It had been six weeks since Joshua Daniels, PFC, had died on his operating table. Even though the young soldier's body had been shipped back to the US for burial, Owen still could not forget him. That was because his promise to the young man haunted him every day. Owen still had the picture of Josh's family with him. He had started carrying it around in his wallet, just like Josh did. Whenever he opened his wallet, there they were - Josh's beautiful wife and his pretty baby girls staring back at him. He found himself looking at their picture every day. Somehow, it just made him feel better, seeing them.
He was going on leave now. His official base was Fort Clemson in California. Instead, he was heading to Seattle, first, to see his mom. He hadn't told her that he was coming home so it was a surprise. He had two weeks' leave and it was a relief to get away from the desert heat. From the airport, he had stopped to buy flowers for his mom. He rang the doorbell, excited to see his mom. "Coming," he heard his mother's cheerful voice say.
When she opened the door, he said, "Hi, mom." His mother didn't know whether to cry or laugh. She was so happy that there were tears coming down her face.
"Don't cry, mom," he said, as he gave her a hug. His mom, Irene, wrapped her arms around her baby boy. They still had their arms around each other when they stepped into the house. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Irene said. "I would have cooked something for you."
"Aw, mom, I didn't want you making such a big fuss," he told her. "Besides, I wanted it to be a surprise and it can't be a surprise if I tell you beforehand."
"I am just so happy to see you, son," Irene said. She just couldn't believe her big, strong, handsome son was there in the living room. "How long are you staying?"
"I have two weeks leave," Owen said. "I will be here for a couple of days, then there is something I have to do and then, I will probably be back, before I go back to the desert."
"Okay, that's good," Irene said. "By the way, I know this may not be something that you want to talk about but Beth has been around. She has been giving me the third degree, asking what went wrong and why you wanted to break up with her. It has been quite difficult, I must say."
"Ah, Beth," Owen said, ruefully. "I am sorry that you had to deal with this."
"But did you have to do it the way you did it?" she asked. "I mean I never thought Beth was the one for you but you were a grown man and maybe, you knew better than me. She is just so clingy and needy a person."
"I guess that is one of the reasons that I thought it wouldn't work. I think I needed to end it. It was not fair to her to have her believing that we actually had a future," Owen said, shaking his head. "Maybe how I did it was not the best way but when it came to Beth, there was no way that would make the blow of it even easier. She would be hurt, no matter how I did it. She kept writing me about all of her plans about our future. I couldn't let that continue. She needs somebody that wants that future with her and it wasn't me."
Irene shook her head. "I hope you don't run into her while you're here. That would not be very pleasant." Owen replied, "It would seem that it might be better but if I am going to run into her, I am not going to flee."
"Ah, okay," Irene said. "Let's see what is in the cupboard and maybe, we can make you a little something." Owen grinned. After the food he got in the army, there was nothing quite like his mom's home cooking. It was going to be a very good night.
The next few days were very enjoyable for Owen. He caught up with old friends, some of whom he hadn't seen in years. Since the age of 18, Owen had lived out of Seattle. First, there was college at Northwestern, then Harvard Medical School, then residency at Mass Gen, then fellowship training at the Shock Trauma Center in Maryland. It was great catching up with friends and to find out what was going on in their lives. He was a little surprised by how many of them were married, engaged or already had kids. Everyone had heard that he had broken up with Beth, it seems. Apparently, she had complained bitterly to anyone who would listen about Owen breaking up with her. He was embarrassed by it because he wished that Beth would have the good sense to keep matters between them private.
He was having a get-together at his house, one night. He had planned to fly to Georgia, the next day to visit Cristina and her kids. He only planned to spend one day and one night there. He hoped he could meet the family, relay Josh's last words and maybe, take them out to dinner, if they liked. He had explained the situation to his mom, who had wondered why he would need to go to Atlanta on his very short break. He said it was something he had to do. He also showed his mother the picture of Josh's family. When she took one look at them, she understood, immediately. He was glad that his mother was the kind of woman who would.
The informal party was a great success. It was just good friends, delicious food, lots of drinks and interesting conversation. It was turning out to be a really great night. Even his mom was enjoying herself. He was a little bit worried that she wouldn't since no one would be her age at the party. Still, she was having a grand old time, chatting with his friends. Mama Hunt was always the life of the party. He heard the doorbell ring and he shouted across the room to his mom that he would get it. He got the shock of his life when he saw Beth standing on the stoop.
"Well, aren't you going to invite me in?" she asked. He politely nodded and turned his body to let her in. He had not invited Beth to the party but it seemed that she had found out about it.
"Good evening, Beth," he said, taking her coat and hanging it up in the hallway closet. "There are lots of food and drinks, so help yourself to anything." When his other guests saw Beth enter the party, there was an audible gasp in the air. They were shocked that she would show her face, given how bitter she was about the break-up and the terrible names she had called Owen. Irene went on full alert, wondering if Beth was going to create a scene.
For the first hour of Beth's appearance at the party, things appeared to be fine, though she had imbibed a tremendous amount of alcohol. She looked a great deal more than tipsy, so Owen went to her and told her that maybe it was a good idea, if she slowed down on the drinks. She was greatly affronted by his suggestion and got extremely angry. "You have no right to tell me anything anymore. You broke it off with me!" she screamed.
"While that is true, Beth, you are in my mother's house and I would prefer people not get drunk and cause trouble," he told her.
"Trouble! You think I am going to cause trouble. I am just having a good time in my former fiancé's house. That is all," she said. "At least you can allow me that pleasure. I mean we're not getting married, after all. Let me take from you what I can." She laughed derisively. Everyone was starting to stare.
"Maybe you should leave, now," Owen quietly urged, as he tried to direct her to the front door.
"Never!" she screamed at him. "You broke up with me in a two-line email." She was starting to create a major scene. Irene could take it no more and she rushed forward. "Beth," she said in a very firm voice. "I think maybe it is time you leave. Thank you for coming." Beth stared at Irene, as if she was speaking a foreign language. But after two minutes, Beth finally nodded. Owen called her a cab and she left. It left a sour taste in his mouth. The rest of the evening continued but the ambience had been changed because of the confrontation with Beth. He felt glad that he was leaving for Georgia, the next day. It gave him a chance to get away from the Beth debacle for a while. Still, he felt sorry because of the pain he caused her.
As he stepped out of the airport, he could immediately feel the change in the weather from Seattle to Atlanta. It was hot and humid. He had rented a car and drove to the town near Fort Williamson. He booked into an off-base hotel and then, drove to the base. He showed them his military ID, explained why he was there and asked for directions to the housing area. When he got there, he asked a few more questions and finally got the street where the Daniels house was. He parked his vehicle in front of the house. The front door was open and there were boxes on the front porch. It was a rather nondescript house but it was clear that it was being well taken care of. There were flowers on either side of the walkway to the house. He got out of the car and had almost made it to the front door, when a tiny toddler came rushing out of the house and hugged his leg. "Daddy," she screamed, happily. He looked down at the toddler. This was Laurel, he knew. Then, another little girl came out of the house. She was a slightly bigger version of Laurel. This had to be Iris.
"No, Laurel, not daddy," Iris told the toddler and tried to remove the younger girl's arms from around Owen's leg. Owen looked down at them. They were so pretty with their mom's dark curls and their father's green eyes. Then, she came out of the house. He could not believe his eyes. His breath was taken away.
"Oh, I am so sorry," the woman said. She was wearing a plain white tee-shirt and dark skinny jeans. Her dark curls framed her lovely face. She came to him and took her children's hands into her own. She continued, "Laurel mistakes every tall man in uniform as her dad." Owen found himself tongue-tied, unable to speak. He stared at her.
"Sir?" she said in a questioning tone. "Is there something you need? Is it about Josh?" Owen finally found his voice.
"I am so sorry for your loss," he said. She nodded to acknowledge his sentiments and he could tell there was a wetness around her eyes.
"Did the army send you?" she asked. He shook his head. "No, ma'am, I came on my own accord. I am Major Owen Hunt and I am an army surgeon, deployed in Iraq."
"Oh," she said, a little puzzled. "Well, I am Cristina Yang-Daniels and these are my children, Iris and Laurel. Laurel is a little confused, right now. That's why she came out and grabbed your leg. My children miss their father."
"Yes, I know who you are," he said. "Josh told me."
"You know Josh?" her voice broke. The tears started streaming down her face. Owen was sorry that he was causing her such pain.
"Why don't we get out of the sun and go inside?" he suggested. She nodded and he followed her and the children back into the house. He looked around. It seemed like they were in the midst of packing. He wondered if they were moving.
"Have a seat," she said. Owen sat on an armchair, while Cristina sat on the sofa, with her children sitting on either side of her. She asked, again. "How do you know Josh?"
Owen took a breath before he answered. "I am the surgeon who operated on him in Iraq." The house became silent with his admission.
A/N Please leave your thoughts and comments. Thanks for taking the time to do so. I do appreciate it.