Chapter 1- Past Life
A/N Hie guys! This story is about how two of the most important women in Derek Shepherd's life cope with his death. So, it starts with Meredith leaving Seattle after Derek's death. I felt that the show should have given Meredith a bit more time to grieve. Also, there is no mention of Addison at all. So, here is some filling the gaps. I have tried not to tamper with the original story line!
Also, thanks in advance for reading and please, please write reviews! :)
This being a fan fiction, I own none of the characters. All are written by and property of Shonda Rhimes.
Addison lay awake in her bed thinking, wondering, still unable to grasp the situation. Amelia had called her last evening, to give her the sad news. The man that had once shared her life for almost 12 years was gone. Dead.
After the divorce, she had buried all their memories in a small tiny box, both literally and figuratively. That was the only way that she was able to move on, cope with the situation. Her last year in Seattle had been the hardest, the most painful. She had literally thrown the rings he had given her in the sea to try and let go of their marriage. She had even sold their house and given away almost all of their belongings to charity. All she had kept were their pictures, their wedding album, some notes and letters that he had given her when they were in college and some other things that couldn't be given away or couldn't be sent to Derek's mother. Giving up traces of her past life had been very hard for her. She just didn't have the heart to destroy all evidence that their marriage ever existed. But she had packed away all the traces in small box and hidden it in the back of the garage. Letting go of her life with Derek was the hardest thing she had done. But she had gotten through that. And now, he was gone, and all she had of him were memories and that one box, which sat somewhere in the garage, long forgotten.
For a larger part of those 12 years, Addison and Derek had been, well, "Addison and Derek", the couple that was meant to be. Granted, that all their time was not happy, and the last few years had been particular unbearable for Addison. Mark and then the divorce and then the moving on part. But, that didn't take away the good memories they had had together. Their last year at the med school, their graduation, the wedding, all the Christmas shopping and many many happy times, before all the bitterness had come along which had then become their marriage.
Addison simply couldn't take it anymore, she wanted to throw things and cry, but Jake was still peacefully asleep in their bed, and she didn't want to wake him up. In fact she didn't want him to see her crying over her ex-husband. So she got up and went outside to the patio. It was still dark outside. The cool sea breeze ran through her hair as she smelled the scent of the sea, which had become more than familiar now. It had almost become a part of her. On her way, she had checked on Henry, asleep in his room, and smiled, wondering how quickly her baby had grown, forgetting for a moment about Derek.
As she stepped out on the patio, the tears started flowing. No longer able to control herself, she just sat on the beach chair, crying silently repeating the same words over and over in her mind,
"Derek Shepherd is dead!"
She couldn't wrap her mind around the fact. But it was true. As true as the cool night breeze. Derek Shepherd was dead!
She cried for so long that her eyes were sour and her nose was all runny. All the memories were flowing through her mind like wind on the desert sand. The box was open, wide open and there was no closing it now.
When Addison came back to her senses it was already dawn. The sun had started to rise and the rays were falling on the sand making it glow. She got up, unable to help herself and went to the garage. After about half an hour of rummaging she found the box she was looking for. It was still the same, covered in dust and cobwebs, but otherwise untouched by time. The brown cardboard had faded around the corners and the tape was peeling off from one side, but otherwise it was exactly as she had kept it nine years ago.
Addison brushed off the dust and took the box back to the living room. The box was a bit heavy for its size. She set it on the carpet and peeled the tape to open what had been a treasure to her ten years ago. The things that had once been her life, now almost forgotten!
A/N Sorry for blabbing again, but I wanted to ask anyone who has bothered to read till here if they have any ideas of what will Addison decide to keep. I have some ideas already but i would like to know yours. Thanks again for reading till here! :)