I have an update for you guys at last. I hope you will let me know what you think in a comment. I live for those. Thank you.

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Chapter 20

In due time all three of them were back in Nancy's office, waiting for Addison's next appointment. At least this time there were no fights. All three of them were silent and civil. That was something good.

Nancy came and got Addison. "Change and I'll be right with you." She then hightailed it back to the boys. "Everything all right in here. You two behaving?"

Derek nodded. "We learned our lesson. We're behaving"

Nancy smiled at them. "Good. I'm proud of you both for stepping up. Because it's Addison and the baby that matter right now. They're all that matters right now. So, the fact that you can both get over your petty bullshit is great." She went back through the door.

"It's not petty bullshit"

"What?"

"Being upset that you slept with my wife is not petty bullshit. I have a right to be legitimately upset by that."

Mark sighed. "I know that, Derek.

"Good because you're not the injured party here."

"I never said that I was. But if we are going to lay it all on the line here you could say I'm paying for what I've done in that I'm not going to be the father figure in my child's life. That' always going to be you. And maybe you can think and do think that that is justified but it still hurts. It'll always hurt.'

There wasn't much Derek could say after that.

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"So, how are you doing?"

Addison shrugged. "All right I guess."

"Your weight is good. Now's not the time to be worrying about your figure. Not that you ever had to worry." Nancy smiled ruefully.

Addison smiled back.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired."

"That's normal."

"I know. I tell my patients that all the time. It's just really different being at this end of it."

"Tell me about it. I remember all too well."

Addison smiled. "And soon I'll be joining in all the complaints that people have about their children."

Nancy laughed. "Yes, yes, you will. But moving on, would you like to hear the heartbeat? Before you say anything, you and I both know it's not an actual heart at this stage but it kind of loses something to say the rudimentary cardiac first stirrings. It is detectable now, though and would you like to?"

"Yes, yes, I would,"

"All right, I'll bring the machine in. I'll also go and invite the guys in since they have been behaving."

"Yes, they have. They're both trying."

Good. I can be proud of them both. I'll be back." Nancy went out to the waiting room. "Addie wants to hear the heartbeat. I'm about to go get the machine. If you want to listen in, go to the last door on the left."

Both Derek and Mark got up and followed Nancy's directions. It wasn't long before Nancy had rolled in the machine. "All right. Let's get things started." She turned it on and proceeded to move the wand around Addison until— "Aah, yeah. There we go."

And there was an audible sound that all four of them could hear. "There it is, Addie. That's your baby's heartbeat."

"I-I don't know what to say"

"Pretty overwhelming, huh?" Addison nodded. "I remember that well. It never gets old, though or casual, no matter how many children you wind up having."

Derek and Mark were just silent.

"Come on guys, you must have something to say." Nancy teased them.

Mark spoke first. "I don't know what to say. That's my kid's heartbeat. It's amazing and awesome and wonderful and…"

Nancy smiled at him. "I get what you're saying. Ted felt the same way for all of our kids."

Everyone then turned to Derek.

"It's pretty well…. I can't add much more to what Mark already said but it is pretty great and awesome and wonderful and all that stuff."

"Yes, it is," Nancy agreed. "All right, Addie, we are now done for the month. Everything is progressing normally. I'll see all of you back here next month. Same time and day."

They all agreed. Then the appointment was over and all of them left.

Once Addie and Derek got home Addie went straight to the room, she was now sleeping in. Derek was concerned and followed her. "Everything all right?"

Addison had sunk onto the bed. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Addison, could you please be honest with me?"

Addison sighed. "It's just really overwhelming to hear the heartbeat for the first time. It isn't even really technically a heartbeat this early but…"

"I get it."

"You do?"

"Yeah. This kind of cements the reality of it all. You're pregnant, Addison. It's real. You're going to be a mother. We're going to be parents."

"It's a great thing but still so scary."

"That's true. But I think we'll be good at it. At least I hope so."

"You'll be a wonderful father, Derek."

"And you'll be a great mother, Addison."

"I hope so."

"You will be. Don't worry."

"It's kind of hard not to." Addison sighed.

Derek sat down next to her. "I hear what you're saying and I get it but I still know that you're going to make an excellent mom."

Addison got tears in her eyes. "Thank you for saying that, Derek."

"I didn't say it for thanks. I said it because it's true."

"All right. I still want to thank you because you saying that is really helping to ease my insecurities. At least somewhat."

"Only somewhat. Guess I'll have to put in a lot more effort to convince you.," he teased.

She laughed. "Oh, I don't know. I'd say your efforts are good enough right now and that they're paying off."

Glad to hear it."

Then Addison sobered. "In all seriousness I do have to tell you that I really appreciate how you've been through all this. You've gone above and beyond the call."

Derek blushed. "It wasn't that big a deal."

"Yes, it is, and you know it too. So just shut up and accept my sincere thanks and appreciation."

Derek had to laugh at that. "All right, Addie, all right. You win. I accept the accolades."

"Damn right you will." And they both had a good laugh together.