Disclaimer: I don't own Private Practice, or any of the characters.
Some dialogue is direct from the show, otherwise it is of my creation.
She had always been the sister she had never had, but was it something more than that?
Addison never knew how to react when Amelia Shepherd arrived unannounced. The sheer unadulterated beauty in her presence gave her goosebumps on sight. She needed preparation. She needed warning. If there was one thing Addison Montgomery did not do well with, it was surprises - especially those in the form of one of her ex-Husband's sisters. The sister she never had. The girl whom she had been close with for so long, yet drifted apart as soon as the marriage had failed. Addison felt guilty about that fact; she had been so focused on getting her life back together, herself back together, that she hadn't thought of the effects this severed tie might have had on the other girl. Her 'sister'. Since moving to LA, she could honestly say that she hadn't given Amelia a second thought - well, how could she? Her life had been a mess since moving there, well since before that, but she had been so caught up in all the drama, she had let herself forget. Forget the glare of those icy blues, forget the sheen of the dark mane of hair, the take-no-prisoners attitude. She could honestly say that she admired the girl, yes, that was it, she admired her. That was all. She was just surprised by her sudden appearance in St Ambrose Hospital, in LA, and in her new life. She was surprised. That explained all these thoughts and feelings that overcame her upon sight of the dark-haired young girl. Just surprise.
Addison watched as Amelia challenged Ginsburg, watching the intensity in her eyes, in her body language. She had always been this way. Hurricane Amelia, they used to call her, and the name suited her fiery personality. It was hard to believe that this young girl, this spitfire, had grown up to become an accomplished neurosurgeon. Derek would be proud, Addison smiled. But Ginsburg didn't like to be challenged. The doctor told Amelia she had lost her fellowship, and Addison watched the younger girl's face as she accepted the news, seemingly brushing it off, and continuing with the task at hand. She also watched, as later that day, Amelia completed the surgery. There were complications, but she had made it. Amy had succeeded. And Addison was proud of her, but she needed to curb the recklessness that was so present in the younger girl's nature. The recklessness that could possibly cause harm in the future, and presently caused Amelia to look as though she had quite a bit of self-doubt, even though the surgery had mostly been a major success.
"Amy", Addison began. "Nobody except Derek calls me Amy, anymore", Amelia countered. Addison frowned. "Amelia, you froze. You're reckless, and you freeze, and you are so doubtful of yourself sometimes, that I worry. You did an extremely experimental procedure, and it could've turned out so many shades of wrong, but you did it. And as much as I want to lecture you, you did it. And I am so proud of you." Addison pulls the girl into a hug, and feels the tension in the air dissipate as Amelia relaxes into the embrace. She feels shaky at the contact, and so pulls back quickly and walks away, leaving the brunette staring after her, with what she can predict is a look of unadulterated, pure hurt.
Addison didn't ask why Amelia came home with her after the surgery. It just felt natural, and, she guessed, Amelia didn't really have anywhere in LA to stay now that she had been fired. She sat down, Amelia taking the seat to her right. "I'm worried about you" Amelia frowned, pouring them both a glass of red wine. "Why?" Addison asked. There was nothing for her to worry about. Sure, she was in love with someone else, but so were so many people. She wasn't special. "You're with Pete, but you're in love with Sam. Your best friend's ex-husband." Amelia looked at her with concern. "I'm love them both, Amy. I especially love Lucas." She could feel the worry from her right without even looking into those blue eyes. The younger girl moved over, closer to Addison, and spoke in a hushed tone. "You're settling." Was she, though? Was she 'settling'? She was in love with Sam, but she also loved Pete, and Lucas, and although the whole situation was complicated, she never really thought that she was 'settling'. Although, now that this had been brought up in conversation, she couldn't stop thinking about it. Did she always just settle? She let her mind to drift to the past, to the many failed relationships she had been a part of.
She felt a hand over hers. "Look, I'm sorry, Addie", Amelia apologised. "I just don't like seeing you this way. So..empty." Amelia's thumb stroked the top of Addison's hand. She shivered. Pulling her hand back, Addison gripped the glass of red wine like a lifesaver. "I'm not empty", She retorted, taking a sip. She allowed the bitter liquid to burn her throat before continuing. "I love Pete, I really do. And I love Lucas." Amelia nodded, but Addison could tell that the younger girl was just trying to placate her, and that there was no real intent behind the action. Addison stood up, faking a yawn, and a stretch, hoping to end this conversation. "I'm wiped", she began, starting to turn in the direction of her bedroom. "I need to get to sleep." She didn't wait for a response, and continued to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her and throwing herself onto the bed. It had been a long day. Physically and emotionally. And she really was tired, but she doubted that she would get much sleep that night.