"Whoa!" Owen exclaims, walking into the attendings' lounge in the morning, "That's a lot of roses!" There is an enormous basket of red roses lying on the coffee table in the lounge.
"Yeah, I guess I went a little overboard" Jackson says, shrugging, "I thought Maggie would love them but I didn't expect a hundred roses to actually be quite so many."
"Ah, I see," Owen laughs, "Well now we know. Wait, is it Maggie's birthday?" He looks confused. "Amelia didn't mention anything."
Jackson looks at him in surprise. "It's Valentine's Day, Hunt" he says, earning a blank stare at his words. "We've got to pamper our girls."
"But... But Amelia didn't mention it."
"She's not going to mention it. You're just supposed to know. It's an unwritten rule. On Valentine's day our girls expect to be pampered."
Owen opens and closes his mouth like a fish. "But Amelia didn't—"
"Mention it?" Jackson laughs, finishing his sentence. "Oh Hunt, it's sweet how smitten you are. Lucky for you, you still haven't seen her today so you have time to figure something out." He laughs again, and then walks out, leaving Owen to ponder his words. Owen stares at the offending basket of roses grumpily, wodnering what to do. Sure he hasn't seen Amelia that morning because she had to leave early to prep for a surgery. He hasn't seen her all morning but he's felt her presence in the rumpled sheets she left him still asleep in, the smell of her making him want to stay in bed for ever. She was there in the freshly brewed coffee pot that was lying in wait for him and the lingering smell of her shampoo in the shower. He could sense her presence when he went to wake Leo, and found his little clothes for the day set out along with his bag packed for daycare. She was definitely there in the hastily made lunch bag left on the kitchen counter for Betty. He chuckled when he thought back to the doors of the kitchen cabinets left open, as only Amelia left them. Every inch of the house felt like Amelia. She was in his bed, his room, his thoughts, his coffee, his children. She was under his skin and in the very air he breathed. So, no he hadn't actually seen her that morning. Or had he?
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"Owen, there you are!"
He turns to see Amelia making her way towards him. Ordinarily, he would have been overjoyed to see her because even catching a glimpse of her during his day made his world light up. But today he has a different agenda. He has to first plan something for Valentine's Day, before he can actually have a conversation with her. So today, meeting Amelia would have to wait. "Oh. Hey!" he says in response to her greeting. "I have to go! There's an incoming trauma!" He turns away and rushes off, leaving her confused at his rush and crashes straight into Alex.
"Whoa, watch out, Hunt! What's going on?"
"Nothing, I was just... oh wait! Alex! You're newly married, right?"
"I hope so" Alex chuckles, "Why?"
"No, it's just... how come you're not going all crazy with this whole Valentine's Day stuff? You're a cool guy. You haven't planned anything for Jo, right?"
"Well, I'm making her dinner tonight. Wine, candlelight, the works. And I've booked us a luxury spa weekend next weekend. I figured since we cut short our honeymoon and everything, you know?"
"Oh" Owen nods, contemplating, "I see."
"Why though? Why this sudden interest in my-- Oh wait! You totally haven't planned anything for Shepherd, have you?" Alex says with a smirk. Owen groans at the tone in Alex's voice. "How was I supposed to know? Nobody told me I was supposed to plan something!"
"Dude! You are so screwed!" Alex laughs, patting him on the back and walking away. "Good luck with Shepherd. It was nice knowing you."
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It's been a long morning and between managing the busy ER and trying to avoid Amelia, Owen has not really had a minute to actually plan what he could do for her. He walks into the cafeteria, scanning it quickly, relieved to see no sign of her.
"Maggie! Just the person I wanted to see." Owen calls out, walking over to where she is seated.
"Nice to see you too, Owen " she smiles, "What's up?"
"Well, since it's Valentine's Day, I needed your help planning what I could do for Amelia." He watches her smile broaden at his words. "Aww you two!" she gushes, "I'm so glad you guys are back! Of course I'd love to help you. How about we start with planning a perfect date. Maybe take her to a lovely restaurant? Or maybe you could cook her a meal? She'd love that! Okay no wait, I have it! How about this, you—"
"Maggie wait! It's today! I don't have a lot of time to plan elaborate dates. How about something I could get her?"
"Oh okay. Well, maybe some flowers? Or a piece of jewellery or... Oh! How about one of those big stuffed bears? That would be so cute! I know Amelia loves to cuddle."
As if on cue, they hear Amelia's voice ring out. "Owen, hey! Finally!" She makes her way to him and he rushes to stand up. "Thanks for your help, Maggie." Turning to Amelia he calls out, "I have to run again, I'll see you later!" For the second time that day he backs away from her before she can react.
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He turns the key in the lock, thankful to have reached home after having successfully avoided Amelia all day. It's been exhausting to say the least, because she seemed to turn up everywhere that day and he had slowly run out of excuses. There were only so many incoming traumas he could fake. He sighs, relieved that's over. She was safely in surgery that evening, giving him a chance to slip out without saying goodbye. At least now he has time to plan something before she comes home. He knows it's late but maybe he could still try and get them reservations at a nice restaurant. Italian, he thinks to himself. Amelia would love that. And Betty could babysit Leo. Happy with his idea, planning what flowers to get her and thinking of what she'd like as a gift, he enters.
"Hey" he hears her say as soon as he steps inside.
"Whaa— Amelia! What are you doing here?"
"I kinda live here" she says, shrugging.
"Yeah, but I thought you had a surgery."
He suddenly looks alarmed. "Leo! Amelia, I thought you were at the hospital so I left Leo in daycare! I've got to go get him!"
"Owen wait! My surgery got pushed to tomorrow and I brought Leo home. He's asleep." She smiles gently, as she always does when she thinks of him.
"Oh. Okay."
His eyes meet hers for a moment before he quickly looks away. "I... uh... I have to go" he mumbles, " I forgot the... thing. I'll be back in a little while."
She stares at him in surprise. "No" she says then, her voice firm.
"What?"
"Owen, I said, no. You've been acting weird all day. I wont let you run now. Not until you tell me what's going on."
He sighs, running his hand through his hair. He looks disheartened and her expression softens. She moves closer to him and runs her fingers over his cheek.
"What is it, O? Talk to me."
He looks back at her, still silent.
"Is it me?"
"Yes" he says and then, looking at the alarm on her face, "No! That's not what I meant!."
"What did you mean, Owen?"
"It's just, it's Valentine's Day, Amelia."
She looks confused at his words. "Yeah, I know. Betty, Rachel and Eileen have some crazy Valentine's Day sleepover planned at Rachel's tonight" she laughs warily, "Something about how friends can celebrate Valentine's Day too."
He listens, his face devoid of any expression. She waits for him to go on and then asks again, "You were saying?"
"It's just... I didn't get you flowers. Or a gift. I didn't plan a fancy date. I didn't even know it was Valentine's Day." He hangs his head, looking ashamed and her heart goes out to him.
"What? Owen, I don't want flowers or a gift. And you know I'd always rather stay in on the couch with you. Where's all this coming from?"
He sighs again, "Well, today everywhere I turned, people were celebrating Valentine's Day. Jackson said it was what you'd expect too. Flowers, pampering, gifts. Even Alex is cooking Jo a fancy dinner tonight! And I didn't do anything for you."
She can't help but smile as the realisation finally dawns on her. Her heart fills with love at his endearing earnestness. "So that's why you've been avoiding me all day?"
He nods sadly. "I thought if I didn't see you then you wouldn't know that I hadn't planned anything. And we would've have technically not met today and it would give me time to do something for you. I just haven't had a minute free so far. I thought I'd do it when I got home but your surgery got cancelled and you're here already." He looks sad and she takes his hand in hers and gives it a squeeze.
"Why does this mean so much to you, Owen? Why is it bothering you so much that you didn't plan anything? That's not like you."
"I don't know. I guess, we're back together and we're working and I saw everyone doing things for the people they love today and I feel like I never do anything to show you I love you, Amelia."
"Owen" she says, giving him a quick hug. She pulls away then and ruffles his hair gently. "You listen to me."
He looks up at her and nods, waiting for her to go on.
"Why did you get late to work this morning?" she asks, surprising him with her question.
"Huh? What's that got to do with Valentine's Day?"
"Just answer me please."
"Okay. I got late because Leo was teething and cranky this morning and I had to drop Betty off at school today too because you had a surgery and had to go in early to prep."
"Exactly."
"What?"
"And do you remember that time when we wanted to split an ice-cream and you agreed to have mint chocolate chip even though you think it tastes like toothpaste?"
"It's your favourite flavour, Amelia," he says looking confused, "Why are you asking me this? I still don't get it."
"Wait, stay with me. Do you remember the time I ran to Stephanie's after we discovered I wasn't pregnant?"
"Yes" he nods, wondering again where she is going with this.
"Well, one of the days after that you saw me crying in the elevator and you immediately stepped in to hug me and hold me while I cried, no questions asked. Do you remember that?"
"Of course, I do Amelia, I couldn't bear to see you crying. I can never..."
She smiles, surprised at the sudden tears pricking her eyes. "Yes, exactly. And how about the time Betty ran and I came home and told you I needed a meeting and you were ready to take me that instant?"
"Boy, you girls in our family sure run a lot" he chuckles, noticing her eyes fill with tears and trying to lighten her mood." It works because she grins suddenly and shoves him playfully.
"Okay anyway, yes" he says, "I remember that but I still don't understand."
"It's simple. You get late to work because I have to go in early so you take over the things I have to do too. You can't stand my tears even when we're in a fight. You put me first, you drop everything you have to do when I need something. Heck, you even eat ice-cream that you hate just because I love it."
He listens, watching her carefully and she laughs softly at the baffled expression on his face.
"Don't you see, O? That's what you do. That's what you do to show me you love me. And not just today, you do it every day."
"Oh" he says, still quiet, "You do so many things for me every day too."
She smiles at his words and goes on. "Remember how I told you about Christopher?"
"Of course, Mia."
"It's the first time I ever said his name out loud to anyone. I said it to you, Owen. You."
"You did."
"See? You and I, we don't do Valentine's Day, O. We do every day."
He smiles at her words, finally understanding, his heart relaxing and flooding with love for her. She goes on, "I don't need flowers and gifts and fancy dates. You did everything, right, You do everything right Owen."
"Even if I didn't get you a giant stuffed bear?"
"Maggie?" she asks laughing and rolls her eyes when he nods. "There's only one big bear I love to cuddle, O. As long as I have that, I'm good." She giggles and throws her arms around him in a hug.
"So it's okay if I didn't get you a hundred roses, like Jackson got Maggie?"
"Wait, a hundred? Really? Wow!"
"Uhh... can we go back to where you were telling me how great I am?"
She laughs again, her eyes twinkling with happiness and he can't help but smile back too. She kisses him softly on his cheek and then holds his face gently in her hands. "You're such a good man Owen" she begins, her voice serious now. "You tell me you love me every day with the things you do. You give up so much so that I don't have to. You said you wanted the strings. You said that you wanted them with me. That's got to be worth more than a hundred roses don't you think?"
"Happy Valentine's Day, Amelia" is all he says, his heart bursting with love for the perfect woman in his arms.
"Happy Every Day, Owen" she whispers, pulling him in for a kiss.
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Thank you for reading! I hope you all liked it. 😊💜
