The After

Chapter 17

Notes: Sorry I took so long to update, but this is the longest chapter yet so hopefully that makes up for it.

Owen woke up the next morning after not really sleeping, he spent the night tossing and turning scared to fall asleep. The sinking feeling in his stomach that he knew all too well keeping him awake, as he tried to think about anything but the images playing in his head.

Every time he began to drift off he saw Cristina's face after the choking and his eyes shot open again, he was reminded of the toll that it took on her; on them. He could take the war flashback, but being reminded of the fear in her eyes on that fateful day tore him apart and instilled him with guilt. The weeks without her felt like years, and after she told him 'yes' and took him back, he had vowed to never to put her in that situation again.

He was surprised when he woke up to the sun beaming in through the window, he hadn't expected to get any sleep and he suspected that he had merely got a few hours, but still he would take it.

He glanced behind him to check on Cristina, she was soundly asleep in their bed, the morning sun illuminating her wild curls and drawing him to run his hands through them.

He climbed into bed beside her in his usual spot, and gently stroked a stray curl out of her face. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his torso, still asleep and let out a happy sigh. He smiled down at her as she laid her head on his chest.

He thought about how lucky he was, she had stuck with him through thick and thin and he had returned the favour this past year. He felt guilty for putting her through it again, he really hoped he could snap of it. But he knew that it wasn't that easy.

It was different this time though, he has Cristina, he has a family. She had helped him through it before, even when he had tried to push her away, she had stuck. He had a family to think about now. He would get through it for them, he just hoped he could do it quickly.

"Morning" he heard from a sleepy Cristina.

"Morning" he replied.

"How'd you sleep?" she asked softly still half asleep herself.

"Alright" he lied.

"How're you feeling?" he asked giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Good" she yawned.

"How's my baby?" he asked moving his hands to rest upon her bump.

Cristina continued to yawn, "She's good" she said nonchalantly.

Owen's eyes bulged in his head, and Cristina's hand shot up to cover her mouth as she realised what she had done.

She nervously lifted her head, expecting Owen to look annoyed but to her surprise he had a huge grin on his face.

"It's a girl?" he asked sceptically.

Cristina looked in his eyes and smiled apologetically, "Yes, I'm sorry it just slipped out and I..." she was interrupted when Owen kissed her, swallowing her words.

He pulled back smiling like a crazy man, "We're having a girl!" he stated excitedly.

"We're having a girl" Cristina repeated as she enjoyed the smile displayed on his face, she loved seeing him so happy. If only it could last.

Owen grinned from ear to ear and pulled her into a bear hug.
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While Cristina showered, Owen took the opportunity to phone Dr Wyatt, feeling even more motivated now to get well again for 'his girls'.

After a brief conversation with her secretary, Owen had persuaded her that it was urgent, and she had been able to squeeze him in first thing this morning.