a/n: Sorry for the delay. I went into reader mode and was enjoying other fics. Short chapter but I should have another one up by the end of the day. With that said read, review and hopefully enjoy! :)
Owen was already breathing on his own, which brought immeasurable relief to Cristina, so the night he moved his fingers only intensified her longing and yearning for him. She missed him beyond belief. She yearned for his loving arms to be wrapped around her, for his lips to capture hers, to hear him utter the words "I love you". She was eager for his eyes to flutter open and become completely aware and conscious of his family awaiting him. She desperately ached for the fun loving father of her twins to return, and his significant breakthrough offered enormous hope that he would fully wake up soon.
Over the next five days Owen showed progressive signs of completely detaching from his comatose state.
One afternoon while Cristina was calming the tantrums of Ethan and Evan Owen showed another signal of life. The twins repeatedly said "choco, choco". It was their newly found way of asking for chocolate. In response Cristina repeatedly told them no. She regretted introducing it to them at such a young age, Owen would have been against it. In return Ethan and Evan stomped their feet and pouted. As Cristina grabbed her forehead and sighed deeply Owen's head moved from side to side. The surprised reaction that became plastered on Cristina's face silenced the twins and once again she tried to speak to him, hoping he would at last jerk awake. She had Shepherd page immediately but he explained how coming out of a coma can take time to fully disconnect.
Another sign of hope transpired during a routine round by a handful of nurses. Every morning they would shift and move Owen's limbs and body to prevent bed sores. During this rotation Owen's eyes fluttered open, revealing the deep blue ocean color he shared with his sons. His eye lids were open, but there was absolutely no emotion or state of consciousness in his stare, just blank. Once again, Cristina's hope heightened.
During her usual routine at night, Cristina comfortably situated herself in a chair and scooted it as close as she could get it to Owen's bed. This time as she reached and ran her hand down his arms and taking his hand he breathed deep. Slightly taken back Cristina immediately removed her hand from his. She briefly thought she was tired and imagined it but when she placed his hand in hers once more he breathed deep. It was far from her imagination, he was responding to her touch. She released his hands and caressed his cheek and his head shifted. She kissed his lips and although there was no response from his lips he once again took a deep breath.
In days to follow Owen would sporadically shift his head, move his fingers or another number of numerous movements. It was a painful wait and was quickly wearing down Cristina's patience. All these signals of life and he was still not fully conscious. It was starting to become frustrating.
- - - - - - - -
"Morning Cristina." Sarah greeted Cristina with a cup of coffee. "Here. Looks like you could use a pick me up."
Cristina forced out a smile. "Thank you Mrs. Hunt."
"So he still hasn't fully wakened up yet huh?" Sarah said, taking a seat beside Cristina.
She sighed. "No," she said rubbing her forehead.
Sarah reached out and touched Cristina's shoulder. "It'll happen soon sweetheart."
"Yeah?" Cristina said. "When? When is soon? He's giving off all these signs of life and still is not awake. When is soon going to happen?"
Sarah knew how hard this had been on Cristina so she did not mind the frustrated tone. She grabbed Cristina's hand and squeezed it firmly. "Hang in there sweetie. It is going to happen." Cristina's eyes were welling with tears, but stopped at the sounds of the familiar steps of her sons nearing the room.
"Mommy, Mommy." Ethan and Evan gave yelling into the room straight to their mothers arms.
She squeezed them tightly and kissed their foreheads. "I've missed you guys," she said looking into their eyes.
When they were done nuzzling in their mother's arms both twins turned their attention to Owen.
"Dada, dada." They looked to their mother. "Sheep?" Ethan asked.
"Yes baby, daddy is still sleeping."
Ethan and Evan turned to each other and stared before running to Owen's side. "Careful guys," Cristina said with worried eyes as they tried to climb up on the bed.
"Up, up." Both boys shouted in unison.
Cristina placed her coffee down to settle the boys down but was stopped by Owen's mom. "Let em. They miss their dad."
Cristina could not deny that. Ethan and Evan missed and ached for Owen just as much as she did. So she just watched as they did their best to wake him up. When their shouting efforts failed they resorted to touch. They each attempted to lift Owen's arms. "weech, weech." Their efforts saddened Cristina, she desperately wished Owen would wake up and brighten up their day, but this was one thing she had no control over. It was the worst feeling.
As the twins continued Cristina eventually smiled. Reach for the sky, she thought. Before she could delve deeper in her thoughts the sound of cheering little boys stopped her.
For the first time in weeks Owen's eyes finally held emotion, a sense of alertness, and consciousness.
Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh thank God."
Cristina eyes immediately began producing tears. Tears full of joy. Her husband was at last awake.
"Someone page Dr. Shepherd," Cristina yelled out in the hall to the nurses.
She then approached Owen and caressed his cheek. "Owen, God, I'm so glad you woke up. I love you so much. I'm so glad you came back to us."
In response Owen moved his head away from Cristina's hand. He was confused and disoriented, unaware of who exactly was touching or surrounding him. His eyes blinked constantly as if his brain were trying to grasp what was going on and where exactly he was at. The only word he managed to stutter out was "what?" It was clear he was slow at responding to the situation at hand.
Cristina pulled her hand back to her side. Does he remember me? She thought. Little doses of anxiety were creeping into her. She quickly left the room towards the nurses stations.
"Did any of you hear me?" she asked, becoming slightly exasperated. "Page Shepherd now!" She exclaimed and stormed back to Owen's room.
Rather than return to his side she took a seat and began fidgeting. She was nervous and frightful as she watched the twins and Sarah speak to a dazed and confused Owen.