So, yea…it's been almost two months since I last updated. Although, I have been writing, I did the Christmas fic, which I'm choosing to mention here 'cuz it doesn't make me look as bad. The intention was to have this fic finished by New Year's and start working on the new one. And, uh…you can see how well that worked out. Life was kicking my ass. It still is, but I needed to write. So, I have a fever of 102.4, and I'm doped up on medications and hot toddies. So, if you don't like it, I blame illness.

Special thanks to Parker0891 for the boost!

Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing.

Addison sat silently on her couch; the television was blaring but she wasn't paying any attention. I'm getting married tomorrow, I should be ecstatic. But what if I'm making a mistake? Am I about to ruin my life and his? Addison sighed and took another sip of her drink. This wedding is turning me into an alcoholic. She got up to refill her drink. This was so much easier last time.

July 1994

ADDISON!!!

She groaned as she heard her name being screamed through her apartment. "That sounds like my sister," muttered her human pillow.

"That is your sister." she replied.

"She's very loud."

"Yes, she is."

"Tomorrow she'll be your sister, too." At that Addison raised her head and stared into his twinkling blue eyes, returning his smile.

"Yes, she will."

"ADDISON!! I KNOW YOU'RE HERE!!"

"Why is she yelling?"

"Because she's Nancy."

"WHERE ARE THEY?" yelled another voice.

"I DON'T KNOW," replied a third.

"MAYBE THEY'RE IN THE BEDROOM," a fourth voice.

"WELL, WOULD SOMEONE CHECK?" Nancy asked.

"NOT ME," called a fifth voice, "I'VE SEEN ENOUGH OF THEM TO LAST TWO LIFETIMES."

"OH FOR THE LOVE OF- FINE I'LL DO IT!" With that the door to the bedroom flew open and there stood Nancy, hands on her hips. "It's okay," she yelled, "they're decent." Derek's three other sisters, Kathleen, Julie, and Samantha, plus Savvy then appeared in the doorway.

"Oh, good you're already up." Kathleen noted.

"Well, it's pretty hard not to be with all the yelling that was going on." Derek replied.

"Well, good morning to you too, little brother. What's wrong, did we interrupt your morning nooky time?"

"No, but you did interrupt cuddle time which has become very important to me since that's all I've gotten for the past six weeks," Derek growled.

"Derek," Addison chided. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We've come to kidnap you," Savvy said cheerfully.

"Excuse me?" Addison raised her eyebrows.

"The bride is not allowed to see the groom, nor the groom the bride for twenty-four hours before the wedding. We are here to ensure that you two don't break the rules." Nancy replied.

"So, pack your bags 'cuz you're being kidnapped," Julie quipped.

"And make sure you pack something sexy for tonight," Samantha added with a smirk.

"You're going to have a bachelorette party that'll still make you smile when you're old and senile." Kathleen said with a wink.

Addison laughed as she made her way to the bathroom. As soon as she was out of earshot, Derek sat up and fixed his sisters with a glare. "Alright, so where are you taking my fiancée?"

"What's wrong, Derek? Worried that she'll come to her senses and find someone better?" Nancy cracked.

"No, just trying to figure out if I need to start collecting bail money."

"Oh, don't worry, we'll take good care of your little Addie, and we'll get her to the church on time."

"Thank you."

"Alright, I'm ready." Addison reappeared a few minutes later, fully dressed and carrying four large, bulging bags.

"Addison, it's only for one night," Derek exclaimed.


"Derek, you know me better than that. Plus, I have to get ready for tomorrow."

"Alright, well, Derek make yourself useful and lug these bags to the car." Nancy instructed.

At the car, Addison turned to Derek before she got in. "Do you realize that the next time we see each other we'll be getting married?"

"I do. I can't wait, so try not to find any guys to run away with tonight, okay?" he grinned.

"Likewise," she smirked.

"Shut up." He brushed a few stray strands of hair out of her face before cupping her cheek. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you," she leaned forward and captured his lips in a kiss, which he deepened almost immediately. Addison smiled against his lips as she raised her arms to run her fingers through his hair. They were startled apart by the loud beeping of the horn.

"Hey, that's enough of that. You'll be apart for 24 hours not 24 days. Jeez," Nancy yelled out the window.

"Alright, I'm coming, keep your panties on," Addison called back. She turned back to Derek, "See you at the altar. I'll be the one in the gorgeous dress," she winked.

"And I'll be the guy with the huge grin."

Addison sighed as she sat back on her couch with her refreshed drink. It was much easier the first time.

She was shaken out of her reverie by the insistent ringing of her doorbell. She set her drink down and padded to the foyer, opening her door to reveal a gaggle of smiling faces and piercing blue eyes. "Addie!!!" they cried, and she found herself consumed in a swarm of Shepherds. She smiled uncontrollably as she embraced Nancy, Kathleen, Samantha, Julie, and of course Gwen. She then bent to embrace her fourteen nieces and nephews, before turning to the men crazy enough to marry into the family.

"Come in, come in," she cried, ushering them all into the den. "It's so good to see all of you. And you guys have all gotten so big," she gushed looking at all the kids.

"And you have gotten really thin." Nancy stated bluntly.

"No, I haven't," Addison replied shrugging off the comment.

"Yes, you have." Gwen stated, eyeing her critically. "Addie, have you been eating?"

"Of course I have. I've just been under stress from the wedding, that's all."

"Stress, huh? Aren't weddings supposed to be joyful?" Kathleen surmised aloud.

"They are when you're marrying the right person," Nancy muttered.

Addison sighed as Gwen shot her two daughters a look. "Well, we're here now to make sure the next few days go smoothly and are stress-free. We support you and your decision, don't we girls?"

"Yes," they replied reluctantly, dropping their eyes under their mother's glare.

"Well," Addison started attempting to break the awkward silence. You guys must be hungry, have you eaten? You guys are earlier than I expected, I was going to meet you at the airport."

"Aunt Addie it wouldn't be a surprise if you knew we was coming," Taylor, Julie's youngest, pointed out.

"…If she knew we were coming." Julie corrected gently.

Addison smiled at Taylor. "You're right Tay, I suppose it wouldn't. But I am so glad to see you," she finished, picking up the four-year old and spinning her around, causing her niece to squeal in delight. When she stopped spinning she settled the girl down on her hip and turned to the rest of the family with a grin, "Well, I know this great restaurant that we could go to. They have great food, terrific atmosphere, and it's kid-friendly, so…What?"

The four Shepherd sisters were grinning and slightly shaking their heads at her. All four had the all too familiar mischievous glint in their eyes.

"What? What's going on?" Addison asked suspiciously.

Nancy smirked and glanced at her sisters before replying, "We're here to kidnap you."

"Where are we going?" Addison inquired, trying to glance around the scarf that had been tied over her eyes.

"Well, if we tell you then that's not much of a surprise now is it?" Savvy's voice floated to her.

"With the term kidnap being thrown around, I have to wonder. Although I suppose I should be happy that you didn't stick me in the trunk," Addie cracked.

"Hey don't give us any ideas, it IS rather cramped in here," Sam pointed out. The four sisters, Addie, and Sav were packed into Nancy's 1988 Ford Tempo, speeding along to their unknown destination.

"Oh, we couldn't do that. Derek would have our heads if he ever found out," Kathleen pointed out.

"Yea, we'd have to sleep with one eye open for the rest of our lives," Julie added.

"You guys-" Addie began.

"If she shows up with one hair out of place, we'd all have to go into the witness protection program," Nancy spoke up from the driver's seat.

"You guys, shut up!" Addison exclaimed, feeling her cheeks grow hot.

"What? Oh, please Addie, you've got that boy so whipped, animals look at him in pity. I've never seen my brother like this over anyone…EVER. You must have honey between your thighs," Nancy smirked

"Oh my gosh," Addie said burying her face in her hands, which was now as red as a tomato.

"Look at her, she's blushing!" Kathleen exclaimed.

"Am not."

"Oh, you so are. You're as red as a cherry."

"Shut up!" She reached out to smack the person she thought was talking.

"Ow! What was that for? I didn't say anything." Sav replied, rubbing her arm.

"Sorry," Addison mumbled.

"I was thinking it, but I didn't say anything," Sav smirked. Addison's hand flew out again, once more missing her target.

"Hey, you know Adds you have really bad aim, especially with us all being so close together."

"Fine, I'll try another approach." Addison just started hitting any one she could reach, starting an all out war in the backseat.

"Hey," Nancy yelled as she was hit in the back of the head. "You guys stop that or I will turn this car around right now." Everyone was stunned for a minute, before they burst into laughter.

"Jeez, sorry Mom."

Addison was jolted back to the present as she found herself being pushed out her front door. "Wow," she said as she took in the gleaming black stretch limousine before her.

Nancy smirked next to her, as she pulled out a black blindfold, "Upgrades."

A little while later, the ladies pulled up to their destination. "Alrighty we're here!!" Kathleen exclaimed.

"Great," Addison said sarcastically. "Where exactly is here?" she asked, reaching up to take down her blindfold.

Her hand was slapped back down. "Would you just wait a second? Jeez, you're so inpatient." She felt hands on her back pushing her forward, "Just wait until we get inside."

"Fine, just don't run me into any walls-OW!!" Addie exclaimed as her right shoulder slammed into the door frame.

"Sorry," Nancy giggled behind her. "Okay, there are five steps to go down, grab onto the rail."

Addison made her way down the stairs then felt herself being pulled forward. She heard running water somewhere around her and the sounds of low-key conversations. Her hand was then dropped and she could detect whispering behind her. "Guys?" she questioned.

"Alright, we'll take the blindfold off on the count of three. One, Two, THREE!!"

"SURPRISE!!!" everyone yelled.

Addison grinned from ear to ear when she saw that she was surrounded by her best friends. In addition to the Shepherd sisters were Callie, Miranda, Savvy, and Robin. After hugs and greetings were exchanged, Addison took a moment to take in her surroundings. "Wow," she breathed.

She was standing in one of the most beautiful spas she had ever seen. There was a waterway surrounding the lobby fed by a towering waterfall in the corner. There were lush green plants and trees everywhere you turned with tropical flowers interspersed among them. It made one think they were in a Costa Rican rainforest, rather than a man-made spa. "This is gorgeous," Addison said trying to take it all in, "It's almost too much."

"Someone felt you were worth this," Kathleen said quietly from her shoulder.

"So since we're here, let's go get a massage," Robin said brightly, linking her arm through Addison's before she could really think about that comment. Her eyes narrowed as she watched a very muscular and unbelievably attractive masseuse walk by. "I have a few areas I'd love for him to touch." Addison laughed as she allowed herself to be dragged off.

Callie leaned over to Miranda, "Not that I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth, but who is fitting the bill for all this?"

Bailey just stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh," Callie's eyes lit up as everything clicked into place. She thought for a minute and then smirked, "In that case, I'm getting the premier package."

"That was my plan," Bailey replied.

It seemed that was everyone's plan. Each lady had a mani, pedi, facial, one-hour massage, wrap, a soak in the Jacuzzi, and time in the steam room. By the time dinner rolled around the group was completely relaxed. They all sat around the table joking, enjoying their sushi dinner and never-ending cups of sake.

"So, Addison," Kathleen began, reaching for a piece of fried calamari, "Tell us about Jake."

The conversation stopped as all eyes turned towards Addison. Addie wiped her mouth and cleared her throat. She glanced down into her lap as she fidgeted with her napkin. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything. All we know is the man's name, and what we've learned from Ma," Sam said.

"Well, Jake's a corporate lawyer with a firm here in LA. He's very successful, he graduated at the top of his class from Harvard Law, and he works not only out of LA, but Manhattan, Chicago, and Dallas as well."

The ladies just stared at her expectantly.

"What?" Addie asked. "What else do you want to know?"

"How about something that we couldn't read off his résumé?" Nancy jumped in. "Addie you sound as though you're describing a colleague, not your fiancé."

"Well," she lightly bit her lip and nervously twisted her engagement ring around, "He's 6'4"…muscular…wants kids… he's so sweet, incredibly kind…would never hurt me…and he loves me," she finished quietly, downing the rest of her sake.

The ladies all exchanged glances, each one picking up on what wasn't said. "Addison," Nancy began gently, almost hesitantly, reaching across to lay her hand over Addie's, "Do you love Jake?"

Addison's head jerked up. "Who wouldn't love Jake? He is literally the perfect guy. He's a good provider, incredibly attractive, and he would do anything for me. He never forgets dates, never leaves me sitting alone, and he doesn't make me cry." The words exploded from her mouth, her arms waving to emphasize her point. "We hardly ever argue and when we do we never raise our voices! He doesn't send his best friend to events in his place. He doesn't make me want to scream and pull my hair out by the roots. HE IS PERFECT! A woman would have to be crazy to not be in love with him." Her eyes lost focus and her voice dropped, "She'd have to be insane to want someone else…to crave someone else…" Her eyes slid shut, "To love someone else," she whispered. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, "And I am perfectly logical." She signaled the waiter for a refill on her drink, "Jake and I will be very happy together."

Everyone sat stunned in the wake of her outburst. She had shocked even Bailey into silence. Addison smoothly slid her chair back and placed her napkin on the table. "Excuse me," she stated as she made her way to the ladies' room.

"Does she really not see it?" Callie asked quietly, once she was out of earshot.

"Oh, she knows…" Nancy began.

"…She's just fighting it with everything she's worth." Bailey finished.

Savvy jumped up and followed her friend to the restroom. The seven women watched her go, then sat in silence for a moment.

"Twenty bucks says she bails by the end of the night," Nancy smirked.

"I say she'll wait 'til morning." Callie added.

"Thirty says she doesn't make it though the "I do's," Robin bid.

"Fifty says Derek makes a scene." Kathleen said with a gleam in her eye.

"Do you know something?" Sam asked.

"I know my baby brother," was the reply.

"Seventy-five says she runs," Julie stated.

But Bailey shook her head at them all. "One hundred dollars says that by this time tomorrow she will once again be Addison Forbes Montgomery-Shepherd."

When Savvy walked in she found her friend leaning over the sink, taking deep calming breaths. "Good air in, bad air out," Sav said quietly.

Addison jumped at the voice and caught her eye in the mirror, giving her a weak smile. "That's the idea."

"Addie, we…we didn't mean to upset you."

"I know. I'm sorry for yelling at you guys, I'm just…" Addie sighed, "I don't know what I am."

"I know Addie. But I also know that you'll do the right thing. You always do."

Addison looked up at her through her lashes, "Not always."

Savvy sighed, "Addie, Derek's forgiven you. Are you ever going to forgive yourself for that?"

"I have, I'm just…" Addie buried her face in her hands and muffled her scream.

Savvy walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. "I know, sweetie." She held Addie while she put herself back together. "Hey, come on, it'll all be okay. In the mean time you have presents to open," Savvy said with a grin.

Addison managed a watery smile. "I could never forget about presents."

After Addison repaired her face with went out to join the ladies who were laughing hysterically about something. "What's so funny?" Addison inquired, a slight smile on her face.

"Nothing," they replied in unison.

"Let's get to the gifts," Nancy suggested, quickly changing the subject.

Soon Addie found herself surrounded by the traditional gifts; in addition to lingerie, she had the Kama Sutra, Cosmo's Water Kama Sutra, edible massage oil, and handcuffs (Robin's gift. "For when you need to add a little spice," she said with a wink.) Then she found herself presented with a final box, this one was without a label. "Who is this from," she asked with a smirk, as she opened the box. No one claimed ownership. She gasped as she lifted the tissue paper to reveal an exquisite green silk robe, with Chinese characters stitched onto the back. "Oh, this is gorgeous," she breathed. She looked up, "Seriously, who is this from?" she asked as she held the beautiful fabric to her chest. Once again they were all silent. "I love this," Addison replied softly.

"Hey! Is this a party or not?" Robin said breaking the silence. "There is a batch of margaritas waiting for us and a dance floor with our name on it. Let's go!"

Around 2 am, Addison stumbled into her hotel suite, laughing as she bid the other ladies goodnight. Addison collapsed on the bed, "I'm really quite drunk." she giggled to the empty room. She pulled herself up and began undressing, dancing around the room to the imaginary music playing in her head. She had just slipped on the silk robe when there was a knock at the door. She walked over and pulled the door open without checking to see who it was. "Derek!" she giggled. "I'm drunk!"

"I can see that." Derek smiled. Addison was such a cute drunk.

"Come in, come in. Like my robe? It's new." She paused as she closed the door, "I don't know who sent it though.

"I did."

"Oh…thanks!" she said brightly, turning towards him.

"You're welcome," he chuckled. "Did you read the card?"

"What card?"

"The card at the bottom of the box."

"I didn't see it," she said, walking back over to look into the box. She moved the tissue paper and found the card lying at the bottom. She opened the card and at the top found the same design she saw on her robe. She went on to read the explanation. "Love-forever and always," she said aloud. She looked up and caught his eye. In her drunken haze her inhibitions were lowered and she allowed herself to see what everyone else had known for months: Her Derek was finally back and was more in love with her now than he had ever been. She could see it all laid out in his eyes: love, hope, passion, desire, and forgiveness. He could see the same reflected in her bright blue orbs.

She gently reached up and stroked his face softly. For the first time in a long time, all of their barriers were down. They were simply Addison and Derek again, no baggage, no mistresses, no demanding jobs, just two people in love. And it was that thought that allowed Addison to stop denying what her body was craving.

"I should really thank you properly," she purred, her voice dropping low as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Addison…" Derek swallowed hard as she pushed him against the door and pressed her body into his. "What are you doing?"

Addison smirked and raised an eyebrow, "Has it been that long for you Derek? Let me refresh your memory." She leaned forward and began nibbling his earlobe as her hands eased under his shirt, scratching lightly at his chest.

"Addison," he groaned, pushing her away slightly, "We can't do this."

"Why not? I know you want me," she leaned in, "I can feel it," she whispered as her hand found its way inside his jeans, causing him to moan softly.

"Yea, I do…I really do. I want you. I'm in love with you. I want you to be my wife. But I don't want you to regret us being together, and you're drunk. We can't," he sighed, reluctantly pulling away from her magical hands and taking a step back.

She once again closed the space between them, the fact that he was trying to be noble making her want him more. "Sure we can."

"Addie-" he tried again.

"Derek," she gently cradled his face so they were looking eye to eye. "I want this. I need this. My body longs for yours." She paused and bit her lip, "I love you." She leaned in to kiss him, but could still sense his hesitancy. "It's not taking advantage if I ask for it," she whispered in his ear.

Derek tried to be strong for the both of them, but everything he wanted in the world was being offered to him on a platinum platter. There were probably a million reasons why they shouldn't do this, but not one of them would come to mind, especially not with her lips and hands roaming his body. As he felt her hands treading lightly at the waistband of his jeans, he stopped fighting it. After all, he was only human. He took control of the embrace as one by one articles of clothing began to drop to the floor.

So, there ya go. An update. I did it. Um, is it just me or does Addie seem slightly unstable. I mean seriously she is the definition of emotionally labile. Well, we're in the home stretch people. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Wait, is that a good thing to see when you're sick? Huh, well, while I ponder that: Review please. (I'm not above tugging heart strings, I wrote this through sickness…gimme!! ;-D)