Let's Not Stay Away Anymore (Kaimelia)

25: Show pony

Finally seated, she took a look around. The restaurant was dimly lit, apart from a central chandelier, tiny faint rainbow patterns reflecting off of each crystal, hitting the muted dusty rose walls.

Amelia wasn't a regular at Robertson's - as far as she was concerned, it was always more fun trying and failing to figure out home cooking, and eventually settling in to pick something from one of the many takeout menus laying around the house at all times.

Patrons lining the sturdy, dark wooden tables scattered within the main dining hall were dressed to the nines, nondescript restaurant music overtaken by clinking of champagne glasses and chirping of women, one more beautiful than the next.

Surroundings that undoubtedly set a certain mood, Amelia cursed herself for picking the dress she did - it was a little tight around the arms, and she would now have to sit through a whole evening being painfully aware of her error, like mad trying to avoid the urge to tug at the sleeves.

Before the wardrobe misstep became too much of a bother, her eyes naturally lifted to see Dr. Hamilton approaching. Crossing the hall, his smile was relentlessly bright, as it had been during their morning meeting, reaching the seated woman with his usual level of confidence.

"Evening, Dr. Shepherd. We seem to be the first ones here," The man greeted her, exposing a row of white teeth.

"Appears so," Amelia nodded with a polite smile.

During their brief interaction, a waiter appeared beside Hamilton, carrying drink menus. Amelia opted for sparkling water (if the circumstances were different, she might've jokingly told the waiter to 'keep 'em coming' like she sometimes did with her sisters at home), while David pointed out a red wine on the menu that suited his wishes. As soon as the waiter left, David zeroed in on Amelia's face.

"While we wait, Dr. Shepherd, do tell me - am I the only one who's been grappling with the comedown from the near scientific miracle we performed some months ago? I mean, life goes on, of course, but still - aren't you just itching to get back to it?" He winked at the brunette.

"Trying to sell me on your idea before I even know what it is? That's bold, Dr. Hamilton," Amelia responded, her smile playful. Again, the man had drawn accurate conclusions over the course of working with her - if Amelia approved and was on his side, it'd be much, much easier to convince Meredith Grey to participate. And Amelia had stopped pretending she was anything but easy to talk into this type of opportunity.

As the older doctor's laugh rang out, Amelia turned to see her sister and two others walking in. A soft chuckle escaped her lips, as she looked over the newcomers, of which one stood out.

What is this, the medical version of Charlie's Angels... She mused internally.

Her sister was wearing a flowy light blue dress Amelia swore she'd seen Maggie wear to Zola's dance recital the prior week, and Kai? Kai kind of matched, having picked a blue button-down under their black jacket.

She hadn't seen them in blue often. It was nice.

Kai's eyes searched for hers as soon as they entered the room, mouth curling into a small smile once they finally did. She could've sworn there was a different kind of twinkle in their eyes, but wrote it off as the unfamiliar surrounding adding gravity to what was otherwise a couple of colleagues having a business dinner.

Finally, trailing behind, was none other than Dr. Helm, her incredibly long hair curled in loose waves around her face, and more make-up than Amelia ever remembered seeing on her.

While she looked just as stunning as the other two, hers was the only face presenting a nearly terrified, confused look.

"Look who I found loitering around in the parking lot," Meredith nearly sang, placing her hands on the back of an empty chair, thus claiming her seat.