Parenting

70

AMELIAS POV
Owen and I scrubbed out and the patient was perfectly fine. And we missed lunch. Even better.
"You're the best," I chuckled as we walked out of the OR. It was rather late too so we were both heading home.
"Amelia!" I heard.
"Fuck," I said and looked at Owen.
"She's getting closer," he chuckled.
"Mom," I faked a smile as she came over and hugged me.
"I wanna see the kids," she said. Before I could say anything Owen cut me off.
"You should swing by, they should all still be awake," Owen said.
"Okay," my mom smiled. The three of us walked out to the parking lot and got in our cars and started driving home.
"Do I offer her to stay the night?" I said.
"Only if you want to," he said.
"She likes you and the kids better than me," I mumbled softly.
"What?" He said, and I realized I spoke too softly.
"Nothing," I shrugged.
"I'm sorry I invited her over if that upset you," he said.
"It doesn't," I said, "She just likes you and the kids better than me." He sighed as we started driving home.
"I'm sure that's not true," he said softly.
"Literally whenever I see her the first thing she asks is for you," I said.
"Well I know I'm amazing Amelia you don't have to flatter me like that," he joked to lighten the mood.
"Shut up," I sniffled and nudged him.
"Hey you okay?" He said.
"Yeah," I said and looked out the window. We pulled in the driveway and Owen put his hand on my knee.
"You sure?" He said sweetly.
"Yeah," I said, "I'm just gonna go shower and head to bed."
"Okay," he nodded.
OWENS POV
I unlocked the door and Carolyn followed in behind us.
"Kids!" Amelia called, "we have a visitor!" The kids came downstairs and smiled when they saw Carolyn.
"Grandma!" Noah smiled. They all hugged her and talked with her and Amelia slipped upstairs.
"Hey I'll be right back," I said to ava.
"Okay," Ava said. I walked upstairs and opened the bedroom door. I heard soft crying coming from the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and knocked on the bathroom door.
"Hey Mia," I said.
"Owen," she said.
"Hey can you open the door?" I asked.
"No," she said.
"Mia," I said.
"Just go downstairs," she said, "she likes you."
"Amelia," I said, "she's busy with the kids." I heard her sigh and my heart broke. She always got like this when her mother was around.
"Open the door?" I said.
"If you tried it you would see it isn't locked," she chuckled, "idiot." I opened the door and she was sitting on the edge of the tub. She wiped her eyes and smiled at me.
"Idiot," she chuckled. I sat down next to her and she put her head on my shoulder.
"I'm such a baby when she comes into town," she said softly, "I'm sorry."
"You're not a baby," I said, "you're hurt about it, I get it."
"I miss my dad," she said quietly.
"I know," I said.
"I'm still that 14 year old girl who got alcohol poisoning at school in her head," she said.
"You got alcohol poisoning at school?" I said.
"Yeah," she chuckled, "not my finest moment."
"At 14?" I chuckled.
"Yeah," she chuckled, "I'm not proud of it."
"It's okay," I said and put my arm around her, "we all make mistakes but I know you have worked so hard at rehab and recovery, and your mom might not accept it, but I know you're a different person."
"Thank you," she said softly.
"It's just the truth," I said.
"She loves you so much," she said as tears formed in her eyes.
"She loves you too, you know that right?" I said.
"Mhm," she nodded as tears fell down her face.
"I wish my dad was able to meet you, and see our beautiful family," She said.
"Me too," I said, "my dad would have loved you too."
"Ugh my mom just annoys me so much," she sighed.
"I know," I said and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear. I kissed her cheek and then her forehead and she smiled.
"You wanna go downstairs?" I asked.
"I'm gonna get ready for bed," she said.
"Okay," I nodded, "do you want to put the kids to bed with me?"
"Yeah," she said, "I'm okay with it if you want to offer my mom the guest bedroom."
"You're sure?" I said.
"Yeah," Amelia nodded.
"Okay," I said and kissed her lips softly.
"Okay," she giggled. I walked downstairs and the kids were still talking to their grandmother.
"Alright kiddos time for bed," I said, mainly talking to Riley and Noah.
"Okay," they nodded and said goodnight to carolyn.
"Make sure to brush your teeth," I chuckled. They ran upstairs and I turned to Carolyn.
"It's okay with Amelia and I if you want to stay in the guest room down the hall," I said.
"You're sure she doesn't mind?" Carolyn said worried.
"She suggested it," I said.
"Really?" Carolyn smiled.
"Yes," I said.
"Okay, well I think I'll stay," she said.
"Okay," I nodded.
"Is Amelia okay? Is she hiding from me?" She asked.
"No, she's fine, she's just really tired she went to bed," I lied.
"Okay," she said, "goodnight Owen."
"Goodnight," I said. I walked upstairs and Amelia tucked Riley and Noah in bed. I said goodnight to Olivia, Logan, Liam, and Ava. Carolyn was in the guest room downstairs. I opened the bedroom door and Amelia was lying on the bed nuzzled into my pillow.
"Hey," I said.
"Hey," she mumbled.
"You okay?" I asked, I could tell she was very upset.
"Yeah," she said as she rolled over as I sat down.
"Do you want to talk?" I said.
"She resents me," she mumbled.
"She was worried that you didn't want her to stay," I said, "she cared what you thought."
"Is she here?" She asked.
"Yeah," I said, "she also asked if you were okay."
"Mhm," Amelia said softly as she found her way to my chest. She laid her head on my chest and I rubbed her back. I saw her eyes get heavy and she fell asleep on my chest.
"Good night," I said softly.
"Good night Owen," she said softly.