hope you guys enjoy this story :) something I haven't written before but I'm really glad I did. and it got me out of my writing slump (mostly)...enjoy!
"Wave goodbye to Daddy," Amelia said to Scout hoisting the growing baby year old higher onto her hip. Scout babbled and flapped both his hands, although he was paying zero attention to his father pulling out of Mer's driveway and taking off down the street. He was more interested in trying to wriggle out of Amelia's grasp because he saw dirt. Cousins must be alike or maybe it was just boys, because ever since Scout had discovered dirt, he was obsessed.
While Amelia didn't care if Scout got messy, it was just after breakfast time and Amelia did not feel ready to have mud everywhere so early in the morning. So she and Scout played inside, had lunch, then hung out with Mer and her kids before Amelia took Scout outside. Scout went straight for the nearest flower box that Bailey had flooded and leaped right in much to Amelia's chagrin. But she didn't say a word, just laughed and took pictures and he played. There was something mesmerising about watching the child-like joy in her son's eyes while he did something as simple as played with dirt.
Link and Amelia were long over romantically. Amelia would always love him and be thankful for the love they once shared and still share for Scout, but they just weren't cut out to be together as a couple. Wanting two different futures will do that, as one person is always bound to resent the other for it. It was okay though, because Amelia had Kai and Link had found something in Jo Wilson. When Link and her were together, Amelia never worried about Link and Jo and even now she didn't mind how fast it had happened. Sometimes two people aren't meant to be, but that doesn't mean their love life is doomed forever.
Amelia sent off some pictures of Scout to Link, then opened up a text from Kai. Want to meet up at Joe's for a not-drink and fries? The doctor had asked.
I've got Scout for the next couple days, so sadly I'll have to pass. Next time! Amelia replied. She then sent a video of Scout jumping in a giant mud puddle to Kai, along with the caption: Instead I'll be cleaning this guy up.
As the afternoon turned to evening, Amelia started to yawn and decided they had been outside long enough. She gingerly picked up Scout and plunked him straight in the bathtub, clothes and all. Once he was all squeaky clean and in a fresh outfit, Amelia headed back downstairs and decided that dinner sounded like a good idea. But before she could ask Scout what he wanted or choose for herself, there was a knock at the door. Puzzled because practically everyone that would come over had a key already, Amelia left Scout in the living room and went to answer it. To her surprise, her partner was at the door and grinned as Amelia took in the sight before her eyes. "Kai? What are you doing here?"
Kai held up a take out food box and some sparkling juice. "I know you have Scout tonight so I though I'd come over and we can have our own kind of date. I also saw the video of the mud-covered child and thought you might need adult company."
Amelia smiled wider as she let Kai into the foyer and shut the door behind them. "Thanks, you're right. But you didn't have to do that," she said.
"I wanted to," Kai replied, without hesitation. A comfortable silence settled in, as Amelia led Kai into the living room and tried not to scream excitedly inside. It was like she was a teenager all over again, sneaking her partner into the house without anyone knowing. Luckily Mer had taken Ellis to a playdate, dropped Zola off at the mall with a friend, and went to watch Bailey's baseball game. Having Scout around made sense, but attempting to chat while three other kids ran around would be a whole other story.
Scout was toddling around in the baby-proofed living room and looked up when Kai walked in. "Tall," he stated, pointing at Kai's shoes.
Amelia scooped her son off the floor and stepped towards Kai. "They are tall, aren't they. And you like their shoes." Scout nodded, his big blue eyes watching Kai's every move.
"I like your shoes too, buddy," Kai said, gently poking the bottom of Scout's crocs. While Amelia didn't exactly think that shoes for a toddler in the house were necessary, she did have to admit that the crocs Link had bought were very cute.
"Daddy," Scout supplied.
Kai raised an eyebrow at Amelia, who quickly covered for her son. "Link bought him the crocs. He's not calling you Daddy, don't worry," Amelia rushed to say.
A short laugh burst out of Kai's mouth. "I wasn't thinking that," they said.
"Oh." Amelia tried not to look too embarrassed. Luckily Scout noticed the takeout box in Kai's hands and pointed.
"I haf sum?" He asked, twisting around to look at his mom for permission.
Amelia glanced towards Kai. "You gotta ask them. And remember your manners."
Scout ungracefully turned back towards Kai. "I haf sum? Pwease?"
"Of course," Kai answered, taking a seat on the couch and opening the cardboard box. The french fries were still warm as Scout reached out his small hand to grab one and put it in his mouth.
Settling back against the adjacent part of the couch, Amelia smiled over Scout's head at Kai. "Thank you for this. I wasn't expecting you to want to drop by when I'm on Mommy duty. Can't go out to a bar or pull long hours at the hospital, when I've got Scout," she explained.
"I understand," Kai said, waving their hand dismissively. "Besides, I like Scout. He's the coolest kid I know. Should we open the sparkling juice as well?"
"Sure, I'll just grab us some glasses."
"Sit. I'm very capable of finding where you keep the glasses. I know you don't drink, but will you sip from a wine glass?"
That earned a chuckle from Amelia. "That's perfectly fine. Wine glasses are on the top shelf in the cupboard right of the sink. Away from Bailey's antics. Mer's son," added Amelia, clarifying that they were talking about a growing boy and not the Chief at Grey Sloan.
While Scout chowed down on the fries—Amelia snuck some too—Kai poured the sparkling juice and raised their glass. "I'm not one for sappy cheers, but I think a toast is in order. What should we celebrate?" Kai asked.
Amelia thought for a moment. "I'm still riding the high of the craniotomy I performed last week. We could cheers to that? Or not, because that wasn't something we did together."
"Hmm." Kai opened their mouth to suggest something, but nothing was coming to mind right away.
Suddenly Scout thrust a fry in his mother's face and excitedly shouted, "French fry!"
"That's a great toast idea," Kai seconded Scout's outburst. "What do you say, Amelia?" They said with a light-hearted twinkle in their eye.
Amelia's gaze shifted from her son's beaming face, to Kai's kind one. She was so lucky, so damn lucky for these two people in her life, amongst all the other good things. Without any further hesitation. Amelia clinked her glass against Kai's and smiled as she said, "To french fries!"
find me on tumblr at thedefinitionofendgame. thanks for reading!