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Chapter 33
Addison was looking at Faith. She had just finished feeding her when Derek and a nurse with a wheel chair came in. "Time to go home, Addie."
She smiled. "Great. But I don't need a wheelchair."
"Yes, you do; it's hospital policy.,' the nurse explained.
Addison sighed. She knew the nurse was tight but it still didn't make it any easier. "Will you hold Faith while I get dressed and pack? It shouldn't take more than a few minutes."
"I'm not sure about that Addie, based on our trips together." Derek laughed.
"Oh, you! Will you just hold your daughter for me?"
"Yes." Then they both froze, realizing that it was the first time she had called Faith his daughter.
"Thank you, Addie." He was sincere.; she could tell that and she blushed.
"I'll just get ready now."
They then went down to the parking garage where Derek proceeded to drive the car up to where Addison was. "Let's get this show on the road."
He then took Faith from Addie and buckled her in to the car seat. Then he helped her in to the car.
"So chivalrous."
"Thank you. I do agree if I do say so myself."
He then maneuvered the car out of the parking garage and into New York City traffic.
"You're very good at this, Derek."
"What driving in New York traffic? I should be after all this time."
"That wasn't what I was talking about."
"What then?'"
"The whole father thing. You're a natural.
He risked a quick glance at her and then turned his attention back to the road. This was the first time she that had said that At lest since the birth.
"I am surprised at how it has turned out. I always knew I wouldn't take out anything that was Mark's fault on her but to love her like I do; that did. It's almost like she really is mine, biologically, I mean."
Addison sighed. "We all had doubts; that 's only natural. Remember I'm the one who offered to abort her so if that had happened she wouldn't even be here."
"I'm glad you didn't."
"Me too. But hat was only because you stepped up. You didn't have to."
"No, I didn't but I'm glad I did."
"I am too.'" The rest of the ride passed in silence.
When they arrived at their brownstone, Derek parked and helped Addie out of the car. Then they went in.
"It's nice to be home."
Derek laughed. "You talk like you're a solider whose been away at war for years."
"Oh, you. But I don't mean it that way. I just mean that now that we're home with a baby. Things are going to be a lot different."
Derek nodded. "That's for sure. Our lives aren't going to be the same ever again. But I think we're ready for it."
"You do?"
"I really do."
"Yeah, I think so too. We've already survived the main thing that altered our lives forever."
Derek knew she was talking about the tryst with Mark. The funny thing was that that seemed so far away. Yes, they had Faith because of it and it was always going to be there. But as time went on it had diminished in importance. Not that it would ever go away;nothing of that magnitude ever did. But it had proven to be a test that they had come through and passed.
But it was nice to be home. Derek parked the car and then they went inside.
"Let me just put her down. The car ride lulled her to sleep."
"That's good. She probably won't be colicky then. Amy was and it was really annoying."
"She didn't do it to annoy you, Derek."
"No, but that's what happened,anyway."
Addison rolled her eyes as she made her way to the nursery. "Well, be that as it may, I have a feeling you'd be a lot more tolerate of your daughter's colic, then you were of your sisters."
"You're probably right about that. But it's a moot pint anyway, as she isn't going to be colicky."
"And you're so sure because-"
"Because she won't have any reason to; we're going to be awesome parents."
"I don't think it ha anything to do with that, Derek."
He just smiled at her, He was just teasing her and she knew it but it was kind of nice; that she couldn't deny.
They were in the nursery now. Addie put Faith down in her crib and the two parents just looked at their daughter.
"God, she's so beautiful."
"She takes after her mother."
Addison blushed. "You're so sweet to say that, Derek."
"I'm not fishing for compliments, Addie, I really mean it."
"I know you do. I meant what I said too."
"Come on. Let's let her sleep and we'll go do something else. Maybe get a snack or something."
Addison nodded. "Sounds good to me." They quietly existed the nursery.
"Would you like a snack? I'd like one."
Addison nodded. "That sounds good'
They went to the kitchen.
"So, healthy or unhealthy?"
"We're doctors. Do we even have anything unhealthy? Derek just looked at her. "Fine. I want to say healthy but...'
"But you jut had a baby and that is cause for a celebration and everyone knows celebrations are more fun with unhealthy food than healthy food."
"Can't argue with that."
"So, what will it be?'
"What do we have?"
Derek looked. "Chocolate chip cookies, a a half a chocolate cake and some Devil Dogs."
'What will we wash that down with?"
"We have milk."
"Good. Let's eat."
"And drink too."
"That goes without saying."
So they settled down in the living room and ate their snacks.
"This is nice."
"It is." Derek agreed.
"I'm staring to think that you were right, that we really can do this. Of course, it's only just at the beginning of the journey but still."
"You mean us and Mark? The three parent thing."
"Yes. I don't think it will be all smooth sailing because when is life ever that but I do think we can do it. Or I'm staring to, anyway."
"That's a good thing, Addie,"
"Yes, yes it is."