Hi everyone thanks for previous reviews, please take the time to drop me a line as you finish reading, it's very helpful to the plot bunny. So this chapter is because I need a break from writing angst, love it, but I just do. This doesn't mean anything is resolved between them and so on...and so forth.
Also one of you kind reviewers did ask how far along she is and I went back over the storyline and I've decided she's about seven weeks along, I know it feels like it should be longer. However, the timeframe seems to indicate that most of her return from California has actually been in the last two to three weeks. She was about five weeks along when she came back from LA. Any medical references in this chapter are solely due to basic information from the internet, or slightly vague because honestly I'm not a huge medical guru. Creative usual disclaimer applies. Pretty sure this is still T rated; I didn't want to upgrade it to M. That being said, please note, sexual content is included.
Addiekatefan: Thanks! The kiss felt like the right thing to end the chapter with, it wrote itself.
Queen Satan: Talking is good. I felt for her as well, I hate making her so miserable, but hey, if I was in her shoes I bet I would be as well
SeriouslyAddison: I appreciate your comment; Derek isn't easy for me to write, especially when he's self-centered. I wanted to give him some more depth so that he would be seen as someone who is human and confused as well. I don't remember a huge number of civilized heart to heart conversations with the two of them in the show, so I sort of had to make it up as I went along. Glad it worked for you though!
Crazy-chica6: Progress! You shall see…
Right Hand Blue: Wow thanks. Writing characters in character is hard so I'm glad you felt like it was realistic, makes me feel mildly less nervous about writing them
Muse-of-the-fairies: Thanks very much, I do my best
Okay without further ado, (and avoiding work)…
Previously: Issues are laid on the table; new beginnings lurk in the future
Summary: Derek and Addison put their separation on hold for one special day
Chapter 25: A Doctor's Appointment
Addison straightened out her dress, she was still skinny enough to fit into it, but that would change soon enough. At seven weeks along however she had a glow to show, but nothing more. Today was her first sonogram and although she knew what to expect as she had done it many times before, it was different being the patient. She was terribly excited.
Derek was going to pick her up. It had been a week since their kiss in the hallway and the separation was working out better than she thought. Derek's days were long but the malpractice suit was looking better for the hospital, he was hoping it might end soon. Addison glanced one more time at her reflection and headed downstairs. Two days ago she went to find her husband in his office to remind him about her appointment. He was confused at first, but then instantly wanted to come along and offered to drive her there. It was perhaps sad that she was so excited about sharing this with him, however considering his schedule and the state of affairs in their marriage; well she thought she was entitled to be giddy about it.
She heard the car parking outside and a minute later the door opened.
"Hey," he entered using his key and not knocking. She remembered the conversation they shared about that.
Flashback to two days ago
"Hey," she pushed the door open to Derek's office.
"Hi," her husband glanced up tiredly.
"Listen," she shifted awkwardly, "I know this isn't the best time for you Derek, but I need to ask you to do something for me."
"Sure," he was willing but she knew he was overwhelmed and hoped he would just hear her out.
"You cannot, absolutely cannot, ever knock on our door again," she whispered.
He tilted his head and then his eyes filled with a sense of tender understanding.
"Okay," he murmured and gave her a small smile making his way towards her.
"I'm sorry," he kissed her forehead, "I'm so sorry."
"Just you can't," her voice shook, "it's your house, it is still your life," she pulled away to meet his concerned eyes, "don't ever make me feel like you are a stranger again."
He promised her again he wouldn't.
"My appointment is in two days," she reminded him with a smile through her tears.
"Oh," he looked confused.
"I think I told you, the sonogram" she felt her heart sink.
"Regardless, I'll be there," and her smile lit up his world.
"Really," she sounded way too delighted.
"Of course," he assured her, "I'll pick you up."
"Around one would be good," she said after counting backward in her mind.
She left his office feeling delighted.
End Flashback
"You look beautiful," his eyes slid up and down her frame appreciatively and she flushed slightly under his intense gaze.
"Let's go," she grabbed her purse and he escorted her out the door locking it behind them.
The drive was mostly quiet, but unlike recent rides together, it wasn't tense, each was lost in their own individual thoughts.
"Addison Shepard," her name was called shortly after they checked in and they made their way into the room.
She changed into her gown and climbed on the table.
Derek rested his hand on her leg, "are you nervous?"
"A little," she smiled, "we get to see our baby."
Their gaze was broken by the sound of the door opening. Derek glanced over his shoulder to see Dr.Lazario enter.
"So Addison, how have you been feeling?" She had a friendly smile on her face.
"Pretty good, a little morning sickness, but mostly okay," Addison replied honestly.
The woman made eye contact with Derek and extended her hand, "you must be Derek Shepard, it's nice to finally you meet you, I'm Katherine Lazario."
"Pleasure," Derek gave her a quick smile before focusing his attention back to his wife.
"Okay let's take a look," Addison laid back and let the woman put on the gel and suddenly the screen showed a little blob but it was their baby.
"Oh my," Addison felt Derek's hand slide into hers and hot tears slid down her face.
"Everything looks good," the doctor smiled at them and then turned away to double check.
Addison didn't take her eyes off the baby; it was different being the mother. She would never underestimate this feeling again.
She felt Derek's lips press against her hair and she grasped his hand even more tightly.
Finally she stole a look at him and was shocked to see his cheeks wet with tears as well.
"We created that miracle," his voice was rough and choked up.
"I know," and she couldn't barely stand how amazing the entire situation was.
The doctor took the picture and printed it out leaving it next Addison on the table.
"I'll leave you two alone," she quietly exited and Addison curled up in Derek's arms.
His mind was whirling, as he struggled to find a balance in his life, he knew he was doing it for Addie, for his child, but seeing was different. Now it was all real, that little life was living inside of his wife, inside the woman he loved.
Her body shook with happy tears, overwhelmed by what they had witnessed.
"It's real," her voice, muffled against his chest, was still audible.
"You're carrying my child, our baby," his right arm moved so his hand rested on her stomach. He imagined her a few months from now, glowing with a distended stomach.
"Soon we're going to feel movement," his voice was subdued with a tone of awe.
"Yeah and I'm going to have to pee every five minutes," she joked wiping her face and trying to compose herself.
"That's life, the best kind," he met her eyes and suddenly her lips were on his desperately seeking a response. It was instinct to give back to her; he would have given up anything for her in that moment. The feeling, the need to hold and protect both of them bowled him over.
About ten minutes later, after getting the general outline of what they should and should not do, and what she should be eating and avoiding, they were in the car. Her mind was whirling and as Derek pulled up the house she glanced at him suddenly miserable at the thought of him leaving.
He climbed out and opened the door helping her out. Ever the gentleman he escorted her up the stairs and opened the door for her, but he didn't come in.
"Derek," she stared at him not wanting to beg, but willing.
"Yeah," he sighed.
"Please don't go," she whispered.
His head snapped up and his eyes searched hers uncertaintly.
"Really," it was a question for her and the ball was in her court.
She slowly extended her hand waiting for him to grasp it, a millisecond later he was inside pulling her close.
"I love you," he held her to him as if he was afraid she would vanish.
Seconds later his hands and lips were all over her. Addison found she was powerless to resist. She didn't want to. He was her husband and they were having a baby, suddenly the other issues faded away.
They stumbled up the stairs, Derek watching her to make sure she wasn't going to trip. He quickly eased her down on to the bed his large form covering her. She struggled briefly under him to position herself and he quickly pushed up her skirt so her legs could fall open. She reached up to pull him down to her.
They hadn't made love for weeks and Addison felt her emotions rage. She wanted him, it was lust certainly, but it was also connection. She needed this man.
Derek felt his wife's willingness, her desire to be in his arms and his own passion surged. He wanted to be gentle though and instead of giving in, he slowed her frantic movements.
"Easy," he murmured and she whined in protest.
"We'll get there," and he unbuttoned her top exposing her lacey bra. She was so gorgeous and he swallowed hard.
"Please," her begging brought him out of his staring and he lowered his upper body down to her with his lips meeting hers again as she demanded his attention. He wanted to worship her and so, despite her desperation, he pushed backwards so he could move his lips down to her stomach, he ultimately rested them where he believed he could sense their child.
"Hi baby," he whispered against her skin.
Addison felt her pulse slow slightly as she watched Derek caress her stomach.
"I know you can't move yet, but soon I expect to feel some kicking when I talk to you," he glanced up at Addison with a glint in his eye, "I'm going to talk to you when Mommy's asleep and we'll share secrets okay baby."
Addison never would have imagined how easily his goofy and somewhat absurd behavior could reduce her to tears. If she thought this would happen months ago, she would have rolled her eyes. As his gaze moved away from hers she let the tears fall again. It mended her broken heart to see him so fixated on their child. This was the man she married, the one that she wanted to be her children's father since she knew she was going to be his wife. He was that one, the father her children would love and idolize. He would be there with her to see it all and her baby would be so lucky to have him in its life, so damn lucky.
"Okay baby, hold on now," he grinned moving back up on her body carefully. His tender movements didn't go unnoticed, unfortunately neither did her tears.
"Addie, are you okay," he kissed them away, but didn't break eye contact much at all.
She kissed him in response but that wasn't good enough for him and he pulled away searching her eyes with concern etched on his features.
"I'm okay," she assured him, "hormones, Derek please," her tone was significantly bothered and he acquiesced to her wishes.
As she frantically undressed him he divested her of all remaining clothes and as he moved in her she closed her eyes arching up to meet him. She was lost to his touch, his lips and his movements. Her legs moved instinctively up along his rib cage and she gripped his arms moaning at the sensations.
He drew it out for her ensuring she was fully satiated several times and sighing with contentment beneath him before reaching his own peak and they slumped in a heap holding each other tightly.
"God I've missed you," she whispered and he smiled at her tenderly brushing a piece of sweaty hair out of her face.
"I've missed you too," he ran his hand over her stomach again, almost a habit now.
He shifted slightly to the side pulling her onto her side and remaining joined with her. She curled up next to him relishing the warm haven.
"Sleep," his voice next to her ear was reassuring, she could rest now. He was in their bed again, maybe not permanently yet, but in this one special day they had come together across the river of differences to celebrate and cherish the new life they had met only hours earlier.
Okay no angst here really. I think I've finally hit 50,000 words with this post. Ahhhh, I feel accomplished. Okay, now you know what to do : )