesn't come back after this?
Amber: God you really are an idiot. Jo will not fall into the abyss if you tell her this, matter of fact she'll be relieved shocked but eventually relieved. This is better than hearing you choose to abandon her to raise your kids with your ex. If she knows that you still want to be with her, the rest won't matter, you know that. That woman has been there for you through every crisis and she will be there for this, you have to have faith she will do that otherwise you're not much of a husband.
Alex: …Your right.
Amber: Of course, I am I'm not an idiot like you.
Alex: (Chuckles and notices her hands) Hey why aren't you wearing it?
Amber: Wearing what?
Alex: (Realizes Andrew hasn't proposed) Nothing I must be delirious from you punching me.
Amber: (Scoffs) Baby, you're not even blind…Alex I need to ask this because you clearly have not asked so-
Alex: They're mine, I know they're my kids so don't ask or I will punch back.
Amber: Did you do a paternity test?
Alex: And yet you asked. Amber, Izzie went through aggressive chemo for months, that kind of trauma can nuke your eggs making you infertile.
Amber: Alex you know as well as I do that chemo can cause permanent or temporary infertility. I am trying to make sure you know for sure before you uproot your life and your wife's life over a lie from an untrustworthy person. Alex, you are taking the word of a woman who has lied to you and left you and-
Alex: Loved me and was married to me in spite of all the crap I did to her in the beginning. I know you think that Izzie is the bitch here because of what you've heard but she has only seen the best in me even when I was awful to her. She is the reason I changed for the better and why I am deserving of a wonderful woman like Jo. I know Izzie I know that she wouldn't lie about this I know when she is telling me the truth so I know that those kids are mine by her word alone.
Amber: (Tries to convince him) Alex-
Alex: (Points to Eli) Look at him, look at Eli and tell me that that crooked smile doesn't look familiar to you. Tell me and I will take a damn test.
(Amber looks at Eli and notices the similarity between him and Alex)
Amber: There is a small similarity.
Alex: Then trust me on this, please.
Amber: (Inhales and exhales) Okay.
Alex: Good, now are you ready to meet your niece and nephew?
(Amber is silent for a moment but nods and Alex leads them to the twins who excitedly run to them)
Alex: Hey guys this is my sister Amber she's also-
Alexis: (Smiles) Our auntie hi!
Eli: Hi!
Amber: (Grins at their adorable faces and kneels down) Um hi it's so nice to officially meet you guys. Sorry you had to see me dominating your dad.
Alexis: Its okay mommy told me you were teaching him a new wrestling move can you teach me?
Amber: (Chuckles) Maybe when you are older and taller, then we can talk. What about you little man? Do you want me to teach you how to push your dad around too?
Eli: (Smiles) Uh huh, I want to be strong just like Captain America.
Amber: Superhero fan huh? That's not surprising your whole generation loves people with capes.
Eli: Captain America doesn't have a cape only Thor and Vision have capes.
Amber: (Nods) I did not know that so thank you for telling me.
Alexis: (Excited about having an aunt) Do you want to see our books and toys?
Amber: (Looks at Alex who nods) Sure I would love to, lead the way.
(Eli and Alexis each grab a hand and lead Amber back to the house while Alex is behind grinning at his kids marveling at their new aunt)
LATER AT ELI AND ALEXIS'S ROOM
(Amber is on the table with them playing arts and crafts and talking about Seattle)
Amber: It's a very cool city, it's big and there's lots of attractions and ferries. You get to go to work on a boat.
Alexis: (Amazed) Wow, have you ever taken a boat to work?
Amber: No but I do take the boat when I want to go to the other side of town or the island.
Eli: You have your own island?!
Amber: (Chuckles) It's not my island it's an island by Seattle that I go to sometimes when I want to see something very pretty like the woods or the beach. I'm gonna take you guys to Bainbridge one day, you are going to love it.
Alexis: Daddy says it'll be a while before we go to Seattle, is that right?
Amber: (Treads carefully) …Well daddy has a lot of friends back home who are dying to know about you I know that his best friend Meredith will love to meet you guys. She's gonna be your auntie Mer and her kids are gonna play with you and grow up with you.
Eli: Do you have kids?
Amber: Um no I don't have any kids, at least not yet.
Alexis: Do you have a life partner? Daddy says you love people.
Amber: That is true and…I do have someone in my life that I love very much and (Chuckles) he is gonna be shocked when I tell him about you guys but he will want to meet you. Wow that is a lot of glitter Alexis.
Alexis: I like sparkly things.
Amber: (Grins) I can tell.
CUT TO OUTSIDE THE ROOM
(Izzie is watching Amber play with the twins from a distance and Alex goes up to her)
Alex: Their fine, my sister was shocked but I know that she is falling in love with them as we speak.
Izzie: (Chuckles) Even though she probably thinks their my demon spawn. She hates me.
Alex: (Doesn't hesitate) Yeah but to be fair she only heard the ugly things about you, just give her time and she'll calm down and be less horrible to you.
Izzie: I knew you had a sister but…I didn't think I would ever actually meet her.
Alex: Yeah, well when we were married, she and I weren't exactly close so…Amber is tough but she is not evil. If you could have anyone, be an aunt to those kids you hit the jackpot with her. I'm speaking as her brother and the guy who raised her. I can speak for her and I can tell you that you have nothing to worry about.
Izzie: (Gives a look) Even though she laid you out with one punch.
Alex: (Rubs his eye) I think that says a lot for what she's gonna do to the first guy that breaks Alexis's heart.
Izzie: (Grins) And here I thought I was gonna have to worry about an assault charge for you.
Alex: (Chuckles) Tell me about it.
Izzie: …How much longer are you gonna stay?
Alex: Uh just till this Friday then I leave and head back to Seattle so I can explain all this to Jo and pray that she doesn't kill me.
Izzie: She is definitely gonna kill you and if by some miracle she doesn't then we need to make an official plan on how to handle…this.
Alex: (Sighs) Yeah, I'll call you when I get a reaction from Jo and we can talk about what to do. I want to be in their lives Iz, you know I do.
Izzie: I know and I also know that they are lucky to have you as a dad at any capacity.
(Alex grins gratefully and heads downstairs with Izzie to get food)
CUT TO THE TWINS ROOM
(Amber sits behind Alexis doing a Dutch braid on her hair while Eli plays with his action figures)
Amber: (Chuckling) You know your dad used to do this for me. He would do my hair and try to do a Dutch braid to keep my hair together but he was horrible at it. It would take him an hour and the thing still fell apart because he didn't know what to do with hair due to him being a guy.
Alexis: (Giggles)
Amber: Yeah, I resorted to letting my hair down or just doing a ponytail nothing else. Does your mom do your hair a lot?
Alexis: Yeah, she does it really pretty and high up so it doesn't get in the cupcakes or cookies.
Amber: Oh, you bake?
Alexis: Mommy teaches us, she knows how to make cookies and cakes and brownies and pies. I can make cookies by myself; they have chocolate and sprinkles in them.
Amber: (Grins) Really? Well maybe you can make some for me later I would love some sugar in this mouth.
Alexis: (Giggles) …Is daddy's wife nice?
Amber: (Shocked but continues braiding) You know about Jo? He told you?
Alexis: (Nods) He says that she's a very nice lady who is very smart and loves princess movies too, is that true?
Amber: (Chuckles) I don't know about the princess part but yes, she is the nicest person you will ever meet and the smartest surgeon you will ever see in an O.R. you know she is helping your auntie Mer make mini livers so that the body doesn't need a transplant to replace your bad liver.
Alexis: Daddy told me that too, he also said that she will love to meet us is that true?
Amber: Um…I think she'll be shocked at first but then she will meet you guys and love you like her own so you have to do the same. You have to be nice to her and know her so you guys can love her as much as you love your parents, do you think you can do that?
(The twins nod)
Amber: (Finishes the braid) Okay we're done here. How about you guys go downstairs and get the kitchen ready so you can teach me how to make those cookies you guys love so much, what do you say?
Eli and Alexis: Yay!
(The twins run downstairs leaving Amber in their room. She goes to Alexis's brush and pulls out a blond strand with a follicle in it putting it in a Ziploc bag before going downstairs)
THAT NIGHT AT DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY
(Amber and Levi stand outside a clinic where they run genetics testing)
Amber: (Holds the Ziploc bag) All right this one hair follicle should be enough to test against me and then I will know for sure and will either full accept my auntie role or tell Alex and he will lash out at his liar of an ex and we go back to Seattle and never come back to this god forsaken state again.
Levi: (Uncertain of her plan) Amber, your brother said to trust him and you are going behind his back doing what he told you not to do. Are you sure you want to do this?
Amber: Someone has to do this Levi and it's not gonna be Alex so I have to not for me but for him and for Jo.
(Levi sighs and walks with Amber inside the clinic)
TO BE CONTINUED
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? I LIKE THE REST OF YOU HATED HOW THEY WROTE ALEX'S DEPARTURE SO I DECIDED TO INCLUDE THE SECRET FAMILY BUT INSTEAD ALEX CHOOSES TO STAY WITH JO INSTEAD LIKE HE SHOULD HAVE.