A/N: I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. I hope people are still interested in this story. I don't know about you, but I was shocked by the season premiere – I definitely wasn't expecting Addison to choose Jake and wasn't expecting to see a Charlotte/Cooper baby storyline – though I do worry for both Addison and Jake's relationship and Charlotte and Cooper's triplets. This show (and Grey's) doesn't exactly have the best track record when it comes to Addison's love life and uncomplicated pregnancies. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, and thanks so much for reading!
"So, I was thinking," Addison began, as she joined Jake in bed. "You're almost always here, and I like that. And Henry likes that. So, I guess, I guess I was wondering…do you want to move in with me?"
A wide smile spread across Jake's face. "You know, traditionally, it's the man who asks the woman that question."
"And, traditionally, it's the woman who moves in with the man," Addison chuckled. "But I'm telling that I love you and I'm asking you to move in with me, so are we going to sit here and talk about traditional social customs, or are you going to give me an answer?"
"Of course I'll move in with you," Jake grinned, as he leaned in and kissed his girlfriend softly – a kiss, which Addison immediately deepened.
"Thank you for saying yes," Addison whispered when they broke apart.
"Thank you for asking," Jake smiled, gently caressing Addison's cheek with his hand.
"So, uh, I was wondering, do you know if Angela has plans this weekend?" Addison asked.
"I don't," Jake admitted. "But I could call her and find out. Why?"
"I want her to have a room here too," Addison explained. "And I thought that maybe she and I could go shopping for things for her room this weekend."
A small smile played on Jake's lips. "Addison, you don't have to do that."
"I know," Addison nodded. "But I want to. So, you'll call her?"
"I will," Jake promised. "Thank you, Addison."
"You know, there are other ways to show me how appreciative you are," Addison said, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
Jake smiled before kissing her passionately. "Well, then" he whispered huskily, "Let me show you just how appreciative I am."
xxxxx
"Addison's late," Cooper frowned, checking his watch. He and Charlotte were meeting with Addison for another ultrasound and to discuss whether or not they wanted to go through with the selective abortion. He had tried to have this discussion with Charlotte several times over the past week, but she seemed distant, and he was having trouble reading her emotions.
"Where the hell is she?" Cooper complained. "She was supposed to be here five minutes ago. I swear, if she and Jake are in her office having sex at a time like-"
"I pushed back the appointment," Charlotte interrupted. "Addison won't be here for another twenty minutes."
"Wait, why'd you do that?" Cooper asked in confusion.
"We need to talk," Charlotte began. "About selective abortion."
"Uh, okay," Cooper said nervously.
"I know I've been kinda distant and pessimistic lately," Charlotte admitted, "but this type of situation isn't something I'm used to."
"It's a first for me too," Cooper said.
"I know," Charlotte agreed. "But I'm used to being in control. I'm good at fixin' problems…other people's and my own. And I don't know how to fix this. I don't know if I can fix this…so this is new for me."
"Yeah," Cooper nodded, as he moved closer to Charlotte and began rubbing her back reassuringly. "I get that."
"I don't want to have a selective abortion," Charlotte confessed. "Call me an optimistic fool, but I want to believe that our babies are gonna be alright. Addison's the best there is, and I'll do everything she tells me to do. And I know that doesn't guarantee anything…but I don't know, I feel okay with this decision…even though I understand that things might not turn out okay."
"They will," Cooper said reassuringly.
"And if they don't," Charlotte continued, meeting her husband's eyes, "I'm prepared to deal with that. You and I can handle that. So I feel good about this decision. I know it's what you want, and it's what I want as well. I just, I needed some time to think the whole situation through."
Cooper leaned in and kissed his wife softly. "I'm comfortable with that decision too," he agreed.
Charlotte smiled against her husband's lips before kissing him back, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in closer, both of them losing themselves in the kiss.
"Now this is what got you here in the first place," Addison teased, as she walked into the exam room.
"Addison, you're early," Cooper accused; he wanted to go back to making out with his wife.
"I'm two minutes early," Addison chuckled, glancing at her watch. "Anyway…" she trailed off, waiting for Charlotte or Cooper to say something.
"We talked it over," Charlotte began, "and I want to try to carry both twins to term. We know the risks, but we're comfortable with that decision."
Addison gave her friends a warm smile. "Okay, then, let's start the ultrasound."
Charlotte nodded, and Addison began the ultrasound. "They're still smaller than they should be," Addison muttered, as she watched the screen closely. "Are you following that high protein diet I put you on and drinking lots of fluids?" she asked Charlotte.
Charlotte nodded. "I am."
"Hmm…I think bed rest is probably the safest bet," Addison said.
"You can't do that," Charlotte insisted. "I have a hospital to run."
"Charlotte," Addison said gently. "You and I are on the same team. We both want to give the babies the best chance possible. And, as your doctor, I'm recommending bed rest."
"What am I supposed to do on bed rest?" Charlotte demanded.
"Uh, well, you could read, watch TV, sleep…" Addison trailed off, noticing that her colleague did not seem intrigued by any of these options.
"You'll figure something out," Cooper said reassuringly, and Charlotte rewarded both him and Addison with one of her patented 'you have got to be kidding me,' glares.
"So, when does the enforced bed rest start?" Charlotte asked.
"Uh, now," Addison answered bluntly.
"No, we need to put it off," Charlotte insisted. "Cooper and I are going house hunting this weekend."
"That sounds like the opposite of bed rest," Addison pointed out.
"You don't have to come," Cooper offered. "I could go house hunting."
"Not alone," Charlotte insisted.
"Fine, I'll bring Sheldon to help me."
"You'll bring Addison," Charlotte corrected.
"Wait, what?" Addison asked in confusion.
"You're going," Charlotte told Addison bluntly. "If me being on bed rest isn't up for debate, you going house hunting with Cooper isn't up for debate either. Does this Saturday work for you?"
"I, uh, yeah, I think it works," Addison stammered.
"Good," Charlotte nodded. "And you'll video chat me in so I can see everything."
"Sounds perfect," Cooper grinned. He turned to Addison. "I'll pick you up at noon, okay?"
Addison sighed, and shook her head in amusement. "Sounds perfect."
xxxxx
"Hey," Sheldon smiled, knocking on the door to Amelia's office, "I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch or something. I'm kind of in the mood for Chinese."
"Thanks," Amelia said, "but I think I'm gonna pass. Chinese food in the middle of the day makes me feel kind of gross."
"Well, we don't have to go for Chinese," Sheldon offered. "How about pizza or sandwiches? I'm up for anything, really."
"I'm actually not that hungry," Amelia said, turning her attention back to the paperwork on her desk.
"Oh, okay, yeah. I should, I should probably try to get some work done today during lunch anyway. Maybe some other time?"
"Maybe," Amelia said indifferently. "I'm really busy, Sheldon."
"Right, yeah, sorry. I'll, uh, I'll leave you alone."
"Thanks," Amelia nodded before returning to her paperwork.
She hadn't been working very long, when a knock on the door interrupted her. She looked up and saw Jake standing in the doorway. "Okay, why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
"Like what?" Jake chuckled.
"Like we're about to have a serious talk," Amelia explained. "Is it Addison? Are things not going well in that department?"
"What? No. Things are fine with Addison. Things are amazing with Addison."
"Oh. Then why are you giving me that look?"
"Why did Sheldon walk out of your office looking like you just killed his cat?"
"Jake, I think you're exaggerating," Amelia insisted.
"I know about you two," Jake said, sitting down across from Amelia. "I know about your arrangement."
"What?" Amelia asked in surprise. "Sheldon told you that we were having sex?"
"Uh, no, no, he didn't," Jake confessed, a look of shock on his face. "Sheldon said that you were sleeping together…just sleeping together, like in the most literal sense possible. He didn't say anything about sex."
"Well, it doesn't matter because it's not happening anymore," Amelia sighed.
"You ended things?" Jake asked.
Amelia shook her head. "He did."
"And you miss him," Jake assessed.
"I do," Amelia nodded. "I mean, you wouldn't expect it, but Sheldon's pretty damn good in bed. I mean, just ask Char-."
"You know, I think I just found out more about Sheldon than I'd ever care to know," Jake admitted uncomfortably. "So how are you holding up?" he asked, his voice softening.
"Pretty terribly," Amelia confessed. "I mean, I can't even go to lunch with him because I don't know how to just be friends with him anymore."
"You should try," Jake said quietly.
"I know," Amelia sighed. "I just-"
"Sheldon's one of the good ones," Jake cut in. "He's worth keeping around. He's worth fighting for."
"As what?" Amelia asked. "A friend? A colleague? A boyfriend? Do you think he's the real deal?"
Jake gave her a warm smile. "I think you know the answer to that."
xxxxx
"Sheldon," Addison smiled, as she stepped into the elevator. "I feel like it's been a while since we last caught up with each other. How are things with you?"
"I need your advice," Sheldon said, pushing the stop button in the elevator.
"Uh, okay," Addison stammered.
"I messed things up with Amelia," Sheldon confessed.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Addison asked in confusion.
"I told her we had to stop having sex because I just wanted to be friends."
"You and Amelia were having sex?" Addison asked in surprise. "She would have told me."
"We were keeping it quiet," Sheldon explained. "We didn't think anyone around here would understand. Plus, with the way that gossip spreads around this place...Anyway, we didn't tell anyone."
"So, wait, how long has this been going on? When did this start?"
"It's not like I know the exact date," Sheldon shrugged. "I don't know; it just sort of happened. One minute we were just sleeping together…in the most literal sense…and the next we were actually sleeping together. It's been happening for a couple of months."
"But now it's not happening?" Addison asked.
"Right," Sheldon nodded. "And I miss it."
"Well, that's to be expected," Addison smirked.
"But I don't just miss the sex," Sheldon insisted. "I mean, I miss the sex. But I miss her too."
"Have you talked to her about it?" Addison asked.
"I can't. I was the one who said we had to stop having sex."
"And you could be the one to admit you were wrong," Addison pointed out.
Sheldon sighed. "But I don't know if I'm wrong. She just sees me as sex, and I don't see her that way. And if we continue to go down that path, I'm going to get hurt. And I'm going to lose her as a friend, and I don't want that. I don't know…could you talk to her?"
"Are you sure you want me to get involved in your sex life?" Addison asked in confusion.
"Well, not necessarily involved," Sheldon backpedaled. "But you two are like sisters. I know she'd talk to you."
"I mean, I guess I could say something to her," Addison shrugged. "But I'm not gonna force it. She knows me too well, and she'll know you put me up to it."
"Okay," Sheldon agreed. "Hey, Addison?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think I'm being stupid? I mean, on paper, Amelia and I make no sense. But when I'm with her, all that goes out the window. When I'm with her it doesn't matter that she's a lot younger than I am, or that she's probably still in love with Ryan. When I'm with her, all of that seems to fade into the background. Am I being irrational? Should I just walk away?"
"I don't think you're being stupid," Addison said. "You know, ever since my mother died, I've become a big proponent of going after the things that you want, and you clearly love Amelia."
"I never said-"
"I know," Addison smiled. "You didn't have to."
xxxxx
"I like this house," Addison approved, as she and Cooper walked into the living room of one of the houses that Charlotte and Cooper's realtor had suggested. "This is definitely my favorite by far."
Cooper nodded. "I like it too. What do you think Charlotte?" he asked his wife, moving his phone around the room so that Charlotte could see it.
"I think it looks nice," Charlotte commented, "but it's hard for me to tell. Addison, what are the selling points of this room?"
"Okay," Addison nodded. "Lots of space. Great fire place…very romantic."
"I'm gonna have three kids," Charlotte commented. "Romance is gonna go out the window. What else you got?"
"Great view," Addison smiled, drawing back the curtains so that Charlotte could check out the view for herself.
"Okay," Charlotte approved. "Let's check out some more rooms."
"Okay," Cooper agreed, as he and Addison made their way through the rest of the house.
"Whoa, you've got to see this tub!" Cooper exclaimed, as he pushed open the door to the bathroom adjoining the master bedroom. "It's huge. I mean, you could live in here."
"Cooper, we're not buying a house just because you like the tub," Charlotte scolded.
"Hey, I like the whole house," Cooper defended. "I'm just saying this tub's a nice perk."
"It is nice," Addison admitted.
"See," Cooper smiled smugly. "So what do you think?"
"About the tub?" Charlotte asked irritably.
"No, about the house," Cooper chuckled.
"Oh, uh, I like it," Charlotte nodded. "I think this house is the one."
"I do too," Cooper smiled.
xxxxx
"Hey, what do you think of this bedding?" Addison asked, as she gestured towards an elegant purple, black, and white comforter set.
"I like it," Angela smiled.
"Do you really like it?" Addison asked. "Or are just saying you like it because I suggested it, and you don't want to make me feel bad?"
"I really like it," Angela laughed. "How could I not. You have incredible taste…in everything."
"I'm not sure how true that is," Addison chuckled. "But I do like this bedding."
"I do too," Angela agreed.
"So, will you let me buy it for you?" Addison asked.
"Oh, you don't have to do that. Jake gave me money to go shopping," Angela said, reaching for her purse.
But Addison was vehemently shaking her head. "Please let me buy this for you. I want to."
"Are you sure?" Angela asked.
"Definitely," Addison nodded.
"Okay," Angela agreed. "Thank you, Addison. But lunch is on me then."
"Okay," Addison laughed. "That sounds fair."
"You know, I never had someone to go shopping like this when I was growing up," Angela began. "This is really nice."
Addison gave her a warm smile. "It is," she agreed. "You know," she began, "I love to shop, so if you ever find yourself in the mood to do some shopping and in need of a shopping partner, you should call me."
"Really?" Angela asked in surprise.
"Of course," Addison nodded, as she handed the cashier her credit card to pay for Angela's bedding. "I mean, I'm sure you have girlfriends who you probably go shopping with, but I'm always an option as well."
"You know," Angela began, "I might just take you up on your offer."
Addison smiled widely. "I hope you do."
xxxxx
After dropping Angela back off at school, Addison returned home. As she walked through the front door, she could hear Jake's voice coming from the living room.
"Now I need you to listen to me, Henry," she heard Jake tell her son, "because this is very important." Addison sneakily made her way towards the living room, eager to hear what type of important knowledge Jake was about to impart to Henry.
"Your first word has to be Mama," Jake explained. "That's really important. Your mom loves you so much, and it would make her so happy. After that, feel free to say whatever you want. But mama needs to be your first word. I mean, I guess I'd be pretty thrilled if Jake was your second word, but no pressure, Little Man. You just work on saying mama, okay?"
"Do you always say and do perfect things?" Addison teased, as she joined them in the living room. "Or do you save them up and whip them out whenever you're around me or when you hear me coming?"
"I didn't know you were here," Jake grinned, meeting Addison's eyes. "And I could say the same thing to you."
Addison looked at him in confusion.
"Angela texted me a little while ago," Jake explained, gesturing to his phone. "She said she had a really great time with you today."
"I had a nice time too," Addison smiled, as she took Henry from her boyfriend. "You did a really good job raising her."
"Well, she's a big fan of yours," Jake grinned. "I guess she takes after me in that respect. Thank you again for going shopping with her today."
"You know, it's exactly how I imagined it," Addison reflected.
"Um, I'm not sure I'm following," Jake admitted.
Addison bit her lip, weighing her words carefully. "I always thought I'd have a daughter," she confessed. "Don't get me wrong, Henry's amazing. He's better than amazing. It's just, whenever I used to imagine myself having a child, I always imagined having a girl. I don't know why. I guess I kind of figured that I'd be able to handle a girl…you know, hair, make-up, shopping…all the things I'm good at." She met her boyfriend's eyes and sighed. "I know this is stupid, but sometimes I worry…that I'm not going to be enough for Henry…you know, because I-"
"Addison, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Jake interrupted. "You're an amazing mother to Henry. It's so obvious that he loves you so much."
"No, I know that," Addison agreed. "It's just, I worry that when he gets older…I worry that I'm not going to be enough."
"Impossible," Jake disagreed.
"Come on, Jake," Addison reasoned. "I hate dirt and bugs and nature. I can't even read the sports section of the newspaper without falling asleep."
"Doesn't matter," Jake insisted. "Addison, you love Henry more than anything. You would do absolutely anything for him. And he loves you more than anything. And that's not going to change. He's not going to care if you hate dirt or don't know the difference between a touchdown and a homerun. You're his mother…and you're always going to be enough."
Addison met her boyfriend's eyes. "You're doing it again," she smiled.
"Doing what?" Jake asked in confusion.
"Saying perfect things," Addison chuckled.
Jake shook his head. "That's just the truth. You've got to trust me on that."
Addison looked at him skeptically.
"Lily died when Angela was eleven," Jake said quietly. "And, after that, I pretty much raised Angela by myself. And, to this day, I can't make a ponytail to save my life. But Angela doesn't care. She never cared. I was there for her whenever she needed me, and that's what our relationship is all about. That's what matters. That's what's important. And I, I know it's going to be like that for you and Henry. It already is." He paused for a moment and met her eyes. "Although, I don't see you raising Henry alone," he smiled.
"Really?" Addison breathed.
Jake nodded. "I told you that when I go in, I go all in. I'm all in, Addison. Just like you."
"I never said-"
"You didn't have to," Jake grinned. "You spent the day shopping with my daughter for new bedding for her new room, because it was important to you that she had a room in your house."
"Our house," Addison corrected.
Jake looked at his girlfriend adoringly. "See," he chuckled. "Things like that…small things like that are exactly why you didn't need to say anything."
xxxxx
Sheldon was just about to cook dinner when he heard a knock at the door, and quickly made his way out of the kitchen to answer it. He opened the door and swallowed hard when he saw Amelia standing there in front of him.
"Amelia, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I, uh, I owe you lunch," Amelia explained.
"What?" Sheldon asked in confusion.
"The other day, you invited me to lunch, and I turned you down. And I know that it's technically dinner time, but I owe you lunch, so I brought lunch," she said, gesturing to the takeout in her hands. "I didn't know if you wanted Chinese or pizza or sandwiches, so I-I got all of them."
"Amelia," Sheldon smiled, taking the pizza box from her hand, "you didn't have to do this."
"I know," Amelia nodded. "But I wanted to."
"Well there's something to be said about going after the things you want," Sheldon agreed, remembering Addison's words from their elevator therapy session.
"I'm glad you think so," Amelia nodded. "Because there's something else I want. And I'm pretty sure you want it too."
Sheldon swallowed hard. "What's that?" he asked.
He barely had time to get the words out before Amelia crashed her lips up against his. He responded immediately, dropping the pizza box in his hands to the floor, and wrapping his arms around her waist, drawing her in close, as they kissed heatedly.
"I want this," Amelia breathed when they broke apart. "I want this."
