Chapter 18: Isn't she lovely

Addison Montgomery's POV

The morning I received a call inviting me to come and visit a new center that had been founded in New York, I thought it was of little importance. Nevertheless, I became interested when I learned that it was a center that had been founded by Nicole Herman, one of my best colleagues, and Arizona Robbins, wife of a very good friend of mine from Seattle.

As a result, I immediately accepted the invitation to come and spend a few days in New York to visit the center, give classes and see my friends.

A week later, I landed at JFK airport. I boarded a taxi to go to the center. As soon as I entered the building, I saw Callie walking towards me with a smile on her face and then hugging me.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw your name on today's school curriculum!" She said after our hug.

"I didn't want to warn you," I answered, "I thought I'd surprise you."

"Well, you've succeeded in your project then. From what I read in the schedule, your first class doesn't start for another hour. What do you say you and I go out for coffee? There's a nice place around the corner."

"Let's go, I'm following you!"

We both sat down on the terrace of a small café and started talking about our lives.

"So," Callie asked, "how's life in Los Angeles?"

"It's actually pretty great," I recounted, "the practice is running really well. My son is fine, he's a really great kid and Jake is the best dad ever."

"Do you two still work at the same firm?"

"Yes, we work together, and we wouldn't change that for anything in the world. It allows us to have time to see each other during the day and to be able to change our schedules whenever we want."

"Are you working less now that you're working at this practice?"

"I don't know if I'm working less but I don't have to do any more shifts, I can organize myself as I want. And how's the updated version of your marriage to Arizona going?"

"That's fantastic, that's great. I'm happy with her!"

"That's the most important thing. And how's Sofia?"

"She's fine. She is a fantastic kid, she's bright, she's funny. You know, sometimes when I look in her eyes, I see her dad. She's inherited his smile and his charm."

"If she has really inherited Mark Sloane's charm, it shouldn't be long before she starts breaking hearts. Be aware of that!"

"Indeed, it is likely!"

"Hopefully, Sofia will be as much a good person as her father was."

"Callie, you're both excellent mothers and you're doing everything you can to make your daughter happy and fulfilled. That girl will be as good as her daddy."

"It's just, she's been through so much in the last few years that sometimes I'm afraid I don't do well enough. I'm afraid that she'll develop anxieties or that when she's a teenager, she'll make us pay for all the damage we've done to her."

"Do you let her tell you when she's sad or angry?"

"Of course, that's our job. She confides in us a lot, she tells us about it every time she doesn't feel well."

"Then your daughter will be fine, and if she is not, you'll be there for her. She knows she's not alone and she knows that a lot of people love her."

"She's really developed a very strong bond with Derek's mother, Carolyn considers her almost like her granddaughter."

"Speaking of Carolyn, let me ask you a question."

"Yes."

"Can I come to your house for dinner? I'd really like to meet your daughter. After all, she is Mark's daughter and..."

"You don't need to explain yourself," she interrupted me, "it's completely normal that you might want to meet the daughter of a man you once loved."

"So, is that a yes? Can I come to your house for dinner?"

"Of course you can come home for dinner. If you want, we can even put you up at the house while you're in New York."

"It would be a pleasure."

"Well," I concluded by looking at his watch, "I'm gonna go do my lecture and then I'll move my stuff from my hotel to your house."

"Okay, I'll see you tonight."