Chapter 12: Obsessive Love
Sun shone through the trees on the summer day. It was not too hot, a gentle breeze ruffled her cascading hair. She wore a pastel colored dress and wedges. She hummed the tune of some song as she walked down the path to where her friend's wedding would take place. It was far from where she lived in Boston so she had had to stay in a hotel the night before to be on time. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. She looked down at her left ring finger newly adorned by the engagement ring Ethan had given her a few days ago. She was happy. She was in love. At least she thought it was love.
The wedding would be in a large gazebo that stood at the bottom of a hill. The path became stairs. Very tricky stairs. Roots and rocks bending every which way making the trek down a bit hazardous for her shoes. Ethan had already arrived as he was best man and he and the groom had 'things' to do before the wedding. Had he been with her he might have been the one to help her down but he was not.
"Need a hand there?" Someone called behind her.
"That would be great. If not I'm afraid I'll end up down there all covered in cuts and bruises." She replied with a chuckle.
"Daniel." He said, offering his hand with a smile .
"Aelwyne." She replied, taking it.
It was innocent, their interaction. There was no flirting of any kind. Just a gentleman helping a lady down the steps. However Ethan had not seen it that way. He met them at the bottom of the stairs and as she went to give him a kiss he stormed past her to grab the other man by the collars of his jacket. She tugged at him trying to get him to stop. He pushed her away, she lost her balance and fell. People came out to see what the commotion was about. Daniel tried to explain but Ethan would not hear any of it. He accused Daniel of making a pass at her. Someone came and helped her up as Ethan began to be more aggressive towards Daniel so again she tried to pull him away but he would not budge.
"Did you find him at the hotel last night? You are a whore. A slut. Throwing yourself at any man that looks at you. But that's not going to continue because you are mine." Ethan said as he finally let go of Daniel and grabbed her.
She fought, trying to get him to let her go. He kept insulting her and calling her his property as he dug his fingers onto her arms. His were eyes full of hatred. She knew then that it was not right. Their relationship. Their engagement. It was not right. What she thought was love was just a possessive obsession. She had ignored it. The jealousy out of nowhere. The looks he gave her other male friends. The way he tried to control every little thing she did. She ignored it. She had tried to convince herself it was because he loved her. Enamored by the idea that they could be the family she had wished for since she was a little girl. But it was not love. Ethan did not love her. The realization of it all hit her like a bucket of cold water.
Other people came to her aid and managed to get him away from her. She felt tears running down her face as her whole body shook. She looked down at the ring and in one swift motion took it off and threw it at him.
"Goodbye Ethan." She said and thanking everyone she made her way back up the stairs.
Ethan called for her as he was still being held. She did not turn to look at him, she just kept on going until she got into her car and left.
After that she never answered his phone calls or texts. Never allowed him to see her. He tried in school but she was never alone. Then she got into her internship at Mass General, which was good, but she just needed the change, which led her to Seattle Grace.
"Pl-please." Was all Aelwyne said.
Addison stood there in shock looking at her horrified. Her eyes darting from the intern's neck to her cheek. Then to her eyes which were flooded in tears. And then she heard him down in the hallway calling for Aelwyne. She snapped then and grabbed the intern pulling her fully into the office and shutting the door behind them clicking the lock and shutting the blinds off.
"Aelwyne!" He called and the intern shook. "Aely come on I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Where did you go? Come back!" He continued.
Addison looked at Aelwyne's eyes and the fear that shone through broke her. She reached for her once more to hug away that fear. As she pulled her close to her Aelwyne winced slightly.
"Did he hurt you somewhere else?" Addison whispered scanning the intern.
Aelwyne simply pointed to her right side and back. Addison carefully lifted her scrubs and undershirt to find a growing bruise along her rib cage. She softly ran her hand on top of it to check for any signs of broken bones.
"Not broken." Aelwyne announced in little more than a whisper.
"Ok good." Addison started but as she was about to take a look at the intern's back she was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Aelwyne began shaking again more violently than before. Addison's breathing quickened as she heard the knocks then quickly walked Aelwyne over to the washroom.
"Stay here and be quiet. Don't come out until I tell you to. Do you understand?" She said quickly as the knocking got louder.
"Addison no, please don't." Aelwyne begged holding onto her hand.
"Trust me." Addison said prying her hands away and shutting the door.
She ruffled up her hair and took off her white coat then went to open the door with a sleepy sigh.
"Ethan was it? How can I help you?" She tried to make her voice sound groggy.
"Where's Aelwyne?" He asked, pushing past her.
"I thought she was with you." She said trying her hardest to not sound as scared as she was.
He looked around the office trying to find signs of Aelwyne but found none. Then he looked at her desk and saw her old wedding rings there, which she had yet to discard of. Not because she did not want to, just because she was unsure of what to do with them yet.
"You're married and you sleep here?" He asked, turning to her making her even more uneasy than before.
"Yes I am. I had too many surgeries and was tired plus I work in the morning. Thanks for reminding me about the rings. My husband gets upset if I don't have them on but gloves you know." She recovered quickly and grabbed her rings sliding them neatly onto her finger.
"Right." He said, eying her suspiciously.
He continued to survey the place until his eyes landed on the door. Addison's heart began to beat faster and faster as he approached the closed door.
"Listen, could you leave? I really need rest." She tried.
"What's in there?" He said pausing to look at her.
"It's just a washroom." She explained.
He turned again and began to walk towards it once more. She moved quickly to grab onto his arm to pull.
"Hey! You can't just barge in here. Get out! I don't know you." She said as she forcefully turned him to face her.
He towered over her, eyes full of malice. He grabbed her wrist and lifted his other hand slightly and she began to shake, her eyes wide in terror.
'Oh god. What do I do? Oh god!'
"Is there a problem here?" And she was so grateful as she turned to find Derek in the doorway, a blonde intern behind him.
Even when he was accompanied by Meredith she felt as though she could kiss them both. They had had such amazing timing.
"Is there a problem here?" Derek asked again, stepping into the office.
"Who are you?" Ethan asked as he lowered his other hand but still hung onto Addison.
"That's my husband. Now let go and leave. Aelwyne is not here. Hey, you're hurting me." She said, trying to shake off his grasp as it got stronger.
She turned to Derek with pleading eyes and thankfully he already understood. He walked over to them grabbing onto Ethan's hand which still held on tight to her wrist.
"Let. Go. Of. My. Wife." Derek spit out angrily. "Now!"
Meredith ran then. Addison hoped she had run for help.
"I'm just looking for my fiancée. I apologize." Ethan said, finally letting go of Addison.
She rubbed her wrist, which she was sure would bruise. The men looked at each other suddenly aware of each of their movements. Addison quickly moved behind Derek as he had motioned her to.
"She told you she's alone. So go. You're not welcomed here." Derek spat at Ethan.
"Well aren't you attendings? Page her." Ethan said, waving his hands in desperation.
Soon the hallway flooded with footsteps. Then Richard and two security guards came in followed by Meredith.
"That's the guy. He was attacking Dr. Montgomery." Meredith said pointing at Ethan as the two guards walked towards him.
"Attacking is such a harsh way to put it. I was just talking with the good doctor. I'm just looking for my fiancée. Hey- let go!" Ethan tried getting away from the guards who held him in place and walked him out.
"We'll hold him in our office chief." And after a nod from Richard they took the trashing man away.
"Addison what is going on?" Derek asked first.
"Hold on." Addison moved quickly to the washroom door but before opening she motioned for Meredith to close the one to her office.
After her office door was closed she opened the washroom door. Aelwyne had crouched down in the distant corner her hands covering her ears rocking back and forth. As the light hit her she looked up fear still flooding her gaze.
"Aelwyne… Ael… he's gone." Addison soothed.
Aelwyne looked at her and nodded in understanding standing up flinching at the movement. She walked slowly towards Addison's outstretched hand.
"He's gone?" She asked as she took Addison's hand and walked out of the washroom scanning the faces in the office.
Meredith gasped as she saw her. Derek and Richard were silent as they noticed the bruises forming on her cheek and neck. Both men's radiating anger made the young intern flinch a couple of steps back into the washroom.
"Ael… it's ok. Breathe. It's ok. They're not mad at you. They're mad for you. It's ok come on out." Addison soothed again and the intern followed as Richard and Derek softened the ire.
"Ael?" Meredith said. Addison knew the blonde intern wanted to run to her friend but was unsure if it would be ok.
"It's ok." Addison said to her as she motioned her forward.
"No wait-" Addison tried as Meredith came to her friend at once and tried to hug her causing Aelwyne to wince again.
"Something wrong?" Meredith asked, pulling away immediately.
"He…" Aelwyne began but tears invaded her and she shook.
"It's ok. You are safe. He's not here." Addison said as she sat the young intern on the couch and motioned for Meredith to sit with her.
She then made her way to Derek and Richard, whose anger threatened to overflow the place once more. She turned them around to look at her.
"He's her ex-fiancé." She began softly.
"Wonder why?" Derek seethed.
"Derek calm down. Both of you calm down." She said as she noticed Richard beginning to flex his hand.
"He's her ex-fiancé. She did not tell me much about it. But apparently his brother-in-law is a patient here. Aelwyne tensed up as soon as she recognized him. I didn't understand why. We were together when he first saw her. He introduced himself. But I left them talking and then she showed up here after he hit her. Then he came and I hid her but he almost found her. He could've… Derek, thank you so much… I'm sorry I lied… I just" she herself began shaking.
"It's ok Addie." He placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
"Derek, have security, get the police. Give them your statement and have them wait for her." Richard asked motioning at Aelwyne who sat with Meredith on the couch.
"Also get Miranda." Richard said as Derek made his way out.
"Addie you did good." He said as he embraced her in a half hug. She leaned her head onto his shoulder and sighed.
A few minutes later Bailey walked in. Addison now sat on the other side of Aelwyne after having cleaned her face of the dried blood from her split lip. Richard had settled silently on Addison's desk chair. Bailey did not turn to the chief as she came in, she went straight to the intern and sat on the small coffee table in front of her.
"Let me see Aelwyne. Let's get those scrubs off." Bailey began as she took one of the intern's hands in hers.
At that the chief got up from the chair and walked out shutting the door behind him but staying there in the hallway.
Aelwyne looked at her and nodded slowly. Lifting her arms above her head as Meredith and Addison helped her out of her clothes. Once the scrub top was off they took off the long sleeve shirt she wore under it. Aelwyne winced slightly as both came off.
Meredith's breath caught as she saw the beginnings of bruises on Aelwyne's rib cage, both biceps, and back. Addison and Bailey, who were a bit more trained in situations like these, quietly scanned the bruises as well.
"Aelwyne are you hurt anywhere else?" Bailey asked and the intern shook her head.
"It doesn't seem like anything is broken, Miranda. Will probably need an x-Ray though. Her ribs are most likely bruised. An ortho doc can probably tell us more." Addison said as she palpated the bruising areas.
"Good. And yes I'll have someone come for a consult in a bit. You can put on your shirt again." Bailey said softly.
Addison could tell the resident was ready to blow a gasket but was trying her damndest not to let go. It was true she called them all idiots. But they were her idiots. She felt responsible for them. She was the one nurturing them. They were her students and they were close to family now.
Addison was lost in thought, admiring Bailey's resilience when Aelwyne finally spoke. The sound of her voice dragging her back.
"Your wrist." The intern said softly as her gaze fell on Addison's wrist.
"It's nothing to worry about." Addison said trying to wave the intern's worry away. Aelwyne took her hand and examined it herself.
"It's not broken either." She said as she held Addison.
Everyone was quiet. They waited for Aelwyne to speak. To explain what had happened with Ethan. For a few minutes she was quiet and still held Addison's hand. She took a deep breath and began telling them about Ethan. About how they had been engaged and about how she had figured out the kind of man he was. About how she had called it off and avoided him. About how aside from needing a change of scenery she also needed to put more distance between them. Bailey, Meredith, and Addison listened not wanting to interrupt her.
"When I saw him here I was so scared. I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Aelwyne continued looking at Addison, her voice wavering slightly.
Addison felt a pang of guilt as she apologized. Because had she not been so self absorbed she might have paid more attention to how the intern tensed up. How her eyes filled with fear. How she pleaded with her gaze when Addison decided to walk away.
"No. I'm sorry for leaving you alone with him." Addison said softly.
"You didn't know. It's better that you left. He would've hurt you too." Aelwyne replied, tightening her grasp on Addison.
"What did he do to you?" Meredith asked softly.
"He grabbed my arm and dragged me to a supply closet. He yelled and then hit me. Once. Then twice. He kept saying I was his and he would take me back now. His fingers were digging into my arms. I was so scared. I was terrified. He kept saying he would take me. And I couldn't let him take me. So I fought. I kicked as hard as I could. And I got him to let go. Then I ran here." As she told them what happened her eyes filled with tears and her body shook once more.
Addison held her hand. She had managed to keep her anger in check but seeing Aelwyne like this made it boil. Aelwyne was someone who did not budge. Smart and strong. But now, now she looked weak and frail. That man or animal, a more fitting description, had done this. He had made Aelwyne's eyes fill with fear. He had made her tremble. Addison was beside herself with anger. She tried to even her breaths.
'Focus Addison. She needs assurance. Not anger. She needs to feel safe. Focus damnit.'
Try as she might she could not calm down the storm that started raging inside of her. She pried her hand away from Aelwyne's and got up to pace the room. Back and forth. Back and forth she went. She was so frustrated and angry. Angry at herself for leaving Aelwyne with him. Angry at what he had done to her. Angry that she could not even hold her to try and comfort her because she would hurt her. So she paced willing her anger away with each step. But it would not budge. She braced herself on the desk, her back to Aelwyne and the rest. Her knuckles were going white as she held on for dear life. Then arms wrapped around her midriff and she felt the warmth of another person on her back as they slowly hugged her.
"It's ok." Aelwyne whispered in her ear and she sighed at the contact.
"Shouldn't we be the ones saying that?" Addison chuckled slightly, her voice cracking slowly as she placed her own hand above the intern's and allowed her own eyes to fill up with tears.
"Aelwyne. Derek just messaged me asking if you were ready for the cops." Meredith said as she looked at her phone breaking the silence once more.
Addison felt her tense up once more and she squeezed her hand reassuringly. Both Meredith and Bailey seemed to get it.
"I'll tell him in a few more minutes." Meredith said.
"Yeah let's give you some more time to prepare. I'll also go and page ortho. We'll need to get you into x-Ray. But don't worry I'll make sure it's done discreetly." Bailey added.
With a nod from Aelwyne, who was still hugged up to Addison, both Meredith and Bailey stepped out of the office to wait in the hall along with Richard.
"How are they?" He asked.
"Aelwyne is hurt. She'll need an x-Ray and ortho. And I think it's good she's holding onto Addison. If not I think Addison would be killing that man." Bailey said.
"You've got a point." Richard tried chuckling softly, worry still showing over every feature of his face.
Addison did not move more than the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. She did draw circles on the intern's hand trying to sooth her. Aelwyne slowly began to ease again. Her tension seemingly disappearing with each breath.
"I wish I could hold you now. Like you've held me. But I don't want to hurt you." Addison said swallowing hard.
Aelwyne let go of her then backing up slightly. Addison turned to face her with a confused look.
"I'm sorry. I…" Addison tried unsure of whether the statement had bothered the intern.
"Hold me?" Aelwyne whispered, stretching her arms toward her.
"But you're hurt." Addison replied, still not moving.
"Hold me. Please. I need you to." Aelwyne said, her voice catching.
Addison needed no more encouragement, she began to wrap her arms carefully around the intern. At any sort of wince or show of uncomfort she knew to pull away immediately. But as she wrapped her arms around her, Aelwyne moved quickly seeking her warmth pulling at her scrubs as if trying to secure her there. She felt as the intern sighed contently in her arms. One breath, then two, then she sobbed into Addison's chest. Addison just held her as the intern let everything out, all of the pain. She wanted to hurt that man. She wanted him to suffer for what he had done. For making her intern feel this way.
'Did I just... No. Later Addison. Later'
"It's ok. I've got you. It's fine. I'm here." She repeated over and over and over.
Slowly the sobs subsided and Aelwyne took deep breaths as if trying to calm herself. Addison just held her as she leaned slightly on her desk.
"Thank you." Aelwyne said softly and when Addison made to pull away the intern held on tighter. "Please."
"Ok. I've got you. I'm here. Breathe." Addison whispered.
Addison felt such relief having her there, safe and warm in her arms. Of course she did not quite understand why yet but she did not care about understanding. She did not want to think she just wanted to be. Her and Aelwyne that was it. Right now, in this moment them holding each other was all that needed to be.
And then there were 12. I know we've had two consecutive chapters from Addison's point of view but you know sometimes you start writing and suddenly the plans go out the window. I wanted to have it be a switch between her and Aelwyne from chapter to chapter but things happen. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think in the reviews. Also from now on I'm thinking of releasing chapters in a schedule. For now a chapter a week will be the thing. I'll figure out which day and let y'all know. Most likely Sundays though. ;)