Okay I'm really sorry about real life and lack of writing. This hopefully will remain a creative outlet even after school starts, but I'm done making promises that I clearly can't keep. I aim to continue till this story finishes running its course and hope you wonderful readers will stick around for the ride.
This jumps ahead to the finished house because that is where I need the story to continue on from. Nothing big has happened. Derek and Addison have baby sat for Gracie a few more times and love her to death. Meredith and the Nazi's interns are all showing potential in their respective fields of interest and here we go.
Queen Satan: We're getting there I promise. I have a few other plotlines I want to develop that will go alongside their journey
Addiekatefan: Sorry! Life gets in the way of creativity, typical
Right Hand Blue: Yeah I'll go with that for now. Thanks and enjoy
crazy-chica6: Yep, poor Derek :)
McGorgeous: Thanks for reviewing! Hope you had fun in the states. Cheers
Please review
Previously: A few months ago, Derek and Addison reconnected in an exam room, a tradition for them that they both missed and they baby sat Gracie for the first time.
Summary: House is finished and a friendly face shows up to help them celebrate.
Chapter 54: Hi Stranger
"The house is done," Addison was in shock, six months after the building began with the pictures, there they were standing again in front of the camera with the builders, but this time it was a complete house. In true Addison style, it had classy items, but it was modern and light instead of the uptight New York Brownstone they'd had previously.
Derek was silent beside her, but it was one of those awe-struck silences, he was trying to take in how quickly life had changed for them.
"Thank you," Addison finally said turning to the head foreman.
"It's our pleasure ma'am, you've both been easy to work for," he acknowledged, "and" he held out an unwrapped box for them.
Addison raised her eyebrows questioningly as she took it in her hands.
"Well, we're not much for pretty wrapping," he glanced towards the crew, "but we thought you might like this for your new mantel."
"That's very considerate of you," she finally said, shocked that the people were so friendly out here.
Curiously Addison lifted the cover; Derek came to stand next to her looking over her shoulder.
It was a picture of them, taken that first day, when Addison had launched herself into Derek's arms with excitement. Although she remembered giving the camera to the builder to hold, she'd never realized he snapped the picture.
"Thank you," she smiled at him, and looked back down. It captured their joy perfectly, unguarded and full of hope.
As they walked around the house admiring their new home, Addison breathed in the scent of fresh nature and promise. Closing her eyes, she could almost imagine the next generation of Shepherds terrorizing their home. Years earlier, giving up some of her career, or expecting Derek to do that seemed unreasonable – in a weird way – but over time, she'd come to realize what was important. After the recent years of heartbreak and distance from her husband, somehow they'd managed to find each other again. Building her life here was almost going too well, although she knew she would never get over the loss of her baby, she had to admit maybe now there had been a silver lining to all that heartache. She and Derek were stronger, apart and together, than they'd maybe ever been.
"What are you thinking," he appeared behind her almost startling her.
"How lucky we are," she said finally, and it was true for the most part.
"You seem to be deeper in thought than that," he waited but didn't push her.
"We finally are getting it right," she laughed softly out loud.
"Making up for all the times we didn't," he commented, he could always read her mind.
"I feel like maybe our baby has been our guardian angel" she said, "I don't know if we ever realized how lucky we were to have each other."
He was silent and Addison wondered where he was.
"Where are you now," she questioned somewhat serious, somewhat teasing.
"Just being glad we took the opportunity when Richard offered it," he hesitated; "our marriage was on such shaky ground in New York after…" he trailed off.
"I know," she sighed, "but I was realizing, without that horrible time, I never would have understood how my life is so connected to yours."
He met her lips as she turned her head sideways to meet his.
"I know me too," he hesitated, "I always knew I was the luckiest guy alive though."
"Let's explore," she took his hand and they began their walk through the completed structure.
There were five bedrooms, a master one, three for the family to grow and a spacious guest room. There were two bathrooms downstairs, and three upstairs as well as the family room with fireplace, a fully furnished kitchen, and a screened in front porch with a back deck overlooking another view and a hot tub. It was luxurious, but Derek wanted solar panels on the roof, lots of windows for solar heating and with so much exposure to sun, that would be a treat. Addison teased him when he decided to do it that Seattle wasn't the best place to look for solar heating, but at the same time she went along making the house as energy efficient in every way that they could.
"We should go pack up," she finally said as the last tinges of sunlight began to flood through their many windows.
"Agreed," he took her hand as they walked towards the door.
Derek locked up behind them and they walked towards the car. As they got there, Addison glanced behind her at their new home.
"It looks lonely," she said finally, feeling somewhat silly for saying it out loud.
Derek shot her an amused look, "we'll be back tomorrow for good."
That night as they were packing the phone began to ring and Addison – who was cleaning out the fridge – shouted for Derek to pick it up. After she'd thrown out the trash bag of bad food, she made her way into the bedroom.
"We've been moving for the last few weeks, our lease on the apartment is up tomorrow," Derek was telling Mark.
Suddenly he put his hand over the mouthpiece and whispered to Addison, "He wants to visit this weekend."
Addison grinned; she missed their friend, "absolutely."
"We're up for it, come on out, join us at the hospital, we'll grab a bite and retire to the hot tub with drinks," Derek proposed.
Addison rolled her eyes thinking about where Mark was going to take that.
"Are you bringing someone with you," Derek questioned and Addison spun around curiously.
"Oh, okay," Derek sounded suspicious.
"See you tomorrow buddy," he hung up, "it'll be good to see him again."
Addison grinned; she could hardly wait to show Mark their new accommodations.
"I've really missed him," she finally said.
"You're probably the only woman who has ever really said that," Derek remarked and Addison had to admit her husband had a point.
"Well, friends sure, I guess is one thing," she pointed out, "it's entirely different."
Derek's silence worried her as she realized he might actually be thinking about a different time in their lives.
"Derek," she stood in front of him, "that was then, that life, this is now and we're here together. Mark is always going to be a part of who you and I are, but that needs to be put and left in NY as much as possible," she took a deep breath, "I won't tell you what you're feeling is wrong, or that you shouldn't, but I hope someday you can believe me, when I say that was the second greatest mistake I think I've made."
He raised his head to meet her eyes, "what was the first?"
"Not making sure you knew that I've loved you more than anyone ever since the day I met you," she whispered, "I was so stupid to ever give you reason to doubt how much I loved you."
"I think we can feel unified in that mistake, it's a joint one," he finally responded and Addison wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you baby," he whispered against her hair and she just tightened her grasp around him.
The next day:
"Dr. Shepherd," she turned at the sound of Meredith's voice.
The younger woman looked frazzled, "Gracie's sitter called in sick, Lexie isn't available today, Adele is out of town, and Bailey needs me on dispatch for a few hours," she hesitated, "can you?"
"Sure," Addison had a pretty easy day, seeing as that Mark was showing up shortly.
"Hi Gracie," she knelt down in front of the child.
Gracie grinned at her, "hi Aunt Addison," she responded.
"Come here," Addison scooped her up and headed for her office.
Addison was filling out paperwork while Gracie was coloring when a voice sounded out behind her.
"Hey you," and she whirled around in her chair.
"Mark!" she threw her arms around him and he gave her a tight hug.
"How's my favorite woman," he asked cheerfully.
"Great and she was.
He studied her face carefully and then let out a soft breath, "wow Addie."
"What," she frowned.
"You don't even look like the same woman who left NY," he said finally.
She sighed, "A lot has changed Mark."
"Good," he nodded, "good," he repeated sounding relieved.
"Who's that," Gracie's voice and presence holding onto her leg reminded her that she wasn't alone.
"Hi," Mark eyed her curiously and then raised his eyebrows.
"Gracie," she smiled, "this is our friend Mark, from NY."
"Oh," the child said softly, "hi."
"Hi there," Mark grinned and Addison stared in shock as he squatted down to her eyelevel.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said solemnly, "how old are you Gracie?"
She held up four fingers, "almost five."
"Wow, you're a lady," he grinned at her.
She suddenly buried her face in Addison's skirt and he stood up.
"She's shy," Addison mouthed.
He nodded in understand as Addison picked Gracie up.
"Let's go find Derek," she began to give him a tour of the hospital.
Minutes later Derek's voice rang out, "Mark!"
Mark turned and found himself embraced in a strong hug by his best friend.
"Derek, missed you man!"
"I've missed you too," Derek assured him and smiled at Gracie as he noticed her in Addison's arms.
"Lunch," Derek suggested, "Gracie, are you hungry?"
"Macaroni and cheese," her eyes lit up and Mark grinned.
"I approve of her choices," he announced and Gracie frowned at him.
"What," he was confused.
"You have to get your own," she informed him.
"Oh right," Mark back peddled quickly, "absolutely, but I'm going to get more than you."
"Why," Gracie looked decidedly annoyed.
"Mark," Derek hissed.
"Because I'm bigger," Mark argued.
"That's not fair, you're old too," Gracie pouted.
Addison would have laughed out loud if she didn't know how truly aggravated Gracie was.
"We're going to go get coats," she said hastily and made a quick retreat.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Derek threw Mark a glare, "she's a kid Mark."
Mark made a face, "what's your point?"
"You do not provoke them," Derek sighed.
"Fine," Mark let it go.
At the diner across the street, the four of them found a booth and ordered their meals. Gracie got macaroni and cheese, Mark decided to go for something a little more substantial. About half way through the meal, Addison noticed Gracie studying Mark thoughtfully. Mark was still oblivious.
"Mark," her little voice startled him and he glanced at her suspiciously.
"Do you want some," she held out a spoonful of the macaroni and cheese and Mark let out a soft chuckle.
"Do you have enough, you need lots of it to grow up big like me," he reminded her.
"Uh huh," she nodded still holding out the spoon and Mark took it.
"Thanks," he ate it and licked his lips, "yummy."
Gracie just grinned and Addison smiled at Derek. Gracie was clearly advanced in the skill of charming adults if she could convert Mark.
Just then Addison's pager went off, "oh I have to get Gracie back," she said.
"Come on Gracie, time to go," she turned to the child with her coat in hands.
"Will I see Mark again," she asked sliding out of the booth.
"You bet," Mark answered for her.
They crossed back across to the hospital, and Meredith stood there waiting.
"I hope she wasn't too much trouble," she said apologetically.
"Not at all," Addison assured her, "She never is."
"We ate lunch with their friend from New York," Gracie told her.
"Oh," Meredith looked at her daughter and then at Addison, "you have friends in town?"
"Just one, Mark Sloan," Addison laughed, "but his presence is big enough for two or three people."
Meredith shook her head, "I know those people," and then quickly knelt down, "time to get you home to Lexie," she said.
"Thanks Addison," she called over her shoulder as she rushed out.
"Anytime," Addison responded as she headed back to the diner.
Reviews make me happy, I've started writing the next chapter and hopefully it'll be up tomorrow if I can make the time to finish it tonight.
