Mr. & Mrs. Hunt

Going Back

Timeline: Caroline is 4 months old.

AMELIAS POV
I've been home for four months with Caroline. Owen took the first two months off with paternity leave and then went back to work. Today was my day to go back. I was really nervous. I was so scared I was going to fall behind, I mean Tom is Chief of Neurosurgery and Derek is an attending, and I'm a fellow competing for my spot, and I've been gone for 4 months. I'm just really scared Tom will turn to others before me because I've been gone for so long. I stepped out of the shower and I heard Owen talking to Caroline. He was the cutest father.
"Caroline today is a day just for you and me," he said softly, "mommy has to go back to work today so we get to spend all day together. What should we do?" Obviously Caroline didn't answer and just made a few baby noises.
"Well we could watch cartoons, or play with your toys, or go shopping," Owen said. I spit my toothpaste out and I walked into the doorway and looked at Owen.
"Sounds like someone has a fun day with daddy planned," I smiled.
"Oh yeah," Owen chuckled, "not sure what we'll do but."
"If you do go out can you pick up more Cheerios from the store? And canned baby food," I asked.
"Yeah we can run to the grocery store, can't we Caroline?" Owen said.
"I don't want to leave," I frowned. I loved being a mother, I knew I would have so much love for Caroline, but it was so much more than I could ever imagine. Everyone was right. You don't know what it's like being a mother until you are one. It's a whole realm of love, responsibility, and happiness. It really is. Being Caroline's mom exhausts me more than anything, but it is the most rewarding and loving experience yet. It really is. It's everything.
"Amelia you love work," Owen said, "I know it's hard, trust me I didn't want to go back either, but hey I did, and I'm okay. We both have good schedules that allow us to do both. We can handle both. You're an amazing mom. Caroline is the luckiest little girl in the world to have you."
"Thank you," I smiled, "but she's extra lucky because she has an amazing dad like you."
-
"Sheps!" Tom yelled, "you're back!"
"I am back," I chuckled as I walked into the ER.
"Great we have a lot to discuss," he said, "starting with that brother of yours."
"Oh god what did he do?" I laughed.
"He is very arrogant," Tom said, "we can't have two arrogant surgeons there's only room for me."
"Right," I chuckled.
"Anyway how's the baby?" He asked.
"She's good," I smiled, "she's really good."
"Does she cry a lot," he chuckled.
"Yeah," I said, "unfortunately she does." He handed me a chart as we started walking for rounds.
"You're scrubbing in on this today," He said.
"Really?" I smiled.
"Yeah? What did you think I was going to do? Stick you on scut?" He chuckled.
"I don't know," I chuckled, "yeah honestly."
"You're completely capable. You pushed a baby out you didn't have a brain altering stroke," he said.
"Thanks?" I chuckled.
"Yes, you're welcome," he said. Derek walked up and hugged me and I smiled.
"You're back," he said.
"I am," I smiled.
"How is Caroline?" He asked.
"She's good," I smiled, "how are the kids?"
"They're good," he said. His pager went off and I frowned.
"I'll see you later Amy," he said.
"Bye," I waved.
"Amy? That's cute," Tom said.
"You don't get to call me Amy," I chuckled as we walked up to the OR.
"Fine," he said as we started scrubbing in.
-
I missed Caroline and Owen so much. I really did. I liked being back but I missed my family. I was sitting in the lunge writing down some post op notes when the door opened.
"Amelia!" Jo smiled, "you're back!"
"I am," I smiled.
"I've seen the pictures Caroline is adorable!" She smiled and sat down next to me.
"She is, but she cries so much," I laughed, "it's actually nicely quiet here."
"I can only imagine," she said, "but hey when you get the chance Derek was asking for you."
"Okay thanks," I said and paged him.
"So how does it feel to be a mom?" She smiled.
"Amazing," I said, "it really is, and Owen is the best father. He's amazing really." The door opened and it was Derek.
"Wanna do a solo craniotomy?" Derek said.
"Really?" I said and shot up.
"Yes really," Derek said, "Tom said your skills are still sharp so let's go." I smiled at Jo and got up. Today was a good day.
OWENS POV
"Okay Caroline which ones do you like?" I asked as I was holding her in the store. We were in the cheerio isle and I chuckled.
"Okay great answer honey nut it is," I laughed and grabbed a box and put it in the cart. We finished shopping and I walked out to the car. I buckled Caroline into her car seat and then loaded the car. I looked at the clock and Amelia should be home soon. I haven't heard from her much today so I hope today was good for her. I unlocked the front door and walked in with the bag of groceries and Caroline. I put Caroline in her highchair and put al the groceries away. Caroline started crying and I frowned.
"What's wrong princess?" I asked and lifted her up. When she didn't stop I knew she was hungry. I opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle and she refused to drink from it.
"Okay Caroline you have to work with me here the milk doesn't come out of me so this is the best we have," I chuckled and tried to get her to take the bottle. Eventually she drank from it and calmed down. I walked over to the couch and laid down as she laid on my chest. I smiled at my daughter. I was finally a dad.