Addie was exhausted. For some reason, all her patients who were close to term had chosen today to give birth, or at least go to the hospital. She had already delivered one set of twins and she had performed two other c-sections. So far, two boys and two girls; the twins were both girls. At this point, they looked like fraternal twins. And all the babies were healthy; it was a great day so far, even if exhausting. She still had two moms in labor, but right now it looked like they would not give birth until tomorrow.
But Addie was planning on staying until the babies were born rather than to entrust the mother to the next doctor on call. She already had bonded with them. She went to her office for a brief nap. As she entered, her phone was ringing, so she ran to get the phone. "Addison Montgomery, here."
"I thought it was Addison Montgomery Shepherd," said a voice that Addison had heard in probably a decade.
"Adele?"
"Yes, it's Adele Webber."
"It's great to hear from you. How are you doing?"
"Fine for the most part. How are you?"
"Fine."
"Really? Derek's in Seattle. "
"I know."
"How can you be fine if your husband is on the other side of the country?"
Addie pondered the question. "Well, I just was responsible for the birth of four healthy babies. It's a good day."
"Addie, you're a wonderful doctor, but there's a lot more to life than work."
"I have a great job here, Adele."
"Richard told me that he wants you to come to Seattle. There are plenty of babies born in Seattle."
Addie laughed. "Yes, babies are born everywhere. But I'm a true New Yorker, born and bred."
"Seattle is great. Richard and I were so happy when we had the opportunity to leave New York and move back to Seattle. New York is great to visit, but Seattle is wonderful. We have a house with an amazing view of the river, and it's so easy to get around this city."
"New York has great mass transit."
"I can't imagine you riding the subway."
"I usually walk. New York is a great walking city. And I've perfected the art of hailing a cab."
"Even in the rain?"
"Oh yes. And I have a couple of driver on my speed dial. I find it very easy to get around the city."
"But your husband is here."
"That's true."
"Are you giving up on your marriage, Addie?"
Addie pondered the question. Since her last dinner with Savvy, she had occasionally thought about her husband. But she was spending almost every night with Mark, and Mark was a lot of fun. And he cared so deeply about her. It felt like it had been along time since Derek was as amorous as Mark is now.
She decided to be honest. "I don't know, Adele."
"You don't know? Addie, I'm talking to you from personal experience. If you want to stay married, you need to fight for your marriage. I did. I was always there for Richard, and he was having an affair. Was Derek having an affair in NY?"
"No, I don't think he would have had time for an affair. He certainly had no time for me. He worked very hard."
"Surgeons work hard. You're no slacker. I'm sure you've been at the hospital for many hours, if not days, if you have just delivered four babies."
"Two were twins, so it was only three deliveries."
"Even so, you've had a long day at the hospital."
"So? When Derek and I were first attendings, Derek was trying to build a name for himself, but he'd only work at night when I was working. If I was home, he was home."
"When did that stop?"
"Maybe three years ago, maybe longer."
"Why did you let that stop?"
"Why blame me?"
"Addie, it takes two people to make a good marriage. You need to fight for your marriage, as I said. I did, and I'm glad. I have Richard, and he's a good man. I love him, and I love living with him."
"I'm glad you're happy with your marriage."
"There were plenty of times when I wasn't. Particularly when Richard was having an affair. But I hung in there and fought for your marriage. What are you doing for your marriage now?"
Addie thought to herself "well, I'm sleeping with my husband's ex-best friend," but she decided to keep that fact to herself. "Adele, this is between Derek and me."
Adele tried another tack. "You know the interns here are calling your husband McDreamy?"
"McDreamy?"
"Yes, the interns think he's dreamy. If you don't get your act together and come out here, some other woman is going to snatch up your husband, and you may wind up being too late to save your marriage."
"Adele, I see you should have gone into marriage counseling as a profession."
"Well, are you going to listen to your marriage counselor?"
"Maybe." Addie decided to indulge Adele. After all, maybe this way it would be easier to end the phone conversation.
"I have to go, Addie, but I expect to see you in Seattle before long."
"Why don't you tell Derek to come home?"
"Because my husband wants him here, and my marriage is more important to me than yours, dear."
Addie laughed. "Glad to know you have your priorities."
"Sure do."
