Author: PeppermintPatty09

Title: What Makes A Family

Rating: K for Kiddie safe. Rating will change in later chapters.

Fandom: Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice

Pairings/Characters: Addison/Meredith

Genre: Romance, Family

Summary: A/U; Single moms Addison Montgomery and Meredith Grey start a friendship through their young daughters, that develops into more. This is pretty much a fluffy, romantic, family centric story with slight angst and drama.

Disclaimer: The characters of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice are proudly owned by Shonda Rhimes, production company ShondaLand, and broadcast station ABC. No copyright infringement is intended. Alyssa Harper Grey, Ella Rose Forbes Montgomery are my own.

Authors Note: If the idea of two women or men loving each other and are in a romantic relationship is against your views, please look elsewhere. All mistakes are my own.

(2)Author's Note: So, I really hate when people leave a long author's note so I'm going to try and make this short - here's praying. First things, this is my first Grey's Anatomy story. My dear wife, charmedbywits or to me Crista, talked me into writing a story for the pairing (Addison and Meredith) so we can compare notes. Yes, we are that boring and pathetic but it's how we roll. Second, I really, really, I mean, really shouldn't be write or starting a new story. I have two that's WIP's on another site and I co-write a lot with my wife. But, it's a new year, a new start for second chance and my horoscope told me change was in the air for me - I am inclined to believe it but I have to embrace it and blah blah blah. And I interpreted that as start a new story, Patty! So, read and review if you like the story or not. I really hate wasting my time on a story if no one likes it. Review even is it's to say, "Patty, this is one crappy story. Please, spare our brain cells and eye sight by taking it off the board."

Playlist: Beautiful Day - U2

Chapter: One

A Start Of A New Year and Beginning

She held her breath, blue eyes staring anxiously and excited at the violet blue LED light of her tiny Hello Kitty alarm clock, willing the time to go faster. It was seven in the morning but her mommy made her promise to not wake her up before seven-thirty. Ella Rose Forbes Montgomery always prided herself in being a good girl and always obeyed her mommy. So, when she woke up excited and eager for her first day of "big girl" school and saw she was one finger and a half early to wake up her mommy, she decided to play with her dolls and read a little. After ten minutes in little girl time, she grew bored and decided to sit and look at the time, egging it to go faster. But, she soon found out, that time goes by slower if you stare and stare and stare at it. And she thought that, that sucked! But she would never say that word; the S-word out loud. She was a good girl, after all.

Ella's face split into a wide grin when she saw her mommy's smiling face peek around her door.

"Good morning, Ella-bella," Addison greeted her six year old with a bright smile.

"Mommy!" Ella loudly exclaimed, running into her mommy's open arms. After a moment of cuddling with each other, Ella wiggled herself out of her mommy's arms. "I start big girl school today," Ella stated.

Addison brushed her daughter's strawberry-blonde hair away from Ella's bright blue eyes. "I know, baby-girl, and mommy is soooo proud of you." Addison eyes started to glisten at the thought of her baby growing up. She swears it was just yesterday she was bring her baby girl into the scary yet so breathtakingly beautiful world.

"Mommy," Ella whimpered, her own eyes watering a bit. "Don't cry. I'll always be your little girl. I promise." Ella reached inside her pink and white princess robe. "Here," Ella handed Addison a wad of tissues, "Aunt Nae said you'll get emotional and would need tissues," Ella said, remembering how her Aunt Nae explained that mommy was a walking hormone. She had laughed with her Aunt Nae even though she didn't know what that meant.

Addison laughed, tears flowing freely down her porcelain cheeks, "Thank you." Addison wiped her eyes. "Okay, what do you want for breakfast? Pancakes, waffles, or French toast?"

Ella bit her bottom lip, "I would like pancakes."

"Blueberry, chocolate chip or banana?"

"Chocolate chip. I'll need the extra energy - it's going to be a busy, fruitful day for me."

Addison let out an amused chuckle. "You need to stop listening so much to your Aunt Nae and Uncle Sam." Addison stood from her kneeling position. "Shall we meet in precisely twenty minutes for breakfast, Princess Ella?" Addison asked in her faux-posh English accent.

"Certainly, My Queen," Ella said through her childish giggles. She really did have the best mommy in the whole galaxy.

Addison bowed slightly before she went downstairs to fix breakfast for her little first grader.


"Ally, you have exactly five minutes to get your little booty down these stairs and into the kitchen. Or else I'll get the water hose on you!" she screaming from the base of the stairs.

"I'm coming. No need to get your underwear in a wad!" was a grumbled yell back. "And we don't have a water hose." Alyssa (Ally) Harper Grey slipped on her black converse and tying them bunny-ear style before she grabbed her batman backpack off her bed.

"I'll find one and use it on you, Missy," Meredith said, trying to think if any of her neighbors even own a water hose. They all lived in luxury penthouse apartments.

"Whatever," Ally grumbled, stomping down the stairs.

Meredith looked into her daughter's cobalt blue eyes. "Took you long enough. C'mon, your breakfast is cold, Ms. Grumpy Pants."

"Mommy," Ally laughed, "It's cereal. It's suppose to be cold."

Meredith smiled fondly at her little monster. She kneeled in front of her monster, double tying Ally's shoes and brushed her daughter's honey blonde hair into a messy ponytail knowing how her daughter hated it when people messed and girly-up her hair. Alley Grey was anything but a girly-girl.

"Sometimes, Ally-bear, you're just too smart for your own good."

"Auntie Christina says I get it from her," Ally informed her mother as they walked into the kitchen. Ally seated herself at the table, pulling her Lucky Charms cereal closer to her. She sighed when she noticed that her precious cereal already was soggy. "Why don't you make pancakes or waffles or eggs for breakfast like Nana Susan? When I spend the night, she always, always makes me batman pancakes." Ally took a bite, waiting for her mommy to answer.

"I don't possess those kind of skilla that your Nana Susan does. I'm a unique specimen. Plus, I really don't wanna burn down our house," Meredith smirked at her daughter. "And, hey, I can make pancakes, waffles and eggs if you want them."

"Frozen pancakes are not same as real pancakes." Ally reached out a grabbed her orange juice, taking a healthy swallow and pushing her now empty bowl and cup away from her.

Meredith chuckled, rising out Ally's dirty bowl, spoon and cup. "Get your lunch box. I packed you an extra bag of cookies and chocolate milk. I figured, it was okay since it was an extra special day."

"Yes!" Ally fist pumped. She grabbed her lunch box from the kitchen island, stuffing it into her matching batman backpack. Ally slipped on her Batman jacket that her mommy handed her. Once her jacket was zipped up, she'd pulled on her backpack.

"Are you ready to go?" Meredith grabbed her messenger bag, cell and keys from the table.

"I guess," Ally looked at her mommy with wide scared and nervous blue eyes.

"Hey, Ally-bear, it's going to be okay. I promise." Meredith kissed her daughter on the forehead. "I know it's a little scary going to a new school, meeting new people, but I promise it's going to be okay."

Ally pumped up her chest. "I'm ready. Let's blow this joint."

"You really need to stop listening to your Auntie Christina and Uncle Alex," Meredith muttered.

Meredith and Ally headed out to Meredith's black BMW X6. After Meredith got Ally settled into her booster seat, double and triple checking her precious cargo was safely buckled in properly, she made her way over to the drivers side. Meredith buckled in her own seatbelt before starting the engine. She patiently waited until Ally found a movie of her choice to watch on the small LCD TV attached to the roof the car. She smiled sadly when she saw Ally picked out batman, again. Once Ally was content, she turned back, smiling at Ally and backed slowly and cautiously out the parking garage.


Thirty minutes later, Meredith and Ally pulled into the parking lot of Ally's new private school, Dalton Academy. After getting Ally out of the car, Meredith and Ally made their way to the admittance office.

"Good morning," greeted a overly cheery robust red-head with thick framed glasses, deep red lipstick and smelt of too much perfume and cats. "How may I help you today?"

Meredith smiled kindly at the woman. "Good morning," Meredith kindly repeated back. "My daughter, Alyssa Harper Grey, was registered last month for first grade. I was told to come here for her class number," Meredith explained as she ran her hand up and down her daughter's back, hoping to sooth her. She could practically feel the tension in her daughter's body. Ally may seem tough on the outside but deep down her daughter was shy and wary of strangers and took forever to trust anyone.

"Oh, yes! We've been expecting you. My name is Ms. Greene but everyone calls me Peggy." Peggy looked down at Ally, clinging to Meredith leg. "Welcome to Dalton Academy, Miss. Grey. We're happy to have you."

"Thank you," Ally whispered, shyly.

"Okay, let's get you started," Peggy pulled a large binder towards her and flipped through it for a few minutes before she looked at Ally with a jolly grin. "You, Miss. Alyssa Grey, are in Mrs. Webber's class." Peggy looked around secretly before she leaned towards Ally over the large counter. "Don't tell anyone this…Mrs. Webber is my favorite. Just keep this between us," she whispered.

Ally nodded happily. She loved secrets and was the perfect secret keeper.

"Mrs. Webber is in class 4B. It's located on the B-wing. Would you like someone to escort you?"

"No, I think we got it. Thank you, though," Meredith politely declined.

Peggy looked at Ally's attire adorably but sad. Ally was wearing a dark black and violet batman shirt with batman soaring through the air as he battle two-face and the joker, skinny jeans, and black converse that had scribbles on the side of them. "Oh, honey, I hate to be the bearer of mad news. We're a dress-coded school. You have to wear uniform."

Meredith sighed, "What's the dress code."

Peggy pointed to a poster. "Khaki pants for the boys, Khaki skirts or dresses for the girl. She needs a collared shirt, green or a navy blue. Those are our colors here. Skirts have to be knee-length and she must have knee-socks or stockings on. For those we allow white, nude, or one of our colors. Though, I've only see girls wear green stockings on St. Patty's Day," Peggy laughed and Meredith gave her a small smile. But here's the fun part…there's no dress code for your shoes. You can wear anything you want. Now," Peggy pulled out a paper. It was a map of the whole school. "If you go to the D-wing, there's a school shop where parents can by uniforms, supplies and such like that. Since it's your first day here, I'll write you a note and excuse you, however, tomorrow you must be in uniform."

"Thank you," Meredith said gratefully.

Meredith and Ally stayed a few more minutes so Peggy can write out Ally's waiver for the day. Once finished, they made their to the B-wing. They found Ally's class room within minutes. Outside 4B's door a slim-red head kneeling in front of her daughter, talking softly to her as she tied her daughter's Princess shoes.

Meredith turned to Ally. "Sorry, kiddo. I didn't know about the dress code," Meredith looked at her daughter with apologetic blue eyes.

"It's okay, mommy. It wasn't your fault." Ally started to sniffle and tears began to pool into her deep blue eyes.

"Oh, honey," Meredith voiced cracked. She pulled a whimpering but not crying Ally into her arms. "It's going to be okay, I promise. You know I never break my promises. At two O'clock, I'll be right here, waiting for you to tell me all about your exciting first day. Do you have your lucky quarter with you?" Meredith whispered.

"Yes," Ally said softly. She pulled back, pulling out her necklace that had a quarter hanging from its chain. Ally kissed the quarter before she tucked it back inside her shirt. "I'll be okay," Ally said, more confidently. Her lucky quarter always made her feel safe.

"I know you will." Meredith kissed Ally on her cheek, forehead and nose before she stood. "Let's go meet you're teacher."

After meeting Mrs. Adele Webber, Meredith felt confident that her daughter would be well looked after. Mrs. Webber was a kind, smiling, soft spoken African-American woman and Meredith instantly liked her. She told Mrs. Webber about Ally's sever Asthma and her allergies to strawberries and walnuts and bees.

"All right, Ally-Cat, it's time for me to go. Give me a hug goodbye."

Ally gave her mom a tight hug, breathing in her scent, lodging it in her throat and memory, letting it sooth her and calm her.

Ally pulled back with a smirked that nearly broke Meredith's heart at the sight, along with her eyes and nose. "Up top, mommy," Ally said. Meredith laughed and high-fived her daughter. "Give me some knuckles." Meredith continued to laugh as she bumped her closed fist her daughter's. "Give me some zaps," Ally's small, daintily index finger was held out. Meredith touched it with the tip of her own, both letting out a elongated zzzz sound until they broke apart shaking their index finger as if they were shocked.

With one final hug and a wave good-bye to Mrs. Webber, Meredith said good-bye to her daughter.

Unbeknownst to her she was being watched. Addison watched the whole scene with an amused, small smile on her face until she bade goodbyes to her own daughter and made her way towards her sleek, glossy black Porsche Cayenne SUV.


Well…What do you think? Feedback is welcomed.