The Song Remains the Same

Chapter 19

Callie straightened her lab coat for what felt like the hundredth time while she waited on the elevator to arrive. Teddy was around somewhere, but had graciously decided to be elsewhere for this. They'd arrived back in Seattle late the night before, deciding together not to keep Owen's coma going medically. His stats weren't improving and if he was going to wake up he'd have to do it himself. They'd sat on either side of his bed all night with no change. He wasn't waking up.

The sun had risen and Callie had been forced to face the knowledge that she had to let her children know what was happening. Once the elevator doors opened her whole world was going to change.

Arizona met her eyes the second the doors parted, her expression sober. Gus was in her right arm, sitting on her hip, Gavin and Allegra talking over each other as they argued about something undoubtedly world ending to them. If only they knew what was really happening. Spotting her, Angus was immediately squirming to get free. “Mommy!”

Arizona handed him over willingly, standing silently as all three children clamored at Callie, all hugging her at whatever spots they could reach. Unconsciously Arizona's arms wrapped around herself, needing a hug herself knowing what was coming. Callie knelt to their level and waited patiently for the eager chatter to die down. “Hey guys,” she greeted them, taking a shaky breath. “I missed you too. You had a good time with Arizona, though, right? And you all behaved?”

There was a jumbled round of agreements from all three kids, Allegra looking over her shoulder for confirmation from Arizona. “They did,” she murmured, a small, sad smile on her lips.

Callie swallowed hard, eyes locking on Arizona’s again. There was nothing to be gained from dragging this out. Her gaze dropped to each of her children. “I have something I need to tell you three,” she started. Arizona moved to take a step back, distancing herself from this intensely personal family moment. “Wait,” Callie whispered, stopping her in her tracks. “Daddy's sick, guys.” Three little eyes went wide. “There was an accident with the plane he was on and it crashed.” She thought she was going to choke but forced herself to keep going. “People were hurt but your daddy worked really hard to keep everybody safe.”

Tears were already welling in Allegra's eyes. “Is Daddy gonna be okay?”

“Daddy's heart got hurt while they were in the woods waiting for someone to find them. He's sleeping until his heart gets better.”

“You fix it,” Angus requested, shattering Callie's heart in her chest.

“I wish I could,” she sighed. “Daddy's friend Teddy is a heart surgeon too and she's been helping me.” She blinked, scared of the tears she could feel burning behind her eyes. “I know he wants to see you though,” she told them. “Do you guys want to see him?”

She stood up as she got somber nods in answer, her own heart aching and breaking in her chest. Her boys looked like their father. The children followed suit, Arizona surprised when Gavin took her hand to bring her along. Teddy was in the room when they arrived, her eyes quickly taking in the scene and backing off from her bedside vigil. She and Callie exchanged nods, the taller surgeon giving Arizona a shadow of a smile in greeting.

Gavin released Arizona to move forward with his siblings, leaving Teddy and Arizona by the door as silent observers, affected but not involved. They had their own personal connections to the situation – Teddy with Owen, Arizona with Callie and the kids – but they couldn't be here for this.

Callie helped the kids climb onto Owen's bed without disturbing any of his monitors, and was only a step behind them out the door. “You guys don't have to go.”

“Yes, we do,” Teddy said with a nod, a sad smile. “They need you.”

“Thank you,” sighed Callie, gratefully squeezing her arm. “I'll call you later when you can have the room back.”