Go Baby Grow

Chapter 20 – What Just Happened?

Monday, May 3rd

"Good morning," Owen hummed as he rolled onto the bed and kissed his wife. He'd already showered and shaved. He was in the process of dressing when he heard Amelia stir.

"Can you be pregnant for me today?" she begged.

He grinned and fell onto the bed. Turning his head to face her, he asked, "Why today?"

"My boobs are sore and growing, and my pants are starting to shrink," she explained with humor.

Owen snapped his fingers and commented, "I hate it when my pants shrink." He sat up and crawled up to her, rubbing his nose along her jaw line and slowly bringing a hand atop one of her breasts. "I can offer a massage," he mentioned with a flirty snicker.

"I'm sure you can," Amelia laughed. The couple started to coo and kiss. As he wrapped his arms around her, Amelia relaxed into his embrace. With calm happiness, she hummed, "I love your touch."

"Mmmm," Owen responded as he ran a hand through her hair. "I love your hair…" Then he kissed her neck and added, "and your skin…" He moved to her lips and tried to speak as he kissed her, "and your lips." The couple giggled at the mumbled sentiments.

Slipping out of their kiss, Owen moved his face a couple inches from Amelia's. He gazed down at her and shared, "You… are my beautiful, amazing, incredible soul mate."

"Wow," Amelia giggled with surprise. "What'd I do to deserve that, you wonderful and handsome man?"

Owen's temples wrinkled from the end of his eyes in a genuine, heartfelt smile, "I don't tell you often enough. We rush to get kids to school, we rush all day at work, we rush to prepare dinner, we spread ourselves razor thin helping with homework… I forget to say it."

With a soft whisper, Amelia replied, "I do too… Owen Hunt, I would marry you all over again. Without a doubt, I would re-live our lives together. I love you."

Tilting his head to the side, Owen teased, "Even the deployment? The recovery when I came home? Even the pissing matches in the OR?"

"Yeah," Amelia grinned. "Those are all part of what's made us who we are – individually and together."

"Even Nolan, Lissa, and Ryder's teen years and all the long, seemingly unending teen years to come?" he laughed.

"Well…" she hesitated. Suddenly, Amelia's eyes widened and she beamed. "Owen!"

"What is it?" Owen tilted his head, wondering.

"The baby. I felt it kick," she giggled.

Owen placed his hand on her bump and inquired with a wide smile, "Where?"

Moving his hand over, Amelia stated, "Right here. They're little kicks – I'm not sure you'll be able to feel them."

"Yeah," he grimaced, "I don't feel anything." He leaned down and stopped about an inch from where Amelia had set his hand. "Hey, little baby, it's your daddy."

Amelia giggled and announced, "The baby responded! It moved."

"Be gentle with your mommy," Owen instructed gently. "No sticking your foot up in her ribs or punching her and knocking the wind out of her." He chuckled and honed in on his wife as he approached her lips and kissed her gently.

"It's real," Amelia grinned and celebrated. "Our baby is real."

At that moment, they heard Olivia scream at Lucas, "Just because there's no door for my room doesn't mean you can come in. Get. Out. Lucas!"

"I need help with my tie," he moaned sadly.

"Find someone who cares, Squirt," Olivia snapped in response.

Lucas mustered up all his courage and declared, "You're a dummy head, Olivia Schmivia." Olivia threw something toward Lucas. It missed him and hit the wall with a loud clunk.

"Olivia," Owen called. Grumbling at Amelia, Owen added, "And they're real too…" Disappointed, he pulled back from his wife and sat up with a disappointed sigh.

"Leave me alone," Olivia screamed.

Ryder popped out of the bathroom, having just showered. With a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair dripping wet, he bellowed at his sister, "Olivia. Lose the attitude or I'll beat it out of you. Tell Luke you're sorry."

"No. Get away from me, Jerk," Olivia argued.

Ryder ran down the hall toward his sister's room. He placed his hands on either side of the door frame and dared her with a snarl, "Try that again, Princess."

"Daddddddd!" Olivia screamed as if her life was in danger.

Owen sighed, "Pardon me, Beautiful." He opened the Master Bedroom door. Lucas slid in and was pouting. He ran to Amelia seeking help with his tie.

Ria followed him, sharing, "Mama, I can't find my brush. Can I use yours?"

"You know where it is, Ree," Amelia consented as she worked on Luke's tie.

"Olivia," Owen sighed. "Is a week not long enough? Should I take away the following week too?"

"See, you hate me. You were waiting for a chance to make my life even more miserable, weren't you?" she insisted.

"Shut the hell up, Olivia. Your drama gives me a headache," Ryder yelled back at her.

"Ryder. Clothes. Now," Owen ordered, using the parenting method he used when Ryder was eight. Ryder tromped down the hallway and into his room. At the same time, Ria returned to her bathroom with Amelia's brush.

Olivia, deciding a moment of calm was a moment too long, proclaimed, "I hate living here."

"We hate you living here," Ryder responded through his closed door.

"Enough," Owen called out. "Everyone take care of their own needs and leave everyone else alone. Ryder, Olivia, no talking. At all. I don't want to hear your voices." He returned to the Master Bedroom and Lucas gazed up at him.

Whispering and displaying a scared expression, Luke sought to clarify, "Can I talk, Daddy?"

"Yes, Lucas, you can talk," Owen smiled. "Help me pick out a tie." Lucas followed his father and the two discussed their options.

Amelia, now sitting alone, paused and asked the air, "Where's Annabelle?"

"Maybe Olivia consumed her in a moment of fury," Owen chuckled.

"Seriously, Owen, where is she?" Amelia pressed.

"Mommy," Victoria called as she entered her parents' bedroom. "Anna says she's sick. She wants you."

"Mom's pregnant, Ree. She needs her rest," Owen stated as he tied his tie. "Tell her I'll be down there in a minute."

Ria gazed at her dad, then at her mom and pursed her lips. "What is it?" Amelia asked. Ria approached and whispered in Amelia's ear. Responding back, Amelia nodded and stated quietly, "Tell her I'll be right there." Amelia sighed internally, grieving. My last little girl…

"Mia, you shouldn't deal with sick kids," Owen admonished with care.

"It's not that kind of sick, O," Amelia hinted.

Owen scrunched his eyebrows down and toward the center of his face, "What?"

"It's… a girl issue," Amelia revealed. "Her first one."

"Oh… yeah… she's all yours," Owen nodded as he urged Lucas to head to the kitchen with him. As he walked, he thought to himself, Thank God Mia is home for this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'

Amelia knocked softly and announced, "It's Mom." Anna called for her to come in and Amelia smirked with a bittersweet mixture of compassion and sadness. "Annabelle…"

Whispering, Anna sought to confirm, "You didn't tell anyone, right?"

"Daddy knows," Amelia admitted as she lifted one shoulder.

"Mooooommmmmmm! Why?!" Anna vented. "He doesn't need to know."

"Anna, your dad is a doctor. He can handle the information confidentially. You don't have to talk to him about it," Amelia assured her.

"Just Dad knowing is weird enough, Mom," Anna pled as she shook her arms in the air.

With a slow exhale, Amelia changed the subject. "Did Ria help you find what you need? Did she show you where the pads are in your bathroom?"

"Yes, but Mmmoooommmm," Anna expressed with further embarrassment. "Don't talk so loud. Ryder will make fun of me and Lucas will ask a thousand questions. And, Dad… he's going to be all weird about this."

With half a laugh, Amelia pointed out, "Annabelle. Ryder and Lucas do not need to know, but, honey, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Girls have periods. It is what it is."

"Boys don't have them. That makes girls weird," Anna proclaimed with certainty.

"No," Amelia stated clearly, "Boys deal with other stuff. Being different from a boy doesn't make girls weird. Girls are… girls."

"What do boys deal with?" Anna asked with naiveté.

Blowing out through her lips as she stretched them away from her teeth, Amelia stated, "Let's take care of the matter at hand. We can circle around to boy stuff later."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'

That evening, the doctors of the Greater Seattle area gathered for a recognition banquet. Maggie stood alone staring at the entry of the banquet hall and attempting not to fret. As she approached her sister, Amelia caught Maggie's expression and decided to lighten the mood.

"I thought Captain Hottie was your date tonight," Amelia purred as she teased Maggie. Amelia wore a gray, knee length formal with a plunging neckline. The empire waist helped minimize the baby bump that was beginning to emerge.

"He is," Maggie nodded anxiously. "He's meeting me here. Where's Owen?"

"On his way," Amelia stated confidently. "A trauma came in that he wanted to oversee in the ER." She sipped her club soda and scanned the room. "It's like the Who's Who of the Seattle medical community, isn't it?"

"I wouldn't know," Maggie shrugged. "I still don't know many people outside of the hospital."

"That's why you need a life," Amelia pointed out. When Derek and Meredith arrived, Amelia raised her glass and stated in reference to her brother, "Well… well… it's the most handsome neurosurgeon around." Meredith spotted her sisters and walked toward them. Her fully beaded, sleeveless dress reflected various colors depending on the angle of the light.

"Amy… Maggie," Derek greeted with a nod. He turned to Meredith and confirmed, "Champagne?"

"Thanks," Meredith smiled. Turning to her sisters, she observed, "You both look beautiful tonight."

"Same. I adore the beadwork, Mer," Amelia nodded. She turned toward Maggie and repeated, "Maggie, I have to say it again: you look amazing in red." Maggie's red, floor length dress flowed smoothly along her figure. The waist was beaded and a keyhole opening along the sternum enhanced the sleeveless creation.

As Maggie smiled bashfully, she turned her head and spotted Adam. He had just stepped in wearing his dress blues with a chest-full of regalia that included ribbons, wings, badges, medals. Scanning the crowd, he noticed her and walked toward her.

"Look at him," Maggie sputtered. "Omigod, I can't… he's… he's so fancy."

"Dive in, Sister," Amelia mumbled through her smile. "There's nothing more sexy than a man in uniform."

"Ladies," Adam nodded. Resting his gaze on Maggie, he offered, "You… are stunning."

"I match some of your Navy bling," Maggie pointed out anxiously with an uncomfortable laugh, referring to his ribbon bars.

Hesitantly, Adam glanced at his ribbons and commented with grace, "I suppose there is some red in there."

"And orange and green and… yeah," Maggie sputtered.

"How about a drink?" Adam offered.

"Wine. White wine," Maggie requested.

Adam ran his hand in the air toward the other women with his palm face up, "Anyone else?" Amelia and Meredith declined and Adam excused himself.

Maggie leaned toward her sisters and expressed her angst, "Why didn't you stop me? I can't believe I called his ribbon things Navy bling. That was probably really offensive, huh?"

"I found it hilarious," Amelia quipped with a hearty laugh. "Keep going, Maggie. Maybe they'll hire you to provide the entertainment next year."

By the time Adam returned, Owen and Derek had joined the women. "Captain," Owen smirked. "We were about to head to our table."

Following Owen, Adam placed his hand on the small of Maggie's back and led her to the table. He pulled out Maggie's chair, leaving Derek and Owen scrambling to do likewise for their mates. Neither Meredith nor Amelia was impressed. "Tell me more about tonight's festivities," Adam requested to his tablemates.

"Basically, it's an annual event where we all tell each other how wonderful we all are," Amelia quipped.

Derek corrected, "There's a bit more to it than that. It's a time to celebrate our achievements with those who understand the complexity of the challenges we face. Tonight is about recognition by our peers."

Owen breathed in through his mouth, anticipating Amelia would react to Derek's addition. He gently placed his hand on her knee. In response, she squeezed his hand firmly to re-channel her frustration.

"Interesting," Adam smirked at Derek, feeling for Amelia.

As the evening wore on, videos and speeches were shared and received with enthusiastic applause. A definite left-leaning message emerged, aligning with ideals espoused by Democrats focusing on universal health care, ending wars, and so-called Mommy Laws like seatbelt and helmet requirements. Adam stomached the first few presentations without expression, but finally had to comment about one that overstated the complexity related to war and urged immediate withdrawal of all US troops abroad.

With a half-smile, Adam leaned over to Maggie and chuckled sarcastically, "Because pulling out of Afghanistan or one of a hundred other places is that simple." Maggie smiled simply, but didn't respond. She squirmed in her seat, unsure how to proceed. Until Adam whispered to her, she appreciated what the speaker had to say.

During the next speech, which strongly lobbied for a particular type of universal insurance, Adam folded his arms and took in an audible, slow breath. After holding it momentarily, he exhaled. He repeated the process until Maggie gazed at him over her shoulder and whispered, "Adam?"

He raised his eyebrows and whispered back, "Yes?"

"What's wrong?" she pressed quietly.

Pointing his forehead toward the podium, Adam stated quietly, "His politics." Again, Maggie simply smirked and turned back around. She found herself wondering why the type of universal healthcare she most supported seemed so ridiculous to her date.

Two thirds of the way through the awards and presentations, a break for dessert and dancing was offered. With his impeccable manners, Adam stood and extended his hand, "Shall we?"

"Sure," Maggie smiled widely. As she wrapped her arm around Adam's bent forearm, Maggie looked back with glee at her sisters.

"Did you hear him?" Owen mumbled to Amelia.

"No," Amelia smiled as she savored a bite of chocolate mousse.

"He's… military," Owen huffed quietly.

"So…?" Amelia gazed out of the corner of her eye with confusion.

"Very right-leaning. Very conservative," Owen emphasized. "I'm not sure our gang of liberals is impressing him."

"Ah," Amelia giggled. "That's kind of fun. Does Maggie know?"

Owen nudged his wife and encouraged her, "Look toward the dance floor."

Maggie and Adam appeared to be in a serious conversation as they danced. Maggie, far more expressive, was easy to read. She was defending her positions and emphasizing points Adam appeared to disregard. Trained to maintain a poker face, Adam responded to Maggie in a measured and expressionless way. He was difficult to read. As the music came to a close and the program was about to resume, Adam excused himself and Maggie returned to the table.

"You guys…" Maggie groaned. "Omigod."

"What?" Meredith inquired with concern. Amelia glanced over with curiosity and Owen pretended to be distracted by something across the room.

"He's a Republican!" she exclaimed as if revealing he was a mass murderer.

"I dated one of those once," Amelia quipped. With half a shrug, she shared, "He sure wasn't conservative in bed… he was…" she paused to whistle. Kissing her gathered fingers and spreading out her fingers as she moved her hand away, adding, "Delicious… very liberal with his… Let's just say, he could stimulate my economy any day."

"Mia," Owen groaned. "Remember me? Your husband?"

"You're all ginger and fireworks, Handsome. Don't feel threatened," she assured him. "Besides, who did I marry? You or James?" She showed a naughty smile and added, "I prefer my men…left leaning."

Owen threw his hand over his eyes and nose, shaking his head. Her innuendo was so very Amelia in style.

Meredith, giggling, inquired, "Something you'd like to share with the group, Owen?"

"No. Thanks, Meredith. That's quite all right," Owen grimaced.

Amelia reached over and popped her index finger on Owen's nose, "I love embarrassing you – you're so darling." Owen closed his eyes and attempted to center. He tired of listening to the continuing banter and reactions about Adam's political party, so he excused himself.

When he turned into the hallway, Owen encountered Adam. When Adam saw Owen, he greeted his friend, "Quite an event, Hunt."

"A bit." Owen was going to say 'left leaning,' but he couldn't bring himself to use those words. "Umm…liberal."

"A bit," Adam smirked. "Would it be rude of me to remain out here?"

"No," Owen chuckled. "I may join you?"

Misunderstanding Owen's reasons for stepping out of the banquet room, Adam patted Owen's back. He assumed his Army friend was a fellow Republican. With slight hesitation, Adam questioned, "I probably shouldn't ask a doctor this, but would you care to join me outside? I need a smoke."

Chuckling, Owen agreed, "Some fresh air sounds great."

The two men stepped out and walked around the block. As he lit his cigarette, Adam admitted, "I've been asked to consider putting my name in the ring for Rear Admiral."

"Wow, that's an honor," Owen responded.

"I'm not sure if I will proceed," Adam disclosed. "I'm happy with my command and rank. If promoted, I'd have to either be promoted or reappointed again within five years or retire. That kind of pressure might be more than I want at this point in my life and career. Besides, I have quite a bit of freedom now. Scheduling visits to see Itzy at the Academy will be easier if I remain a Captain. And where would her home base be if I were commanding a fleet and hopping from ship to ship?"

"Good point," Owen nodded. "We'd be willing to do what we can for Julie. Both Amelia and I consider her one of our own – we adore her."

"You're generous, Hunt," Adam acknowledged. "Home base declarations are tricky, though."

"I'm not sure how the home base details work…" Owen admitted.

"It's a bureaucratic nightmare," Adam chuckled. "I could request an exception for her, but that smacks of nepotism. She'd end up hassled."

"Hmmm," Owen recognized without weighing in.

"It'll be the second time I've turned down an enormous opportunity for her," Adam pondered aloud as he lit another cigarette.

"For your family, you mean," Owen attempted to correct.

"I suppose," Adam grinned. "If we hadn't had Itzy, I'd have been an admiral years ago." He gazed faraway and disclosed, "Claire wanted another baby. Sam was about to start first grade. She wasn't ready for him to be away at school all day."

"Claire convinced you," Owen reflected with a soft laugh.

Taking a long drag of his cigarette, Adam confessed, "Not exactly. Claire and I made a deal. I'd continue to be open to promotions, and she'd have second baby. She'd play the part of an Admiral's wife, and, well," he chuckled, "she'd have that second baby."

"We should get back," Owen suggested, not sure he was comfortable with Adam's candor.

"Of course," Adam agreed as the men quickened their pace.

When they walked through the doors and into the hallway, Amelia greeted them, "There you are!" She hugged Owen and mumbled in his ear, "Maggie's flipping out."

"Margaret," Adam offered with a sultry voice as he came up behind Maggie and kissed her neck.

With widened eyes and a frustrated expression, Maggie fumed, "Where have you been? I thought you'd taken off without me."

"I apologize," Adam whispered. He surveyed the room and determined the evening was coming to a close. "Can I take you home?"

"To my home, yes," she snapped.

"Did you have a coat?" Adam inquired. When she told him yes, he offered to collect it from the coat check. He returned and placed the wrap around Maggie's shoulders. When he offered his arm, Maggie folded her arms in front of her body and glared at him.

With a gentle scoff, Adam observed, "I seem to have upset you."

"Yes, Adam, you seem to have done that," Maggie spat back quietly with attitude.

"I'd like to make it up to you. I truly am sorry," he apologized as he opened the car door for his date.

Misunderstanding his intent, Maggie assumed he was angling for sex. "Take me home, Adam."

As they drove away, Adam waited for Maggie to speak. Three miles into the drive, thinking he was bringing up general, non-controversial chatter, he questioned, "Did you see the OpEd in the Times today? The City Council voted against the new nuclear energy option."

Internally rolling her eyes but knowing it was rude not to comment, Maggie weighed in lightly. "I did see that."

"I'm so disappointed. People making decisions about power sources when they know nothing about nuclear energy," he shook his head casually.

"What was that?" she attempted to clarify without sounding hostile.

"Nuclear energy is carbon free – what could be better for our environment?" he pointed out. "It is a 24/7 resource. Always available, nuclear energy ensures the community a constant power supply in places that need it, such as hospitals," he bantered without much emotion. He assumed he was speaking to a like-minded friend.

"Adam…" Maggie emphasized, "What about nuclear waste? Think of the medical catastrophes of Chernobyl and Three Mile Island."

With a soft chuckle, Adam added, "Maggie, don't tell me you're opposed to nuclear energy."

"Don't tell me you support it," she responded with concern. "There are safer options like wind and solar energy."

"That are less reliable. And coal, of course, is phenomenally damaging to humanity and the earth," Adam mentioned. "What about nuclear medicine? You are an excellent and accomplished doctor. I'm certain you value the diagnostic benefits of nuclear medicine. With it, the medical community can determine the extent of an illness and confirm diagnoses. Nuclear is not a four letter word."

"You seem to be knowledgeable on the topic," Maggie commented, wishing she were home in her PJs eating ice cream.

"I have a Master's Degree in nuclear engineering and I've commanded nuclear submarines," Adam stated.

"Oh… what do you know?" Maggie stalled. Changing the subject to something she anticipated would be less emotionally charged, she pointed out, "Did you see the other piece in the OpEd section about homelessness?"

"Very tragic," Adam nodded. "How will ever fully address the conundrum?"

"I appreciated the proposal for quality child care. Imagine being homeless and living in your car. How could you look for work and leave your child alone in the back seat?" Maggie pushed.

With a scoff, Adam weighed in, "Perhaps use birth control?"

"You already have the children," she emphasized as she clarified her scenario.

"I'll play along," Adam commented with a hint of arrogance. "I live in my car with my children and have no job."

"Correct," she confirmed. "Now what?"

"According to your argument, I take away funds from hard-working, middle class folks through taxation so I can have free daycare," Adam argued.

"This is not going well," Maggie commented in general. "I suppose you support the Second Amendment to the nth degree. You'd advocate for assault weapons to be in every home in America."

"Absolutely not," Adam insisted. "There are trained soldiers I would not trust with those weapons. Civilians certainly do not need them in their homes."

"Looks like we're here," Maggie sighed as Adam stopped in front of her house.

He turned off the car and offered kindly, "Let me walk you to the door, Maggie."

"I'm fine, Adam. Just fine," Maggie stated flatly. "Thank you for coming to the banquet tonight." As she let herself out of the car, she leaned back in and concluded, "I hope the liberal progressive festival was not too painful for you." With that, she closed the door, turned, and plodded up the walk.

Adam turned the car onto accessory mode and rolled down the power windows. "Maggie," he called out loud enough to be heard but at an appropriate volume for the time of night. "Please… let's chat about this."

Choosing not to respond, Maggie opened the front door, entered the home, and closed the door promptly. She leaned against the entry wall and let out an enormous breath. And here I thought I might have found the perfect guy, she thought.

Author's Note: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the wishes and prayers. You're the best! Sadly, the meeting was pretty rotten, but it could've been worse. Knowing so many people were holding me in their hearts truly made a difference. Thanks again! G