Amelia POV

"Amelia, are you excited? Today is the big day!"

Callie came up to me outside of the daycare where I was getting Bella bundled for our walk to the car.

"Huh?"

"Today? Owen will be home just in time for Christmas."

"Oh! Yeah, of course. I can't wait to see him and I know Bella is excited too. Sorry, I was on call last night so I didn't get much sleep and Bella is teething so any time I wasn't in surgery, I was trying to console her and get her to sleep. We are both just exhausted."

Callie gave me a sympathetic look. She knew how difficult of a time I was having doing it all on my own since Owen went overseas for three months to Bahrain, and I had to keep working now at 7 months pregnant and being both mom and dad for an eleven and a half month old teething baby. I was definitely proud of Owen for serving our country but I was more than ready for him to be home for good now.

"Do you still want me, Arizona, and Sofia to come over for Christmas Eve dinner?"

"Yeah, I made the lasagna yesterday before I came in so it just has to be heated up again. Are you still bringing over dessert?"

"Arizona made these peppermint and chocolate brownies, and I made a cheesecake. You should go try to nap before you and Arizona take the girls to go pick up Owen at the airport. She's going to pick you up around 4. I should be done around 5 so I will warm up the lasagna. You guys should be back around 6:30 which will be perfect time to eat."

"Sounds good. I'll nap as long as Bella does. Oh and Meredith wanted me to tell you their flight touched down in New York just fine and her and the kids are safe at my mom's."

"I'm glad to hear it. Okay, I am going to visit with Sofia before my double hip replacement. You go home and sleep. Be careful out there, the roads are icy and snow is falling hard."

I strapped Bella into her stroller and gave Callie a quick hug.

"Thank you. I'll see you tonight. Call me if anything comes up."

Callie was right. The snow was falling fast and the roads were disastrous. My car was not four wheel drive so there would be no way for me to get it to the airport. Callie's jeep was a four wheel drive so Arizona would have to borrow it when it came time to pick him up. I was just glad to get home in one piece. Despite my exhaustion, I kept it together long enough to bathe Bella, give her ibuprofen, and nurse her to sleep before I showered and laid in my robe on my bed for a nap. My excitement of seeing my husband in a few hours kept me awake for a while then suddenly I was deeply asleep.

My bed felt warm, full, and secure. I was finally getting good sleep when I heard a soft but deep voice speak. My eyes instantly bugged wide open. It was Owen. He was home and spooning me. I quickly turned to face him, cupping his cheeks with my hands and letting my thumb trace one of his cheekbones.

"Owen, you're home."

"Of course Mia. I missed you so much."

He pulled me closer to him as our lips came together for the first time in three very long months. In that moment everything in the world was right. Our kiss was long and passionate. We allowed each other to relearn how we tasted and felt to one another. I couldn't be any happier. The kiss finally parted with both of us sporting cheesy grins.

"I thought your flight didn't come in until tonight?"

"I saw the all the snow and ice that was predicted to come to Seattle so I pulled some strings to be able to catch an early flight so I can be home before we get snowed/iced in. Plus, it's Christmas Eve and I wanted to be home with my wife and daughter. That tour was rough."

"Rough? Do you want to talk about it?"

"Medically, it went great. We were able to set up two clinics in these small destitute towns. We were able to do many surgeries and cure a lot of civilians of their illnesses and diseases. I just felt bad I wasn't here with you and Bella. I missed her first steps... And you being pregnant, I've missed three ultrasounds. How is our little guy?"

"Growing fast. He kicks a lot and doesn't like when I'm moving around too much. Just wait until Bella wakes up and you see her. She's growing like a weed and her hair is getting long. She's so perfect."

"I know she is. I peeked in on her when I first got home. Arizona, Callie, and Sofia are downstairs. They are watching The Polar Express and dinner is warming up in the oven.

"They knew about this?"

"Oh yeah. I called them a couple days ago but told them to just play along to the original plans. I wanted to surprise you."

"I was definitely surprised. I had no idea and was concerned about how we could pick you up safely. Also, it concerns me I never heard anyone walking around the house, let alone you crawl into bed behind me."

Owen just chuckled and kissed my forehead.

"You were snoring. I could tell you were exhausted."

I playfully smacked his chest.

"I don't snore."

"Oh, you were definitely snoring. It was so cute."

"And you're just a creepy old man who laid there watching a pregnant woman sleep."

Owen scoffed and gave me a grin.

"Hey, I'm not old. I'm only 37 and you are turning 33 in February."

"Older than me."

"I guess. Should we go wake up sleeping beauty so we can eat dinner? It's Christmas Eve and we have guests downstairs."

"They're family now pretty much. You go wake her up, I know she will be glad to see her daddy. I need to get dressed and put myself together first."

"Sounds good. I love you Amelia. I'm so glad to be home."

"I love you too Owen. I'm so happy you're home again. Promise me that's your last tour?"

I sat up and so did he.

"I do promise. I don't want to miss anything else with Bella, and nothing at all with our son. Plus, I hate being without you. You're my better half for a reason."

I crinkled my nose at his cheesiness with the last part.

"Very sweet. Now go so we don't keep them waiting too much longer. Then we'll really get to welcome you home later tonight when Bella goes down for the night."

"I love the sound of that."

He kissed my forehead then got up and went down the hall. Now I was tasked with finding an outfit that made me look good regardless of my big ole' baby bump. I had to impress him since it was our first night reunited.

~So, I am so incredibly sorry it has been over two months since I last updated this story. I'd love to blame it on writer's block, which definitely played into it, but I've been struggling pretty bad lately with my anxiety and depression and I've been in a rut. However, I really wanted to write a Christmas chapter which will be next. Please forgive me for failing to update and for this very uneventful chapter. I will fill you in more on Owen's tour and the time skip with the chapters to come. Please leave a review letting me know what you think. Thanks!~

P.S I promise to start updating at least weekly again.