Chapter 12

A/N: I hope you'll enjoy this new chapter, which is focusing on the Shepherd's.

Last two days were tough on Amelia. After the meeting she was so emotionally drained that even the never-stopping big brain of hers needed to shut down and get some rest. Not sleeping for almost 48 hours gave her the chance to sleep without her thoughts bugging her.

Derek and Meredith stopped yelling at each other, but consequently they stopped talking to each other at all. Tension was overflowing the air in the 'Dream house'. One could feel it from a mile afar, but that night Amelia was so deep in her own mess that she couldn't bother with what was going on.
Of course she wanted her brother and sister-in-law to figure everything out and move on with their happy McFamily life, but she knew Derek very well. He could be arrogant and self-centered sometimes, especially when it came to his career.
At times Amelia understood and even admired that ambition her brother had. After all, growing up she idolized him. And there was no doubt about that. But sometimes he could mix up his priorities and get lost in all the possibilities.

The next morning Amelia was awaken by her little crying nephew. Given the crying and all the other sounds coming from the kitchen she could assume her brother was alone with the kids, unsuccessfully trying to get them ready for day care.

For a minute she considered staying quietly in bad, but she couldn't help feeling sorry for Derek. Sometimes it was fun seeing him struggle, but not that much when it was so early in the morning and so much noise and crying. So she got up and went to try and help.

''Oh my, what a mess... I see you could use some help.'' – Amelia tried hard to sound cheerful. Not that successfully, though.

''Good morning to you too, Amy.'' – Derek answered slightly irritated, while trying to make Bailey get out of his PJ.

''Hey, let me take care of him. You go and get yourself together. Take a shower or something.'' – she said as gently as she could and took Bailey from his arms.

At first he just stood there, lost in his thoughts. Finally he said – ''I'm not going to DC, Amy.''

She sighed and didn't know what to say except – ''I'm sorry...''. Then she thought about what he said.
''Wait. That means I lose my job as the head of neuro?''

''I don't know. Paperwork is already done, so...I'm really not sure what will happen. All I know is that one rough conversation with the President awaits.'' – he frowned.

Bailey was restless in Amelia's arms, so she turned to him and said – '' Hey buddy, it's time to get dressed. Let's go and make you the most handsome Shepherd boy.''

Little guy loved his aunt Amy, so he didn't make a fuss again. She tickled him on the way to his room and laughter finally broke through the wall of tension in the air.

As she was tending her nephew Zola came to the door and called with teary eyes – ''Auntie Amy...''

''What's up, Zozo?'' – Amelia turned.

''Daddy didn't comb my hair right and it looks all ugly. Everybody's going to tease me.'' – she let few big tears fall.

''Don't worry, princess. We'll fix that.'' – Amelia winked at her little niece.

Zola nodded, hesitated for a second and then asked the question, obviously afraid of the answer, - ''Is daddy going to leave us? I try to be good, but Bailey always cries. And mommy and daddy yell a lot...''

Amelia was stunned with the question and she felt so sad for the little girl. She was so innocent and didn't deserve to worry or feel that way. She picked Bailey up and came closer to Zola.

''Of course not, Zozo. Grown-ups fight sometimes, but that's not your fault. They both love you a lot. You and your brother. And I love you very veeery much, princess Zola.''

That calmed the little girl a bit. She brushed her tears with her sleeve and smiled to her aunt.
''I love you too, auntie Amy.''

Those words warmed Amelia's heart and she smiled back to Zola.
''Now, let's fix that mess your daddy made.''

Both of them chuckled and Zola took Amelia's hand.

Few minutes later Amelia heard Derek calling for her from the kitchen.
''Amy, your phone is ringing. Isn't today your day off?''

Suddenly, it dawned on Amelia that Alison's shift may be over, so it could be her calling.

''Do you want me to get it? It's an unknown number...''

Her heart started racing at the thought of Derek answering, so she rushed to get the phone, before he did.
''Thanks Derek. I'll get it. The kids are in Zola's room ready.''- Amelia informed her brother, then answered the phone – ''Hello.''

''Hi. It's Alison. I'm sorry for calling this early, but...''

''No, no. It's okay.'' – Amelia jumped in promptly, but she sounded like she was in a big hurry.

''You sound like you're out of breath. Are you okay? '' – Alison asked.

''I was just helping my brother with the kids, so I rushed to get the phone. I'm okay.'' – Amelia chuckled softly.

''Well, I'm glad I didn't wake you up.'' – Alison chuckled back.

'' You didn't, don't worry.'' – Amelia couldn't help but grin.

''Well...I was thinking...we could maybe have some breakfast or take a walk or something? If you're not busy. You told me to call, so...''

Amelia could feel how uncomfortable it was for Alison to ask her that, so she responded quickly.
''Or we can do both? When do you want me to pick you up?

'' I would like that.'' – she retorted – ''Let me just take a shower.''

'' Is half an hour, okay?'' – Amelia inquired, while Derek walked in with Zola and Bailey. He lifted his eyebrows and gave her a questioning look.

''That sounds great. See you then.''

''See you.'' – Amelia said and with that the conversation was over.

But Derek was still staring at her. She tensed up and got scared. She hoped he would just let it go, but he didn't.
''Who was that? So early and it's your day off...''

Amelia's heart was pounding. For a second there she felt unstable on her own two feet. She was afraid of telling the truth. He would be hurt, and when it came to her life choices he was almost always very jugdemental.
She did make bad choices in her past, no denying that, but a little understaning and compassion wouldn't hurt. And there was no way he could give her that at that exact time. He was in the middle of a huge fight with Meredith, so if there was a really bad timing for that kind of revelation that would be it.
So instead of telling him everything she decided to keep it to herself for a little longer. There was always tommorow when he will be more clear-headed and hopefully more accepting.

''Noone. Don't worry about that. Do you need something else?''- Amelia answered as nicely as she could.

''You're acting wierd... We are just heading to the hospital. Thank you for the help.'' – he replied, still very suspicious of his sister.

After taking the shower Alison felt so much lighter, like the water helped washing away few pounds of worry, fear and exhaustion off of her. She sighed with relief. Nerves were still there. She couldn't help it. But at the same time she was excited too. It meant so much to her to see that Amelia was trying, truly trying to be there.
It was very obvious to Alison that guilt and regret were eating Amelia alive. She could see it in her eyes and she felt a little sorry for her, but the anger of being given away still didn't subside completely. There was no guarantee that anger would ever subside.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the phone signaling a new text message. It was from Amelia.

She opened it and read: I'm in the parking lot xoxo

Sudden nerves hit Amelia as she saw Alison approaching the car. She noticed and definetely recognized the way she walked. It remineded her so much of her best friend. Sad smile flashed on her face. It felt so unfair that he wasn't around to see his daughter being this incredible young person. So unfair he didn't get his second chance like she did. Amelia never stopped wondering why was that. Why she made it and he didn't?

Lost in her thoughts Amelia didn't realize when Alison got in the car.

''Hii there, you seem far away from this planet.'' – Alison smiled softly.

''Hi sweety'' – Amelia smiled back – ''Yeah, my brain does that sometimes.''

''I know what you mean. It happens to me all the time. I just zone out.''

They both chuckled at that similarity they shared. Then Alison continued – ''Where are we going?''

''I thought maybe we can go to Pike Place Market to get something to eat and then in the park that's just north of the Market. What do you think?'' – Amelia inquired.

''I'm new here so I have really no idea where I am.'' – Alison chuckled – ''But what you said sounds great.''

''I love that Market. Seeing the large crowd of people there reminds me of New York streets, and making through the impenetrable crowd, colliding with people. And then when I come to the park behind the Market I can't help but feel relaxed while looking at the water. It's just like walking in the Central Park. Gives you little peace inside the bee's nest.'' – Amelia concluded with a little melancholy.

''You miss home, don't you?'' – Alison understood the feeling very well.

''Well, I miss how it used to be, way before my life turned to the wrong path. When my dad was still around, Derek, Liz and I unseparable and always bugging Nancy and Kate, mom trying hard not to always be the bad cop in the family... Those days were fun.'' – Amelia said keeping her eyes on the road.

''Woow, you're mom gave birth to so many of you. Poor woman.'' – it flew out of Alison's mouth.

Amelia laughed – ''Yeah, five of us. Nancy, Kathleen, Derek, Liz and I. We were a hand-full.''

''Where are they all?'' – Alison was curious.

''Derek is here. You know him? Golden boy of the family. Nancy is the oldest. She's an OB/GYN and lives in Connecticut. She has five children, three girls and two boys. Kate is the second oldest. She's a psychiatrist. She too has five children, but four girls and one boy. Liz is a pediatritian and has four children, three girls and a boy. Kate and Liz both live in NYC, just like my mother. Her name is Carolyn. She's been a professional nanny for my sister's children for ages now, but once upon a time she was a nurse.'' – Amelia tried to be informative.

Alison was honestly stunned – ''Your family is huge. And all of you are doctors. It sure runs in the family, I see.''
Then she realized that Amelia didn't mention her father. She was hesitant to ask, but she did – ''And what happened to your dad?''

Amelia sort of expected that question to come up. Alison was smart enough to notice that he wasn't mentioned. But it was still hard to answer.

''He was killed by two men in our shop. Derek and I were there. I was only five when it happened. He wouldn't give up the watch my mom bought him for their anniversary and they just killed him. That changed my life a lot.'' – she frowned.

Alison was shocked. It pained her to see Amelia so sad. She couldn't imagine how hard it was for her. There was nothing she could say to make it better, so she just whispered, chocked up herself – ''I'm really sorry.''

Amelia parked her car and before getting out she smiled softly at Alison.
''It was a very long time ago.'' – she paused for a second, not wanting to talk about the bad stuff anymore, and continued – ''Now let's go. Aren't you hungry? 'Cause I'm starving.''

A/N: Amelia and Alison are finally getting to know each other and bonding. Who's happy about that? What are your thoughts on when is the right time for Derek to find out? I would love to hear your opinion. Thank you for reading.