A/N Hey guys so I this popped into my head and I decided to go for it! Let me know what you think :)
Vivian Shepherd wasn't one to eavesdrop, especially not on conversations between her dad and Meredith, but they were talking about Addison. Addison, her mother who had left her ten years ago with no word. Uncle Mark always said that Addison just wanted to give Viv the best life possible, but the fifteen year old wasn't buying it.
"Do you think she'll want to see Viv?" Meredith asks.
"I'm not going to let her." Derek tells his long time fiancee. Vivian sighs from her hiding place at the top of the stairs. "She can't see Viv."
"Look Derek I know it's not really any of my business but Viv is going to want the truth one day. Take it from someone who never really knew her dad." Meredith says. Viv rolls her eyes. It wasn't that she didn't like Meredith, she did, but Meredith always seemed to think she could relate to Viv.
"I'm not ready for that." Derek says so quietly that Vivian has to lean in to listen. The conversation goes on but Vivian gives up on listening and sneaks back to her bedroom.
Vivian looks in the floor length mirror and takes in her appearance. Her long red hair and ocean colored eyes didn't come from her father. They came from Addison. Vivian looked so much like her mother that it was impossible for anyone to pretend otherwise. 'Does Addison look in the mirror and think of me?' Viv wonders curiously. Vivian sighs again before walking away from the mirror and opening her desk drawer. She pulls out the one picture she has of her and her mother. Viv was about three, two years before Addison left her. Back when they lived in the New York Brownstone. Back when they were all happy. In the photo Addison has Viv on her lap and they are smiling up at the camera. It always made Viv teary eyed to look at the picture. How did things get so messed up?
…
Addison Montgomery walks through the doors of Seattle Grace hospital. The last time she'd been in this lobby she'd said goodbye to her daughter, leaving her in the care of Derek. She looks around, it looked exactly the same as it did a decade ago.
"Addie!" Addison looks up to see Mark. She grins and hugs him tightly. He'd been her only connection to Seattle and her daughter.
"Do you wanna meet the patient now or do you wanna take your stuff to my place?" Mark asks her after the pull out of the hug.
"I can stay at a hotel ya know?" Addison replies but when Mark gives her a pointed look she sighs. "Fine I suppose I should take my stuff to your place."
"Alright, I can drive you over, I have a lunch break." Mark says as he takes one of her bags from her. "Jesus Addison how many shoes do you need for a week?"
Vivian looks up quickly. She had recently sat down in the lobby to wait for her dad but she heard Uncle Mark say her mothers name from across the room. Viv quickly gives this woman the once over. She looked the same as she did in the photo only more beautiful in person. Viv's heart races. Her mother was here, in the same room as her. She had to fight the urge to run over and start asking questions.
"Hey Viv, your dad got called into a surgery so I'm gonna take you home. We can stop for dinner on our way okay?" Meredith asks pulling Vivian from her thoughts.
"Uhm okay, but, uh, let's take this way!" Viv says pulling Meredith in the opposite direction of Mark and Addison. If Viv had any hope of meeting Addison than she had to keep Meredith away from her.
…..
It was for the best. Derek had a point, she was a horrible mother. She had cheated on her husband with her daughter's Godfather, She should have just left them alone when Derek packed up Viv and moved them to Seattle. She shouldn't have flown across the country in hopes of making things better. Now Vivvie would just be more confused. Addison holds her daughter close to her and tries not to cry.
"Vivvie look at Mommy for a minute okay?" Addison says as she pulls away from the five year old. Her daughter looks up at her. "I love you more than anything in this whole world."
"I love you too mommy." Viv smiles. Addison's heart breaks.
"Mommy has to go away for a little bit okay? But daddy and uncle Mark and Grandpa Richard are going to take good care of you." Addison tries to explain to her daughter.
"NO! Mommy don't leave! I wanna come too! I don't wanna miss you again!" Vivian exclaims throwing her arms back around Addison's neck. Addison loses all self control and her tears start to flow steadily. She looks up to see Meredith watching them. Addison lifts her daughter on to her hip and walks to the blonde.
"Take Vivian to Derek." Addison says prying the hysterical child from her and handing Meredith an envelope. "I love you Vivvie."
"Mommy!" Vivian screams reaching for her mother. "NO MOMMY!" Addison cries as she exits the hospital. The only thing keeping her from turning around was knowing that Derek would take care of Vivian.
Dear Derek, yesterday you told me that I am a horrible person and an even more horrible mother. You took it back but the thing is you're right. We could keep on pretending that we have a chance to make this work but we both know we don't. I'm leaving now before Viv has a chance to really know me. I want to shield her from it. My one request is that you and Mark make up, not for me but for our daughter. She loves him and she's going to need as much family as she can get. I love you Derek, I always have and I always will. I signed the divorce papers, as you can see. I hope you love Meredith the way I love you. Marry her, let her help you with Viv. Our daughter is going to need a mother someday and as you and I both know, it can't be me. Take care of her Derek. All my love -Addison.
