Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank you for the follows/favorites/comments. They really do mean a lot!
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Addison woke up completely confused. She looked around and was surprised that it was almost 5:00. Derek was asleep next to her but the children were nowhere to be seen. She slowly peeled herself away from Derek, trying not to wake him.
"Where did those kids go?" Addison thought. She then noticed a note on the table.
Derek and Addie,
I am taking the children for the night to give you both a chance to rest. I will bring them back to the hospital tomorrow afternoon.
Love,
Mom
Addison stared at the note in shock. She sat down at the table and sent a text to Carolyn making sure everything was ok and to say thank you. Addison began to go through e-mails from her office back in NY. The doctor she had hired to take over for her while she was in Seattle was a former student of hers. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, which was a major relief.
Addison stood up and started to walk around the room. She eventually made her way back over to the bedside and looked down at Derek. It still tore at her heart to see him so injured. It was almost worse being a doctor because she fully understood the amount of pain he was in and the amount of physical therapy that lay ahead.
As Addison sat down in the chair next to the bed, she sighed. How in the world were they going to survive without their family to help with the kids? They couldn't even make it one weekend! She was so grateful to have the evening to prepare for her surgery in the morning, but at the same time, Addison felt guilty for again relying on Carolyn.
They would just have to figure it out as they went.
Addison continued to think about the TTTS case. The whole situation bothered her. Something was off between Katie and the man claiming to be her father. Their story just didn't add up. She sighed and decided to go get the paperwork from Derek's office, which she had made temporarily hers to prepare.
While reviewing the files, Addison began to notice even more inconsistencies. For one, two different birthdays were reported. The paperwork sent over from a small hospital in Eastern Washington said 11-11-2003 but the paperwork at Seattle Grace said 11-11-2000. The names were also different. The smaller hospital had Katie Strafford while Katie had been introduced to Addison as Katie Stanford. Neither of those were a major red flag as someone could have just written it down wrong.,
What really threw Addison for a loop was the family history report from the smaller hospital. It said that Katie had been visiting her aunt and uncle from out of state when she had collapsed, so they took her to the hospital. Kyle had said that Katie was his daughter and they lived on a small farm in Eastern Washington. Both of these could not be true, and it couldn't be explained away as someone just writing it down wrong.
Addison decided to go talk to the Chief. She wasn't surprised to find him in his office, even though it was Sunday evening.
"Chief, do you have a minute?" Addison asked as she tapped on his door.
"Addie! What a nice surprise! Come on in." Richard exclaimed, gesturing for her to sit down. "What can I do for you?"
"I am concerned about a patient of mine, and I need to know what the hospital's policy is on running paternity tests without consent." Addison blurted out. Richard looked at her in shock.
"I am afraid I need more of an explanation." Dr. Webber said as he leaned back in his chair. Since the TTTS case was Addison's only case besides Christina, who had already been discharged, Richard knew she was talking about Katie Standford.
Addison proceeded to tell the Chief the oddities she noticed earlier and about what she had read in the files. Richard looked at her in concern.
"Addison, I admit, it does seem a little odd, but why exactly do you think you need to run a paternity test?" Richard asked.
"Honestly, Richard. I don't know." Addison sighed as she started to play with her sleeve. "I just have a feeling."
Richard was quiet for a little while before he leaned forward and said, "Washington law allows you to perform a paternity test on a minor without parental consent if the safety of the child is in question. As Katie isn't a minor, the law would not apply to her."
"But Richard, that girl barely looks 16! I don't believe she is 19!" Addison exclaimed, beginning to raise her voice.
"Addison, calm down! I really am sorry. Unless you can find proof that Katie isn't 19, there is very little I can do." Richard said, coming around the desk and placing his hand on Addiosn's shoulder. "Besides, what would a paternity test even prove? Katie could very well be adopted."
"I know. Well thank you, Richard." Addison sighed in frustration. She left the room and began to make her way up to the maternity floor.
Addison quietly entered Katie's room and was thankful to find the young girl alone reading.
"Hi, Katie. How are you doing?" Addison asked as she slowly approached the bed. She noticed the girl immediately started looking around scared when she realized who had entered the room
"Oh, um, hi Dr. Shepherd." Katie said quietly. "I am ok."
"I am going to check on your girls, if that is ok." Addison said as she pulled the ultrasound machine to the bed.
"Ok." Katie mumbled. Addison looked at the ultrasound and was pleased to see that the babies were stable.
"So, Katie, where did your aunt and uncle go?" Addison asked casually.
"Out." was all Katie said as she looked at the screen that displayed her babies. Addison noticed that the girl did not correct her that Kyle and his wife were her parents and not her aunt and uncle. She decided not to press the issue.
"Would you like me to turn on the 4D part of the ultrasound so you can see the babies better?" Addison asked as she noticed how enthralled Katie was by seeing her daughters.
"That is amazing!" Katie exclaimed as the image became more clear. Addison moved the wand around so Katie could get a better look at both girls.
"Does the father know about the surgery tomorrow?" Addison asked casually.
"The father?" Katie asked, confused.
"The father of your daughters." Addison clarified. Katie tore her eyes from the monitor and looked at Addison and then looked down at her hands. Before Katie could answer, Kyle and his wife walked in the door.
"Is everything ok?" Kyle asked sternly.
"Yes." Addison answered as she put the ultrasound machine away. "I was just checking on the twins in preparation for surgery in the morning. Does anyone have any questions? There will not be a lot of time in the morning, so now would be a good time to ask." Addison glanced between Katie and her parents.
"Do you think our, um, my, um, the twins will make it?" Katie whispered as she placed her hand over her belly and cautiously looked up at Addison. The sight of the young girl looking so scared broke Addison's heart.
"I am very hopeful, Katie." Addison said warmly, as she squeezed her patient's shoulder.
"Of course they will be fine." Addison heard Kyle's wife mutter under her breath. She turned and looked at the woman confused. Kyle noticed and quickly changed the subject.
"So when will we be able to take our daughter home?" Kyle asked pointedly.
"We will have to monitor the situation. It will be at least several weeks. It could even be several months. It all depends on how the twins and Katie handle the surgery." Addison answered.
"And what if we want a second opinion?" Kyle's wife interjected. Addison turned to the woman.
"Well, as I am only one of a handful of people in the entire world who can operate on the twins, a second opinion is going to be hard to get. Also, if surgery is not done very soon, both girls will die." Addison answered seriously. "I am also afraid I didn't catch your name before." she continued as she looked at the other woman.
"My name is Sahara." was all she said.
"If no one has any other questions, I will see you in the morning." Addison said, giving the family a nod. She left the room and headed back to Derek.
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As Addison left the room, Derek began to wake up. He could still feel the warmth on the bed where Addison had been laying and definitely missed her presence. He was so ready to be out of the hospital. He knew it wasn't going to be an easy recovery, but at least when he was at home, all of his co-workers wouldn't be privy to his humiliation of not even being able to go to the bathroom on his own yet!
Derek saw the text Addison had sent him that his mom was watching the kids for the night. He sighed with relief. It really was a blessing to have his mom there. He was a little concerned what was going to happen after she left. Would Addison and him be able to survive? Their entire relationship, they had always had work to escape to. Now, once he left the hospital, they would be around each other a lot. Could their marriage survive so much togetherness? Or possibly, it was the only thing the COULD save their marriage.
As he lay there looking at the ceiling, he began to think more about their early days together. He thought about the first time Addison had taken him to her family home.
Thanksgiving 2004
"Yes, Bizzy. I will be there." Addison said into the phone. Derek looked at her from across her dorm room. They were studying for their final exams before they left for Thanksgiving break. He always found it strange to hear Addison call her mother Bizzy. He also noted how her whole demeanor changed when she was on the phone with her family. She had told him bits and pieces of her childhood, but he didn't really know that much about her upbringing. Of course, he had never told her the full story of how his father had died yet either.
"I will ask him, Bizzy. I will let you know soon. Bye." Addison sighed as she hung up the phone. She looked over at Derek, who was giving her a quizzical look.
"Who are you going to ask about what?" Derek asked her curiously. He went over and sat down next to her on the bed.
"Oh, nothing." Addison answered as she stood up and began pacing the room.
"If it is nothing, Ads, then why do you look so nervous?" Derek laughed. He got up and walked over to his girlfriend and pulled her into a hug. Addison leaned on him for a minute before pulling away.
"Well, um, Bizzy wants to know if you want to come home with me for Thanksgiving." Addison blurted out. "It's ok if you don't want to. I know you probably would prefer going to see your own family."
"Addie, I would love to go home with you for Thanksgiving." Derek smiled. She turned to look at him.
"You would?" She asked in disbelief.
"Of course, I would!" Derek exclaimed, pulling her into another hug and giving her a kiss.
A few days later, Derek pulled into the massive driveway. He gaped at the mansion in front of him. He knew Addison came from money, but he didn't realize just how much!
"You grew up here?!" Derek exclaimed, turning to look at Addison. He noticed she looked terrified. How could growing up in such a huge place be so bad?
"Yup. This is home sweet home." Addison answered through gritted teeth. "Just pull up to the front door. The butler will park your car." Addison instructed. Derek started to laugh, but then covered it over with a cough when he realized she was serious.
After getting out of the car, Derek went to the trunk to get their bags. Addison placed her arm on his shoulder and whispered, "The servants will bring the bags to our rooms. You don't have to do anything." Derek turned red with embarrassment but soon recovered as they entered the house.
Derek stood in awe as the entered the foyer, The house looked like a museum! Everything was pristine. From the paintings on the walls to the chandelier hanging above to the grand staircase. Derek didn't know where to look.
"Addison, welcome home!" said a young woman as she came around the corner.
"Susan! Good to see you." Addison smiled, giving the woman a hug.
"Susan, this is my boyfriend Derek. Derek, this is Susan, my mother's assistant, who is more like an older sister to me." Addison said. Derek shook Susan's hand.
"Nice to meet you, Derek." Susan smiled.
"Is anyone else here?" Addison asked as she entered the sitting area looking around.
"The Captain is at his office. Archer should arrive soon. Bizzy is at a fundraiser, but will be home later this afternoon." Susan informed her.
"I see." Addison nodded, but Derek swore he saw a fleeting look of disappointment on her face. "Well, that will give me time to show Derek around."
Addison took Derek's hand and began to lead him around the house. He lost count of the number of rooms and couldn't believe there was an actual library and billiard room! Outside, there was a massive seating area, a gazebo, and a pool!
"It must have been awesome growing up here!" Derek said without thinking. Addison stiffened.
"It wasn't as grand as you think it was." she bit back. Before Derek could respond, another man came out to greet them.
"Archer!" Addison exclaimed, running to hug her brother.
"Addie! What in the world are you doing out here in the cold!" Archer asked.
"I was just showing Derek around the property." Addison said. "Archer, this is my boyfriend, Derek. Derek, my brother Archer." Derek stepped forward and shook Archer's hand.
"So, you are Derek." Archer said looking him up and down with disapproval. Derek had no idea what to think. He had heard a lot about Archer from Addison, but she had described him as an amazing older brother, fun, spontaneous, and loving. That was NOT the vibes he was getting from him now.
Addison and Derek followed Archer back inside. A servant entered the room and informed them that dinner would be served in an hour.
"Pardon me, but I need to get ready for dinner." Addison said to the men. "I will be back shortly." she said, giving Derek a kiss on the cheek. He looked after her confused. What did she need to do to get ready for dinner? She looked perfectly presentable to him in her pants suit, which she insisted on wearing for the long drive.
"Maybe you would like to go get ready for dinner too?" Archer asked, looking Derek up and down.
"I guess I could wash my hands." Derek responded. Archer started to laugh.
"And maybe change out of jeans?" he sneered. Again Derek was confused. Addison had told him to bring some dressier clothes, but he assumed she meant for Thanksgiving dinner. Not for dinner with the family. He decided to go find her to figure out what was going on.
It took several tries, but Derek eventually found Addison's bedroom. She was standing in front of the mirror in her bra and underwear.
"I think you should just wear that." Derek laughed as he walked up behind her.
"Derek!" Addison jumped. He took advantage of her updo and started kissing her neck.
"Derek, stop! You are going to mess up my hair." Addison exclaimed wiggling out of his arms.
"I like your hair messy." Derek teased. Addison started to smile but then immediately straightened up.
"I have to finish getting ready. What do you need?" she asked.
"Your brother told me i needed to change my clothes, but I am not sure why." Derek answered. Addison looked at him with a critical eye.
"I supposed Archer is right." she said more to herself. Addison walked over to Derek's luggage and pulled out a sweater and slacks. "Here. Put these on." Derek raised his eyebrow but didn't say anything. He quickly changed. He sat down and watched Addison as she kept coming in and out of a massive closet with different dresses, shoes, and jewelry. FInally, she settled on a black dress with a modest top, pearls, and a black high heel.
"You look amazing!" Derek exclaimed.
"You think so?" Addison asked skeptically as she tried to smooth non-existent wrinkles out of her dress. Just then a bell sounded in the hallway. Addison jumped.
"We have five minutes to get to the dining room. Let's go." she exclaimed, as she grabbed Derek's hand and let him out of the room.
As they entered the dining room, Derek was blown away at how fancy it was. The table was fully set with more utensils then Derek knew what to do with. RIght behind him and Addison, entered an older man and woman.
"Ah, Addison. You made it!" said the man, as he kissed Addison on the cheek.
"Hello, Captain. Bizzy." Addison said as she gave them a slight nod.
"Addison, where are you manners." Bizzy commented critically. "Are you going to introduce us?"
"Of course. This is Derek." she replied. Derek stepped forward and shook both of their hands.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." He smiled. "Thank you for inviting me to your home for Thanksgiving."
"Of course. After everything we have heard about you, we knew we needed to meet you." Bizzy smiled. Derek took this as a good thing until he saw Addison stiffen. Derek didn't know what had just happened. He tried to get Addison's attention but she refused to look him in the eye.
The rest of the evening was just as confusing for Derek. He noticed that Addison's mother was constantly criticizing her. Her father, who was a doctor, quizzed both of them on what they were learning at Med school. Her brother randomly made comments, but mostly flirted with the staff.
As they retired to the study, Derek was shocked when the Captain asked Addison to mix his drink.
"She has been making my martinis since she was eight. No one does it better!" the Captain beamed. Derek did his best not to look appalled. No 8 year old should be mixing martinis!
"So, Derek, tell us a little about your family." Bizzy smiled at him. Derek proceeded to tell them about his sisters who were doctors and how his mother was a surgical nurse. He left out the drama that was going on with his youngest sister.
"Wow. Five children! How ever did your mother do it!" Bizzy said as she took a drink.
"She is an amazing woman." Derek answered. BIzzy game him a tight smile and then changed the conversation to how Addison should wear a different necklace with that dress.
Later that night, Derek followed Addison up to their room. She was wound tighter than Derek had ever seen her. Half the night he wasn't sure what was being said. He had heard Mark joke about how Addison could speak WASP because of her upbringing, but he really didn't understand what he was talking about until now.
The couple proceeded to get ready for bed in silence. Derek wasn't really sure what to say. He couldn't believe how critical Addison's mother had been of her! He also couldn't believe the difference in Addison when her parents were around and when they weren't.
As they got into bed, Derek held Addison and ran his fingers through her hair. "For the record, Addison. You looked beautiful tonight." Derek said, kissing her temple. Addison didn't respond. He didn't know what to do. He wanted Addison to talk to him. To be real with him and not that weird version of herself she had been all night.
"Addison, do you know how my father died?" Derek blurted out, surprising himself. Addison turned in his arms and looked up at him.
"No. You have never told me." she said quietly.
"He was murdered at the store he owned." Derek said looking off into the distance. Derek told her the whole story. When he mentioned that Amy and him were in the backroom when it happened and he was the one to call 911, Addison gasped. Derek let the tears fall at will as Addison hugged him close. He had no idea why he was telling her this story now, but in the dark room, just the two of them, he felt safe.
"Derek, I am so sorry. Thank you for telling me." Addison said softly. She continued to hold Derek close until they both fell asleep.
Thanksgiving day was even stranger than the previous night for Derek. The Captain's mother came to dinner, but that was it. It was so odd not having a ton of people and little kids around for Derek. While the food was excellent, it was so foreign to Derek that the staff had cooked it.
Later in the afternoon, Addison and Derek decided to take a walk out on the grounds. Derek was more than relieved to get away from everyone and see Addison relax a little.
"I want to show you my favorite place on this whole property!" Addison exclaimed, taking Derek's hand. She let him to a grove of trees, where a swing was hidden away in the middle.
"I used to play out here for hours with Archer when we were kids." Addison smiled as she sat down and started to swing. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Addison, you are so amazing. I just love you." Derek said without thinking. Addison immediately stopped swinging and opened her eyes. "Um, I mean, uh…" Derek stammered. He didn't mean to tell Addison he loved her. They had only been together a few months! He didn't want to scare her away.
"I love you too." Addison laughed as she jumped up into Derek's arms. She gave him a deep kiss.
Derek smiled as he remembered that Thanksgiving so long ago. He had only seen the tip of the iceberg of how cruel Addison's mother could be to her and how confusing WASP talk could be. It was also that first trip where he learned how emotional Addison got in the days following a visit from her family.
He eventually learned how to help her navigate through it. Or at least he used to. He couldn't remember the last time he had been around Addison when she returned from her parents' house. He knew she took the kids there over spring break, but he had been busy working. He felt horrible thinking of Addison visiting her family by herself. He had promised her she never would have to do that.
Derek heard the door open and looked over to see Addison re-entering the room. "Addison, I am so sorry I didn't go with you to your parents' house over spring break." Derek blurted out. Addison looked taken aback.
"Um, ok?" Addison said confused. She walked over to the bed and looked down at Derek.
"I promised you that you would never have to go to your parents' house alone, and well, I broke that promise." Derek said in pain. Addison leaned over and gave Derek a kiss.
"It is ok, Derek. The kids were there and well, lately, the Captain has been different. Bizzy wasn't even there. She was on some trip in Europe with Susan." Addison said.
"But still, Addison. I am sorry." Derek said, squeezing her hand.
"I forgive you." Addison smiled. She gave Derek a hug. It really did mean a lot to her that he had acknowledged missing Spring Break. While nothing major had happened on the trip, the fact that Derek remembered it on his own was a huge step forward.
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