He sat on the edge of the bed as Addison paced, twisting her hands in front of her nervously. She wished that she had been wearing her glasses because that would have made her fidgeting and anxiousness seem less unusual.
He was watching her, trying to hide his amusement at her evident discomfort. His overall demeanor only served to make her more flustered. He was just…so very Mark.
Past experience told her that he would want to know about the child. He would want her to have the baby…but then what? He wasn't going to barbecue or play catch. He was Mark! Addison would probably be stuck at home, raising the baby.
Although, wasn't that why she had come out here in the first place? She was visiting a friend who was a fertility specialist—she had been planning on having a baby all on her own, with the help of a sperm donor—she was settling for part of the picture.
So why, then, did she feel obligated to tell him? Just because he was the father didn't mean that he had to know. She shouldn't have to settle and be with him just because he is the biological father. She and her child would to just fine on their own.
But, with Mark, it wouldn't be settling. It would just be setting herself up for heartbreak. Mark was the only person (other than Derek) who had the power to break her—and he had, more than once. Something was always wrong with them.
The fairytales all advocate true love, despite the obstacles—because love can overcome. Things just didn't work out like that in real life.
"I heard you wanted to have a baby." Mark stated coolly, waiting for her reaction.
Addison's heart started beating faster. She froze. How had he known that? She hadn't told anyone—not even the Chief. He responded to the quizzical look on her face.
"How did I know, right? You drove out to LA. If you had been coming here for work, you would have flown, I know you. Also, the only reason you would ever come out here is to see Naomi. In New York you told me you were thinking about it, remember? You wanted to get Derek to see you, and you thought that having a baby was the solution."
Addison stared at him, dumbfounded. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, speechless. He continued.
"You shouldn't have aborted our baby."
There it was—the solar plexus blow she had known was coming from the moment that she saw him, and she realized the only reason her abortion could still hurt her was regret. Unconsciously, she raised her hand to her stomach, tears prickling the backs of her eyes.
"I know."