You can do this, you tell yourself as you walk up the familiar path to Seattle Grace. You can do this. You can do this. Even as you repeat this to yourself a couple more times, you still can't help feeling nervous, excited, and anxious all at once. It had been four years. Four long years since you had seen this hospital. Seen the familiar faces of your patients. Seen your former colleagues and interns. Seen Derek Shepherd, the love of your life, even though you were divorced. Divorced. You cringe inwardly as you think of the day four years ago, the day Derek announced he wanted to get rid of you, permanently. You can't say you were surprised, because you were expecting it.
As you walk through the doors of the hospital, it seems that everyone stops what they're doing. Nurses and doctors stare transfixedly as you march purposely toward Richard Webber's office. You look around for a face, his face, but instead you see Bailey and her group of interns. Izzie Stevens is the one that stands out to you, with her extraordinary height and shoulder length blonde hair. Beside her is George, sporting a haircut similiar to Derek's. Cristina is listening to Bailey intently, and you wonder if she is still going out with Preston Burke. Karev is missing from the group, but that's no surprise. He joined Mark in New York years ago to follow in his footsteps as a plastic surgeon. You break out of your reverie as you realize Meredith Grey is staring at you. The woman who probably went after Derek as soon as the papers were signed and the divorce was granted. You want to hate her, but you can't. She was only part of the problem.
You can hear the whispering as you near the interns. They're all probably wondering why you're here. But you don't care what they think, because you're Addison Forbes Montgomery Shepherd (you never got rid of his last name), and you're ready to prove to this hospital that you are over him, no matter what anyone says.
"Addison! What are you doing here?" Miranda exclaims as she engulfs you in a hug.
"I'm here for a consult that Richard needed me for. I'll be here for two weeks." You say the last part while looking at Meredith.
You chat with Miranda for a couple more minutes, all the while searching for Derek. You want him to know that you're here, and that you've moved on. Well, almost moved on.
Miranda excuses herself, but promises that you'll catch up later. As you resume your walk to Webber's office, you can't help but laugh at the shocked expressions on the interns' faces, especially Meredith's. You wonder if her and Derek are married. You didn't see a ring on her finger, but still, you never know.
You finally reach Richard's office. It feels like you've been walking forever. Your feet are aching, but that's what you get for wearing high heels. Still, you know you look pretty damn good. You're about to open the door when you realize someone is already turning the handle to come out. You stop breathing as you come face to face with Derek. Your heart is beating out of your chest, and your palms are starting to sweat, but none of that seems to matter as you stare into his eyes. Those piercing blue eyes that you had gotten lost in so many times before. You hate that he still has the same effect on you, after all these years.
"Addison, what-hi."
A smile plays on your lips as you respond. "Good morning, Doctor McDreamy."