Richard was not at all surprised to see Addison and Meredith arrive together. However, he was quite shocked to see them walking hand in hand.
"Are you girls trying to stir up a little conversation?" he asked as they entered.
"It's great to see you too Dad." Meredith smirked.
Addison slipped her arms around Meredith.
"So do tell how you managed to land yourself on this case?" Richard asked Meredith.
Addison smirked at Richard.
"Well it helps to have a wife who specialises in the field." Meredith grinned and Richard rolled his eyes.
"Do your interns know about you two?" Richard asked.
Meredith leant back into Addison's embrace. "No" she said quietly and Addison automatically tensed. "I don't discuss my private life with anyone."
Addison sighed.
"They know I have a partner and that I talk to them on the phone every day, but we have never gone into detail." Meredith explained.
"Partner?" Addison said quietly.
Meredith could feel the disappointment in her words. "Addie" she sighed.
Addison's hands dropped away from Meredith and she stepped back. "I stopped being your partner 5 years ago, and became your wife. Defacto if you must."
Meredith looked at her father who was standing arms folded with great concern on his face.
"I know you're my wife Addie, but you also know I value my privacy. It's not what you're thinking. I promise you it's not." She turned to Addie and pleaded.
"I have a patient to go check on." Addison stammered.
Addison turned and made her way to the door.
"Addie" Meredith sighed and followed her to the door.
"We have a patient to get to." Addison reasoned.
Meredith reached for her hand. "Honey." She spoke softly.
"We'll talk about this later" Addison took her hand. "But right now we have a patient to tend to."
Meredith nodded and held on to her hand tight.
"We'll talk later Dad." Meredith nodded to him.
"Richard" Addison nodded.
Richard in turn nodded. The concern still etched on his face as he watched the couple leave together.
