You're Mine

chapter 34

Wednesday, 24th December:

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"Alright, all the gifts are wrapped and laying under the tree.", Owen announced. He had even wrapped one for Amelia, who was still missing. Since there were no hints on her whereabouts at all, the police considered her dead. "Christmas was her favorite holiday."

"Well, she was a super sparkly person, so it kinda fits.", Teddy answered, feeling her best friend rest his head on her shoulder and deciding to lean hers against his. "When I lost Allison and Henry, I felt like I could never not feel lonely again."

"Yeah, I feel the same way. And I keep remembering the words she whispered in my ear that morning. She told me she thought she was falling in love with me, and I felt so happy...then, suddenly, it was all over. And I will forever be feeling lonely.", the redhead explained.

"You don't have to, you know? Because I am here for you and for the kids and you know I love you, Owen.", the cardio surgeon replied. "And I am not saying this to fill some need of being loved by you...I just want to offer a way for you to not feel lonely anymore, not by being with me."

"I never thanked you for everything you are doing for us...even Layla had a wonderful day, and she is excited for tomorrow...she, Logan and Leo love you...and I am an idiot for not telling you how grateful I am. I know you're not trying to use me or trying to benefit yourself...and I sure as hell don't want to feel lonely anymore.", Owen shared, passionately kissing the blonde.

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Thursday, 25th December:

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"IT'S CHRISTMAS!", Logan and Layla yelled when they entered their father's room, causing him and Teddy to wake up and stare at the ten-year-old's confused face. He hadn't expected them together in bed. His sister was already raising her arms up for her dad to lift her onto the bed with them, since he had been occupying Amelia's side ever since she had gone missing in August.

"Layls, honey, go ahead and take Teddy to the living room with Leo. I have to talk to your big brother really quickly.", Owen announced. He was cursing himself for letting her fall asleep next to him when he had known his kids would probably come in here in the morning.

"I know what you are going to say.", Logan beat him to being the first to speak up. "But you don't have to. Let's face it, mom is dead. And Teddy is great. She's been here all the time and I love her! So do the other two...you deserve to live your life, dad. And you don't have to keep waiting for mom to come back because we all know she won't. You promised that you wouldn't abandon me, and you didn't."

"Did you expect me to?", the trauma surgeon wondered, relieved as he watched his boy shake his head. "Good! Because otherwise I would have told Santa to take away your presents.", he joked, making the child laugh. "Now let's go."

"Hi, Auntie Meg! Hi, Grandma!", the young brunette greeted the two family members that had arrived during his talk with his father. He hugged them before he stormed over to the pile of presents to find his.

"Whose gift is that?", Layla wondered when only one was left. Since she couldn't totally read yet, she didn't know. Her aunt shrugged and grabbed it to read the tag. Her eyes met those of her brother.

"It's for...", she began, thinking of a name to say because she knew the toddler would end up super sad again if she heard her mom's name. "It's for...", she tried again, still not sure which name she should say.

"It's for me.", her friend lied and took it from her. "But I want to keep it for later.", Teddy said, taking the present into the bedroom and putting it in Amelia's closet that Owen hadn't even started to clear out.

"Teddy, come play Candyland!", the four-year-old suggested. "Grandma, Logan, me and you are playing. Auntie Megan wants to make hot chocolate and dad hates board games and is watching Leo have fun with his toys. Because since he walks, he's way too crazy.", she giggled.

"Not you attacking your one-year-old brother.", the blonde laughed softly. "Okay, let's play.", she grinned. "Hi, my sweet boy!", she told the baby, who was laughing as he tried to run into her arms. "Are you happy?", she asked, kissing his head, handing back the toy he had given her and watching him run back to his dad, who, for a moment, looked up at the ceiling. She knew exactly what he was doing because sometimes she did too, with Allison and Henry.

"Are you guys excited to see your other aunts and your uncle as well as your cousins, later?", Evelyn asked her grandkids, since they would have lunch at Meredith's and Derek's.

"We always are.", Logan explained. He absolutely loved both halves of the family. "Can we stay for the afternoon too? I haven't played with my cousins for a while now.", he reminded everyone, especially his father.

"Of course, buddy. You know your Aunt Maggie and Uncle Derek. They will have cooked enough food for lunch and dinner.", Owen replied softly. "Can you guys watch Leo for a second? I have to use the toilet.", he told his best friend and mother, left and stared into the bathroom mirror. This would have been the first Christmas with Amelia. It should have been the first Christmas with Amelia.