Love Me Tender (A Kaimelia - Kai Bartley/Amelia Shepherd - fanfiction)

Part 3

I don't know how we got to a point where daily emails are a normal thing, but I don't mind one bit. I'm bouncing Scout on my lap, smiling as my phone screen lights up once again.

Sometimes it takes either of us hours to respond, but we always get around to it and those notifications make my heart swell every time. Even if it's as mundane as discussions over the latest results or planning out next steps. Somehow there's always something more hidden between the lines.

A sneaky comment, a flirtatious compliment even.. But Kai has yet to call me Amelia. I have grown used to it though, even if their nickname for me is a constant reminder of my brother. So is my adorable son in my lap and I wouldn't have it any other way.

There's a knock before the door opens and Link walks in. We're in a strange place between 'this isn't your home anymore' and 'but make yourself at home' and I guess the equivalent of that is knocking and then opening the door before anyone can react to it.

Works for me either way.

"Hey buddy!" Link greets Scout and reaches out to him so I get up, handing him over. His expression turns just a bit more serious as he nods in my direction and says a way-less-enthusiastic 'hey'.

"Hey. Thank you again for coming early," I smile, trying to be the bigger person. I get his point of view, I do. But it's been months of this and I wish he'd just let it go and accept that we could still be friends. We have to co-parent anyway so getting along well would make it a lot easier.

Not that he's an ass to me. I just feel this constant tension and honestly, that's probably the reason for these regular headaches. I can already feel one coming on now.

"Yeah, no problem," he nods and grabs Scout's bag, turning to leave but pausing for one moment.

"Um, how's the research going?" Link asks, a small smile on his lips now. Probably a forced one, but it's still nice to see that for a change.

And I know that he'd like to know more about our work now that we're kind of allowed to talk about it. I mean, it's still kept a secret mostly, but telling a few people is allowed so obviously I told him. I had to explain leaving for days at a time and plus, it's always been a dream of his to cure Parkinson's.

"Not without its' obstacles. The last test group showed 76% of success but then some of them had complications and we're trying to find the reason, but results have all been inconclusive so far. So before we find that, we can't move on with the next test group," I explain, getting worked up now.

This research opportunity has been amazing and frustrating at the same time and I'm loving the challenge.

Link looks at me for a few moments, obviously seeing something in my eyes that makes him smile for real this time.

"Well, I'm glad that you have this opportunity. You seem to really enjoy it," he says sincerely.

A part of me instantly thinks of Kai and how they're a big part of why I'm liking it so much, but I push the guilt to the back of my mind and smile as well.

"Yeah, it's been great getting back into this part of medicine," I agree. "And.. thank you. Really. I couldn't do it without your support, without knowing that I'm leaving Scout in very capable hands with you."

He nods and looks at me for a few more moments before locking this vulnerable part away again. "Well.. I guess we'll see you this weekend then," Link says and heads to the door.

"Yeah, have fun! Bye, Scout!" I wave to my son and sink back onto the couch as the door closes with a click.

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