Derek gently gripped Cristina's arms. "He remembers you. Cristina try and relax. This is great news. He woke up. Be happy."
"Then why is-" She began.
Derek immediately cut her off. "Cristina stop thinking like a wife for a second. Think like a doctor just in this moment. It's not like the movies where the person in the coma wakes up right away and is able to think and talk normally. It's very rare that it ever happens. He's confused, that is normal. He has no memory of the accident; give him some time to fathom all this information."
Cristina sighed and placed her hands on her hips. She bowed her head. "Sorry. This whole thing has just been…"
"I know." Derek assured her. "Right now he can only slowly respond to what is going on. Just try and remain patient. He's awake, let's focus on that and take baby steps to get him responding normally, okay?"
"Okay," Cristina agreed.
- - - - - - -
Cristina was tired of waiting. The wait for Owen to regain a full conscious level nearly deteriorated her patience. However with the help of her mothers, friends and most of all the twins, they managed to help Owen regain his ability to talk normal.
At first, progress was relatively slow. It took a full day for Owen to form more than one word and when he did they were great comforts to his family. Ethan and Evan raced to Owen's hospital room, overjoyed that their father was done taking his lengthy nap. Their grandmas Sarah and Helen helped them up on their father's bed, who was now propped up in a sitting position. They hugged their father tightly and smile the brightest smiles as they looked into his eyes.
It took Owen a few seconds to acknowledge who exactly they were. He did not forget them, but processing everything was a little slow. As they remained on his lap his lips slowly began turning up into a small smile. A few minutes later the words "My boys" escaped his mouth, which sounded very raspy. He remembers, Cristina thought. When the time came for Ethan and Evan to leave his mouth formed a full smile and attempted to kiss them good night.
Cristina was more talkative during Owen's second night awake. She was filling him in on details that he missed while he was in his comatose state. She mostly spoke of Ethan and Evan, and how she slipped up and introduced them to chocolate bars. As she continued Owen's eyes stayed glued to her. He admired her face, her frazzled tendrils, and finally could not take his eyes off of her lips. When she finally finished speaking Owen opened up his hand towards her. She rushed to his side and placed her hand in his. "What is it sweetie?" He wanted to respond. He wanted to cup her face and kiss her passionately and convey how much he loved her in a kiss, but his brain was slow at telling his body to move or his mouth to speak. In his mind he was frustrated but by the expression he wore on his face you would never have guessed it. After a few moments of silence Owen finally tugged at her hand and Cristina lied down beside Owen, resting on his chest. At last the words "Love you" escaped his mouth. In that moment she breathed the greatest relief of her life. He does remember me, she thought. Before falling asleep in the familiar and loving arms she missed so much, she lifted up her head and gazed deeply into his eyes. "If you fall asleep tonight, please wake up again in the morning."
As the week wore on Derek reassured Cristina that the type of brain damaged Owen experienced would not interfere in recovering just as he was before. He was more than positive all his memories would still be there and very capable to function just as he did before the coma. And he was right.
As the weeks wore on Derek continued with test, making sure Owen was alright. He did simple exercises with Owen such as puzzles and equations, all of which he passed. Alex would visit every day, making simple conversation about his kids, Izzie, or sports, and occasionally informing and reassuring him the Trauma wing was being well taken care of.
Owen regained all movement in his body. He needed a couple of sessions of therapy to become completely familiarized with moving his legs and his twins and Cristina were there every step of the way. With much patience all of his memories as child up to the day before Ethan and Evan's first birthday re-flooded his mind.
Cristina was elated the day Owen got discharged from the hospital. Not only excited to have the family back in tact but happy to be getting away from Seattle Grace. She spent too many months living out of it. Both Owen and Cristina requested a leave of absence and the Chief was more than willing to approve it, stating for them to take as much time as they needed, but deep down he was really freaking out. He would miss his top Cardio and Trauma surgeon.
Owen's first night away from the hospital was wonderful. He enjoyed watching Cristina attempt to make baked ziti. It was of course a complete disaster, which brought about uncontrollable laughter from Owen and the twins. In the end, Cristina settled on the only 'dish' she could not screw up; sandwiches. Owen and the twins were comfortably sitting on the plush king size bed when Cristina brought 'dinner' to the bed.
Ethan and Evan situated themselves in the middle of the bed, nibbling on their sandwiches, while Owen and Cristina took post on each end.
Although looking forward to pasta, Owen was just grateful he was not eating anymore hospital food.
As Owen took the first bite of his sandwich Cristina spoke.
"I'm sorry I ruined the pasta. I'll practice tomorrow."
Owen swallowed. "Cristina, I'm the cook, remember? And besides I love your sandwiches. They're the best." With that he gave her a wink and devoured the rest of his sandwich.
Cristina just smiled. She admired the perfect night that was transpiring. Her wonderful husband was home, her twins elated and excited about that and the toy story movie they were all watching. Happiness had returned once again.
"Criiiiiiisssstttiiiiiiiinnnnaaaaaaaa, are you there?" Owen exaggerated.
"Huh?" She said shaking her.
"I asked if you were going to eat that," Owen repeated, pointing at her sandwich.
"Ohhh. No." Cristina handed over her sandwich.
Owen took a huge bite. "You okay?" He asked with his mouth full.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking is all."
Owen eyed her for awhile, and briefly thought of asking further questions but refrained.
Cristina averted her attention back to her twins. She watched them as they laughed uncontrollably, cheered, acted certain parts out with Owen and did their version of lip syncing.
"Let's get these guys in their cribs." Owen said as he got up from the bed.
"They look comfortable. Let's leave em."
Owen smiled. "Okay."
Cristina scurried off with the plates to the kitchen and grabbed Ethan and Evan's blankets on the way back to her bedroom. They each covered a twin and tucked them tightly in the center of the bed.
Owen and Cristina situated themselves on each side of the bed, acting as a safety barrier for their sons.
When all lights were out Owen leaned over his sons and captured Cristina's lips. They both missed that feeling, and within seconds the light kiss quickly turned passionate. Owen placed one hand on the back of her head, parted her lips with his tongue and slipped it inside her mouth. Before anymore tension or heat could rise between them, Cristina pulled away.
"Any more of that and our little ones will definitely be moved to their own beds."
Owen grinned. "Tomorrow night they should sleep in their own beds."
The next day Owen witnessed and recorded Ethan and Evan opening their presents from their first birthday. They received items they needed from their grandparents and items they wanted from their parents. Cristina had another Toy Story cake baked from their local bakery shop. She and Owen sang Ethan and Evan a very belated Happy Birthday. To their parents' amusement it took the twins six attempts to blow out their candle. Owen then told them to dive right in. Ethan picked up a big chunk of cake and shoved it in his mouth. Evan however practically dipped his whole face in the cake for a bite. When the laughter settled and both boys were cleaned up they made their way to their play area to enjoy their new toys, leaving Cristina and Owen to clean up the mess on the floor.
When everything was spic and span Owen and Cristina nestled on their sofa and admired their little ones.
"Thank you." Owen stated.
Cristina furrowed her brow. "For what?"
"For waiting for me. You knew how badly I wanted to be present for their first birthday. So thanks for waiting for me." He explained, and planted a gently kiss on her forehead.
By noon Owen was back in the swing of things with cooking. He made Ethan and Evan's favorite spaghetti and meat balls for lunch. It was messy, and most of it ended up on their clothes or the floor, but they loved it. As more of the day elapsed they went through all the motions and activities they used to, before the accident as if nothing had changed.
When night finally fell Owen kissed and hugged Ethan and Evan to pieces before tightly tucking them in their cribs. He lingered in their room a little longer tonight, admiring and being so grateful that he had such an amazing wife, children and most of all that he was alive. He eventually made it to his bedroom and reminded Cristina of just why he wanted the kids to sleep in their own bed tonight.
a/n: Read, review and hopefully enjoy. ;) I have not proof read this chapter yet so forgive any mistakes, I will fix them soon. I would also like to apologize for any wrong or incorrect medical talk in this fictional story. To the loyal readers, expect a time slight time jump in the next chapter. Thank you again for the reviews!