Addie loved traditions, and Wednesday nights at Café Luxembourg had been a tradition for her and Savvy since she graduated medical school and settled on the West Side of Manhattan. She had been very lucky that she had a trust account and was able to buy a brownstone in such a fashionable neighborhood. Derek had wanted to rent some place that they could afford on their income as interns. They'd looked at apartments in Alphabet City and Williamsburg, but Addie had her heart set on living in a brownstone on the Upper West Side. So she had insisted on getting the brownstone, and then she had insisted on hiring a decorator and buying top-of-the line furnishings. She had been brought up to enjoy the fine things in life, and she had been thrilled to escape from student housing after four years in college dorms and four years in medical school housing. Thinking back though, she wondered sometimes if she had been right to insist on getting her way. Maybe Derek would have been happier if he had participated 50/50 in their housing and living expenses, reserving the trust fund for special treats.

She had always thought that money would not be an issue in their marriage because they would both be wealthy doctors. But Derek was just not as interested in what money can buy – apart from buying a Porsche– as she was. He would have been happy with a one-bedroom apartment in a not-yet-gentrified neighborhood. That was one way in, which she was far more compatible with Mark than Derek. Mark also appreciated the finer things in life. Thanks to his family wealth, he had a beautiful penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park. They also had both family wealth and neglectful parents in common.

"Addie?" said Savvy as she sat down across from Addie. "Penny for your thought?"

"They're not worth a penny. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. We're having fun trying to make a baby."

"Wow, congratulations."

"Save the congratulations until I get pregnant!"

"Well, it's great that you've decided to try."

"So how are things going with Mark?"

"Amazingly well. Mark thinks we're a great love story."

"How sweet."

"I feel guilty. How can I be happy with Mark when I know that we destroyed Derek?"

"What makes you think you destroyed Derek?"

"Well, Richard Webber called me last night and told me that Derek has moved to Seattle and started working for him. He made Derek Chief of Neurosurgery."

"That hardly sounds destroyed. Chief of Neurosurgery is a big promotion for Derek."

"But it's in Seattle!"

"Weiss and I were there for a couple days a few years ago. Our Alaska cruise started in Seattle. It's nice size city with some great restaurants. The Pike Street Marketplace is amazing. And Starbuck's was born there."

"It's not New York."

"Well, no place is," Savvy thought for a moment, "Although Paris and London are both pretty amazing."

"Well, Seattle is not New York. I feel like Mark and I drove him from New York."

"It's his choice, Addie. He's a big boy. And he has a great new job. And with his hair and his beautiful blue eyes, I'm sure he'll have women coming after him."

Addie stared at Savvy.

"Addie, you look surprised."

"I just can't imagine Derek with anyone but me."

"Even when you're sleeping with Mark?"

Addie thought for a minute. "Yeah. Derek's loyal. I never doubted he was faithful to me."

"Was faithful, Addie. When you were married and living together. Maybe seeing you and Mark at it in bed gave him the idea his marriage was over."

"I told him we were Addison and Derek that night. I told him we could survive this."

"And then he got in his car and drove to Seattle."

"That's true."

"And you moved in with Mark."

"Well, I couldn't bear being alone in our brownstone. I just keep thinking of him walking out on me."

"Addie, if you want Derek, you should go after him."

"Savvy, I'm living with Mark."

"Do you love Mark?"

"Sure, I love him."

"Is that I love him as a friend or is it true love, like Mark says?"

"Good question."

"Is he good in bed? Certainly, the rumors have always suggested that he is amazing."

"Yes," Addie said with a smile. "But will he be amazing in eleven years? Derek was also amazing for a long time. Recently, we've had a dry spell."

"Now Derek never had Mark's reputation as a lover."

"Well, I had discretion, and we were together pretty much all the time you've known Derek. I've been the only woman in his life since the day we met, the first day of medical school."

"So you're saying they're both great in bed."

"Yes. I've given it some thought, actually. I think Carolyn Shepherd was a big influence on both of them. She taught them that sex is for mutual enjoyment, and both focus on pleasing their partner. You can't believe how many of my patients have partners who don't care at all about their pleasure, who are only having sex for their own pleasure."

"How sad."

"Yeah, that's for sure. So I appreciate Carolyn even if she didn't appreciate me."

"Did she ever say anything to you?"

"No, her manners are great. I just never felt the same warmth I saw her give Kathleen's husband and Lizzie's husband. She wasn't a big fan of Nancy's husband either."

"As I recall, even Nancy isn't a big fan."

"Yeah. And Carolyn did not really like my family. I once suggested that she invite my folks to the family Christmas, but she said there wasn't room."

"Addie, you're being ridiculous. I've been to the Shepherd home. It's nothing like your family's home."

"It's a nice house."

"A nice middle class house. It's understandable that Carolyn was concerned about having your family over. I remember that engagement dinner your parents had, for all the Shepherds and some friends. Your Mom told Amelia Shepherd It's as easy to marry a rich man as a poor man.' I could see the steam rising from Carolyn although she didn't say anything."

"Derek's a rich man. He's a neurosurgeon; surgeons make good money."

"Addie, as far as New York society goes, Derek is middle class. He works for a living and doesn't have any inherited wealth. He makes a good living, but you need a lot more to be considered rich in New York. I don't think Bizzy was thinking of Derek when she said a rich man. He had nothing but debts then. Now in Seattle, Derek is rich although obviously not in the same ballpark as Bill Gates."

"I never complained about Derek's financial status to Carolyn."

"No, you didn't have to, Addie. She knew your parents looked down on Derek, and she resented that. Your families came from two different worlds."

"But I was a good daughter-in-law. And a great sister-in-law. And an amazing aunt."

"All true, Addie. I agree Carolyn should have loved you, but that's not why your marriage is in difficulty."

"You're right about that. But now I don't think Carolyn would ever forgive me."

"I bet she would if you were the mother of Derek's children."

"Maybe, but that's not happening."

"Not if he stays in Seattle, and you stay here. You have a choice, Addie. Derek or Mark? Or even being on your own. What will make you happy?"

"Great question. I don't know. I have a lot to think about."