Disclaimer: I own nothing; characters are the property of Shonda and ABC.
Addison stood frozen, looking at Jake in near horror. "What?!"
"I asked you to marry me." he replied, opening the blue box to reveal a stunning 4 carat princess cut diamond in a platinum setting.
"Jake, I…Is this a joke?"
"I've never been more serious in my life. I love you, and I want you to be my wife."
Addison raised an eyebrow at the rhyme. "This is rather sudden…Why are you asking me now?" she asked, stalling for time.
"I told you, I couldn't wait any longer. I want you to be mine. I want you to have my ring on your finger, so that everyone will know that you belong to me."
Both eyebrows shot up at that statement. "I beg your pardon, belong to you? I am no one's property."
"No, I just meant that I want other men to know that you're off the market…spoken for."
"So, you're proposing because you're insecure? You don't trust me?"
"NO! No, that's not it. I trust you completely, I just don't trust the other men."
"Men or man?"
"What?"
"Is this about Derek? Are you jealous, is that why you're proposing now?"
"No, I've had this ring for weeks, it has nothing to do with Derek. Though it is interesting that you bring him up now," he replied getting up from the floor.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, why would you bring up your ex-husband during a marriage proposal from another man?"
"I'm simply trying to figure out where this is all coming from, why are you getting so defensive?"
"I'm not defensive!" he yelled. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his voice and continued, "This is not at all how I planned this." He sighed and looked into her eyes, "Alright, come here let's sit down." He moved some of the flowers out of the way so they could sit on her couch. "I know that you are the woman I will spend the rest of my life with, but you've been hurt so I can understand your hesitancy." Addison opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by his raised hand. "So I have a proposal…well another proposal anyway. I'm going to be gone nearly two weeks, so I want you to think about it while I'm gone. I want you to picture who you see yourself growing old with; when you're arthritic and grey, who's the man sitting next to you?" He paused. "To help your decision, and so that you don't have any doubts when we do marry, consider us…well, consider us on a break."
Addison's eyebrows shot up, "On a break?"
"Yes, I want you to do whatever you need to, so that you know for a fact that I am the man for you."
"So you're breaking up with me?"
"No, I'm giving you space to make a guilt-free decision." Just then his pager went off, and he looks down to check it. "Limo's here. You want to ride to the airport with me?"
"I have a c-section in twenty minutes."
"Oh," he bent down to grab his briefcase. He walked toward her and placed the box in her palm. "You should have something pretty to look at while you're thinking," he said with a wink. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her lips, "I love you, Addison," he whispered, "See you in two weeks."
Addison just nodded as he left her office. When he was gone, she looked down at the ring in her hand. "Wow," she breathed.
"Derek!" Addison cried happily as she pulled open her door, "What are you doing here?"
"A guy needs a reason to visit his favorite girl?" he grinned.
"I had better be your only girl," she replied playfully punching him. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I just thought I'd take the most beautiful woman on the planet out to lunch," Addison blushed at his compliment, and then he continued, "but she wasn't available so I thought I'd take you instead."
"Ah," she scoffed. "Just for that, you can eat alone."
"No, please. I humbly request the pleasure of your company." he stated bowing low.
"Well, when you put it that way, how can I resist?"
He just grinned at her.
They went out to her favorite Chinese restaurant and though they talked and laughed as usual, something was off. Something Addison couldn't quite put her finger on, but felt just the same. Derek seemed different, and was it her imagination or did he keep sticking his hand in his pocket?
After lunch they took a walk and ended up at the Empire State building, at one of the many viewfinders. It was a crisp, clear spring day; you could see around for miles. Addison glanced over at Derek; he had been unusually quiet since they left the restaurant.
"Hey," he looked up at her, "Everything alright?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah, it's…I'm fine."
"You sure? You look a little pale," she stepped forward to feel his forehead, "You don't feel warm. But maybe we should go home anyway."
"NO!" he yelled. Addison jumped back, startled. "I mean, no, I'm fine. Why don't we look through the viewfinder?"
"Um, okay." Addison turned to the one nearest her.
"Hey, why don't we use this one?" Derek stated, while walking toward one a few feet down.
"What's the difference?" Addison asked following him.
"There isn't one; this one just seems to have a better view that's all." He stepped up to it and put his money in. After a few seconds he gasped, "Wow, would you look at that?"
"What?" Addison asked, curious.
"See for yourself, that office building on the corner."
Addison stepped up to the viewfinder and looked where he indicated. There stretched across several office windows were the words:
ADDISON FORBES MONTGOMERY
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
Addison gasped and whipped around to look at Derek, who had already dropped to one knee. "Addison, you are the love of my life. I don't even remember what it was like to not be in love with you. You're my first thought when I wake up, and my last thought before I sleep. You are kind, generous, and have a beauty that is not just physical, but shines from your very soul. I want to grow old with you." He grinned. "I want to be the one you're cursing as you give birth to our children." She laughed at that. "I want to declare before God, our families, friends, and anyone that will listen that you are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. So, Addison Forbes Montgomery, will you marry me?"
Addison gave him a dazzling smile, even as tears were streaming down her cheeks. "Yes, Derek Matthew Shepherd, I will marry you."
Derek's face broke into a huge grin and he slipped the ring on her finger. Then he jumped up, grabbed her in his arms, and spun her around, whooping and laughing. Once she was back on her feet, he pushed her hair back behind her ears and cradled her face in his hands. They both leaned in at the same time and the kiss they shared was once of the sweetest, most exquisite and sensual kisses of their entire relationship. They didn't even notice the applause of the crowd that had gathered, as far as they were concerned they were the only two people in the world at that moment.
When they finally pulled apart, they gazed into each other's eyes. "I love you," Addison breathed.
"And I love you, forever and always." Derek whispered back.
The beeping of her pager brought Addison back to the present. She set the ring aside, and rushed off to start her day.
Three successful surgeries later, Addison was back in her office in much the same position as before, staring at the ring. Her trance was broken with the ringing of her office phone. "Addison Montgomery."
"Hello, Addie dear."
"Hi, Mom."
"How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"Addison."
"Mom, I'm fine really, I'm just tired."
"Did something happen today?"
Addison's gaze ticked towards the jewelry box. She flipped it closed and tossed it into her purse. "No."
"You sound down, so I tell you what. How about I make your favorite dinner tonight?"
"Would you be referring to your vegetarian lasagna?"
"I would indeed, and for dessert: tiramisu."
"Have I told you that I love you lately?"
Gwen laughed, "I can never hear it enough. So listen, why don't you pick up a bottle of wine and be here by 7:00."
"Deal."
Addison arrived home at seven o'clock sharp, a bottle of Merlot in hand. She opened the door and was instantly hit with the aroma of Gwen's mouthwatering lasagna. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, so she didn't notice the dimming of the lights. "Mom?" she called as she walked back towards the dining room. "Hello?" Why is it so dark in here? "Mom? Anybody here?"
"Behind you." replied a low voice.
Addison spun around to find Derek walking toward her carrying the lasagna to the table, which was already set with a Caesar salad, fresh garlic bread, and lit by candlelight. As he walked past she noticed his attire. He was dressed like her Derek, in khakis and an indigo button-up, and in his wake she caught a whiff of the cologne she had given him on their last anniversary. As he set the platter on the table, he turned to face her with his smile, and her breath caught in her throat.
"Um, where's mom?"
"She suddenly remembered some friends that have moved out here, and she decided to spend the evening with them," he said easily as he moved to help her out of her jacket.
Addison turned to him with narrowed eyes, "She suddenly remembered? After going through all the trouble of fixing this meal?"
Derek smiled at her, "Yes, she felt bad about leaving you like that, so she suggested that I join you. Wasn't that nice of her?"
"Extremely kind," came the reply.
"Shall we eat?" Derek asked, gallantly holding her chair out for her.
"Of course," she stated, sitting down.
"You look gorgeous," he whispered in her ear.
Addison had to suppress a shiver, "You don't look so bad yourself," she smirked.
"What can I say, you bring out the best in me."
Addison just raised an eyebrow at that, and watched as he opened the bottle of wine and poured a glass for each of them. He sat down, raised his glass and looked at her, "How about a toast?"
"A toast? To what?" she inquired, but raised her glass just the same.
"Let's say, to new beginnings."
She gave him a look, but allowed her glass to clink with his in the candlelight.
"How was work?"
"Fine."
"Anything interesting happen today?"
Addison cleared her throat and looked down at her plate, "Nothing that comes to mind."
Now it was Derek's turn to raise an eyebrow. She really is a terrible liar. Something obviously happened today. Maybe she lost a patient. I'll investigate more later. For now, let's just keep her talking. "So did you hear about the new Russell Crowe film that's coming out…"
An hour and a half later, they had finished dinner, dessert, and a bottle of wine. They had slipped into old habits and had talked and laughed through most of dinner. Addison had really relaxed about halfway through the bottle, and was now sitting with her head propped up in her palm, licking the last bit of tiramisu from her fingers. Derek sat leaned back in his chair watching every flick of her tongue through heavy lids. He knew from personal experience just what that tongue of hers was capable of, and the thought made him squirm in his seat. Remember you're taking things slow. Derek cleared his throat to get her attention. "If you aren't too tired; I rented some movies."
"Oh, yeah? What'd you get?"
He grinned as he extended a hand to help her up from the table, "Well, for starters I got Gladiator.
"Good choice," she smirked, "What else?"
"One of your favorites," he hinted as he bid her to sit down in the den, "A classic." He handed her the case after he popped the DVD into the player.
"Some like it Hot! I love this one!" She paused, "I suppose I should be thankful you didn't get Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," she quipped.
"Yeah, I thought that might be in poor taste," he replied easily.
"A wise decision."
They began watching the film in a very proper manner, Derek at one end of the couch and Addison at the other. However at some point during the movie they had shifted so that Addison now lay cradled in Derek's arms, her back against his chest, his steady breathing confirming the fact that he had fallen asleep. He never makes it through these movies. She heard her cell beep, indicating the receipt of a text message. As she stretched to grab her purse from the end table, she felt Derek's arms tighten around her. She flipped open the phone to read a text from Robin: Made your choice yet? Addie sighed, closed the phone and returned it to her purse, which slipped from her grip and spilled its contents on the floor, including the deep blue ring box. Addison picked up the box and opened it, gazing at the ring. This ring symbolizes a drama-free life with a drama-free man, who I know will never hurt me and will do everything in his power to make me happy. Or, I could have a passion-filled life with a man who can give me both inconceivable happiness and excruciating pain; the man who hurt me deeper and in more ways than I could have ever imagined. Addison's gaze switched between the ring and Derek's face, before settling once more on the TV screen in time for the final line of the movie.
"Well, nobody's perfect."
You can say that again.
Alrighty, another chapter put to bed. I was slightly under the influence when I wrote this so if you don't like it, I blame Jack. If you do like it, it was all me. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.
