You're Mine

chapter 93

Thursday, 20th October:

Logan: 13; Layla: 7; Leo: 3; Twins: 1; Eleanor: 2

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"I know you love Mexican food, so I figured you might be up for this All You Can Eat date.", Owen informed his wife as they were sharing a table for two and waiting for their drinks. He was so happy that they were doing this.

"I told you, it is not a date. Just two married people talking out their stuff and differences. Plus, we have to make a list of which Halloween costumes to order.", Amelia reminded her husband.

"Good, then it's an All You Can Eat and Speak.", the redhead changed the name and actually made her laugh before she shook her head. "Okay, maybe I should stop with the bad humor before you end up divorcing me because of it. Didn't Logan choose the costumes?"

"Nah. Since when does Layla let Logan choose? She did. They are in their Harry Potter phase, which I hope will be over after Halloween. For now, we have Logan as Harry, Layls as Hermione, Leo as Ron. They suggested Hedwig for Lucas and Dobby for Luna, which leaves you and me.", the neurosurgeon said.

"I think I'm gonna be a broomstick and you can be Professor Snape.", her husband finished the conversation, making it known to her that she got to decide over their costumes and that he truly did not care at all. "So, what else do you want to talk about?"

"Work.", the brunette answered. "I want to keep my shift times from when you were gone and I won't work on weekends.", she shared, not leaving any room for discussion. "Which basically means, you will have to go back to full-time."

"Alright.", the trauma surgeon shrugged. "If that is what you want.", he figured. "I am just curious about the reason. Is it because of the rhythm and daily routine you developed or are you punishing me by spending more time with the kids than me? What's the thought?"

"It's not about punishing anyone. You're a grown man. If you want to work less hours, just do it.", his wife pointed out. "I love the routine the children and I have developed, and I want to be with them as much as I can."

"Which leaves me out, again.", Owen sighed, hurt. "You hated that I didn't take your opinion into account when I made my decision and now, you're doing the exact same thing.", he accused, falling silent upon seeing the waiter approach them with the drinks. "Thank you."

"Thanks.", Amelia said too. "Nobody is leaving you out on purpose. The way it is right now was caused by you and your need to go to Iraq. If you want to put blame on somebody, start with yourself."

"I wanted this to be a peaceful dinner and now we are fighting again.", the redhead realized. "I'm gonna get some food.", he decided and stood up to walk to the buffet. His wife just sighed and grabbed her phone.

Teddy: How's it going?

Megan: Wait, they're on the date?

Teddy: Yes!

Amelia: Not good. We keep blaming each other for stuff and there are so many accusations. Maybe we should go through with the divorce.

Megan: Amelia, no. You guys can figure this out!

Amelia: I don't think so. Honestly, I am too tired of this.

"Let's just break up.", the trauma surgeon suggested when Amelia came back with food too and they started eating in silence. For a second, his wife choked on her dinner and coughed as she glanced at him in shock. "This is not working anymore, because you don't want it to."

"Wow! When you said you want to try to fix what you've broken you decided to make a real effort.", the brunette sarcastically replied and shook her head. "Great job, Owen. Especially the blame game you keep playing."

"See? This is what I mean! You accuse me of stuff you're doing yourself, it's so annoying. Oh, did I say annoying, I am so sorry for using a word only you're allowed to use.", her husband responded.

"Owen, please stop.", the neurosurgeon begged, looking hurt. "Let's calm down and start again. What bothers you?", she asked, trying to be the bigger person and to give him a chance of articulating his thoughts.

"I feel like I am not considered a full part of the family anymore. Like you are everyone's favorite and I am just the other parent. And now you want to spend more time with the kids, when I almost get none already. If I work full-time and you don't, they will never see us as equals again and I want to be loved by them as much as you're. I don't want to feel like the third wheel.", Owen finally admitted calmly, looking sad.

"Anything else?", his wife questioned, letting him figure out if he had more to say or if that was it. He just shrugged. "Fine, then think about it while I speak. I told you that nobody is intentionally hurting you. It's a fact that you weren't really there for six months when I was, each day. So, naturally, the children will have to get used to seeing us as equals again. I get that it bothers you, but I am asking you to be patient with them. As for spending time with them, how about you start working the same shifts as me and we will see if it works and if we still have enough money to keep living our life. I understand that it was quite selfish of me to tell you to work full-time while I don't."

"Sounds good.", the redhead mumbled, by now ashamed of how he had spoken to her earlier. "There is something else.", he informed her softly and waited for them to make eye contact again. "I miss being with you. Romantically intimate I mean. And I know you said you need time but...not touching you...not kissing you...it kills me. So, if you truly meant it when you said you still love me, please act on it. I can't breathe with you near me because I cannot touch and hold you."

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a/n: Dinner continues in the next chapter. :)