AN: hello once again, I wasn't quite as quick in updating lately, apologies. But thanks for sticking with it. Hope you enjoy this chapter, it's a bit of Alex/Addison relationship development, plus they make a cool decision. I know the name chose is somewhat different, but it has meaning and I like it. Plus we get some insight on Alex! Dun, dun, dun...

So thanks & keep reading, reviewing! Xo, Jaclyn.

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"Obstetrics wouldn't kill you, you know.""How do you know this?" Alex questioned, sipping on his coffee.

"Because you're actually quite good at it, Alex ... c'mon, give it up."

He watched her get dressed from where he was laying in bed, it was Alex's day off. Alex noticed her tummy, it was pretty obvious that Addison was pregnant by now. Every time he saw her, it made him smile, he didn't feel as nervous anymore and had this sort of blind faith that it was going to work out and he was going to be a great dad, because Addison believed in him and more importantly, he believed in himself.

He found himself falling more in love with Addison every day, she was incredible, on many occasions, he'd come to that conclusion, even when she was tired or not feeling the greatest, she still made an effort to take care of him if he needed anything, he'd never met anyone like her in his life who truly valued and loved him unconditionally like she did. Her understanding nature blew him away, she was so quick to reach out and comfort him that he didn't feel like an idiot when talking about his actual hidden pain of a heartbreaking childhood or his understandable fears about becoming a parent himself.

"How far along are you, Dr. Montgomery?"

She smiled at her patient from where she was looking at the fetal monitor, "about 4 and half months."

"You and your husband must be excited."

She thought for a moment husband... she never thought it would be possible to ever consider marrying Alex, but she could totally see it now. Maybe, one day, "yes, my boyfriend and I are very happy about it," she smiled.

Meanwhile, back at the camp, Alex was still lying in bed, he was half way between dozing and just staring at the ceiling, he was bored and missed Addison, it was strange to be in the house without her. He dug around the bedside table looking for his phone, when he had his hand on it, he dialled Meredith's number.

"Hello?" he heard her voice cheerfully answer on the other line.

"Hey Mer, it's Alex. You busy?"

"Oh hey ... nope, not at all. So what are you up to?"

"Nothing much, I've got the day off so I'm just laying around ... Addie's at work so I'm bored."

"Oh yeah, lucky you, day off ... I work tonight. How is Addison feeling?"

"She's feeling good; at least that's what she's telling me. She looks amazing."

"She does. Have you guys thought of names yet?"

"Well, I like Matilda, I haven't talked about it with Addison yet though, I don't think she'll like it. I imagine she wants something cool and trendy ... since well, she is herself."

Meredith paused, "Matilda ... that is different, I like it though, why Matilda?"

Alex smiled, "because it means strength, I guess I want my kid to have that name, because I want my kid to be strong, to be able to hold their own, not let anyone hurt them and if they do get hurt to have the strength to carry on and not let it devour them ... like happened me."

He could hear Meredith sigh, "Alex ..."

"I just want her to have as much strength as she can get."

Meredith was sympathetic, "I understand, that's good reasoning. I think Addison will understand that. Oh, and nothing devoured you, you came through everything with flying colours ... you had a few questionable years though, but you're a good person, Alex. I'm proud of the man you are now."

Alex couldn't let himself cry, even though he wanted to, Meredith saying that to him meant a lot, "thanks Mer that means a lot coming from you."

"Well, it's true and you're welcome. Maybe one day, I'll get my shit together too."

Alex laughed a little, "I'm sure you will ... just give it some time, Grey."

"Thanks Alex ... I gotta go though, I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"Alright. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye."

As he hung up, he realized he really wanted his baby to be a girl ... he had a good feeling about it.

--

"Alex?" He heard his name echo from the front door, he was in the kitchen at the stove when Addison got home from work that day.

He smiled at the sound of her voice, "Hey Addie."

"What are you doing?" She asked walking into the kitchen already in bare feet and undoing the bottom buttons on her shirt, it felt too tight.

He smiled at her rubbing her own tummy, "Making you dinner... spaghetti. Are you hungry?"

She loved him, "you made me dinner?"

"I did ... well, tried." He set a plate in front of her and sat opposite to her with his own plate.

She was a little nervous, Addison didn't know if Ale x could put toast in a toaster let alone make pasta, but she had to try it, he worked hard at it. Cautiously, she twirled a little around her fork and tasted it, it actually wasn't too bad.

She smiled, "good job, Alex."

"Glad you like it. You were nervous though."

"A little, yeah. So how did you spend your day?"

"I didn't do much, talked to Meredith on the phone. She asked if we'd thought about what we're gonna name the baby."

Addison looked at him, she'd wondered for awhile how this conversation was going to come up, "well what did you say?"

Alex wiped his hands with a napkin, "that we hadn't talked about it, but I'd thought about it before."

"Have you?" She questioned, finishing her meal.

They moved from the kitchen into the living room so Addison could be more comfortable, they cuddled together on the couch and Addison put her feet up. Alex couldn't believe how nervous he was to talk to her about names.

Addison stroked Alex's cheek, leaned up and kissed him slowly, "I missed you today," she whispered.

He inhaled, breathing in her scent and rested her forehead against hers, "I missed you too, and I love you..."

She smiled, "I love you too."

Alex rubbed his hand over her stomach, "... and I love you, little one."

Addison took his other hand, "so tell me about baby names."

"Well ... providing the baby is a girl, I would love to name her Matilda."

Addison was surprised, it was not what she expected, "really?"

Alex took a deep breath, "the name means battle strength ... I would love my daughter to have all the strength she can."

He didn't have to explain to her, she automatically understood, "strength is a good thing, she'll have lots with that name and even just from being your daughter."

"I'm not strong," he looked away.

Addison grabbed his chin, making him look her directly in the eyes, "you survived, Alex. You survived that horrible man doing unimaginable things to you, things that it makes me sick to my stomach to think about. The fact that the person that did this was supposed to be your father ; a person who is supposed to love and protect you only makes this worse for me to think about. The stories that you tell me haunt me, fucking haunt me, I would gladly kill that man if it made a difference, but it's not going to now. He left you with nothing and you were there all by yourself to pick up the pieces when you were the victim, the fact that you're the way you are amazes me every day. The fact that you still want to help people after no one did that for you for so long is inspiring, Alex. You don't get it, but you make me want to be a better person."

She'd been wanting to tell him that for a long time.

"I don't think it can get much better than you, Addison."

She smiled and nuzzled against him, "so Matilda what?"

"Your choice, Addie."

She thought for a minute, "... what about Lily? I've always liked that name."

He smiled, "Matilda Lily Karev. I just hope it's a girl."