Chapter 28: Birthday Dinner

Time had gone rather quickly. After a few hours of napping Aelwyne and Addison both had found Meredith and did their charting. There had been just one emergent case, with which they dealt with rather quickly. When the mother had arrived she was very close to delivery the only issue was that the baby was turned. Addison had expertly fixed the position before delivering without having to do surgery. Both baby and mother were safe, so after some charting for the new patient all three were free to rest for the night. Addison and Aelwyne slept in the attending's office while Meredith went to an on-call room with Derek. All in all it was a rather quiet night.

The next day had gone without a hitch and both Aelwyne and Addison found themselves driving. The car ride was full of laughter and chats and some great singing. Addison had asked Aelwyne to first bring her to the hotel since she had already gone through the clothes she had brought to the loft. They both got down and went up to Addison's room.

Addison began collecting more clothing as Aelwyne sat on the bed humming to one of the songs they had been listening to. The redhead smiled as she heard the happy sound coming out of the intern sitting happily on the bed. The humming stopped suddenly causing Addison to get out of the walk-in closet.

"Everything alright?" Addison asked as she popped her head out, sending Aelwyne into a fit of giggles as she held her injured cheek. "What's so funny?"

"Last time you popped your head out like that you were drunk and naked in my bathroom." Aelwyne giggled.

"Oh? Well sad to say I'm fully clothed." Addison shrugged.

"Want me to change that?" Aelwyne smirked.

"It'd be nice but…" Addison looked at her lifting her eyebrows.

"But, we have about an hour and a half to get ready and be at Meredith's." Aelwyne finished, sighing in discontent.

"Soon." Addison grinned, allowing some of her lust and desire to shine through her eyes.

"Soon." Aelwyne echoed, her eyes darkening a bit.

"Anyway, why'd you stop humming?" Addison said quickly, changing the subject, trying to sober herself up.

"Oh umm. Why is your stuff in this hotel room?" Aelwyne said as she recalled where her mind had been before naked Addison filled it.

"This is where I live." Addison said, cocking her head in question.

"Well uh…. technically you live with me. No?" Aelwyne said tilting her head.

"I mean, we had never really decided…" Addison began.

"What do you mean?" Aelwyne chuckled. "You already call it home."

"Is that how it works?" Addison nodded and began to chuckle.

"Don't we make the rules?" Aelwyne said with a grin.

"Guess we do, don't we?" Addison chuckled some more and went back to packing some clothes.

"We could come back tomorrow and move everything, if that makes you feel better?!" Addison called out from the closet.

"I guess we could." Aelwyne replied as she stood right behind her.

"Why?! Why do you feel the need to do that?" Addison said as she jumped dropping what she was holding onto.

"It's funny to watch you all freaked out and flustered." Aelwyne giggled. "You look all cute and adorable."

"Be quiet and help me." Addison scoffed a blush warming her cheeks.

"Ok." Aelwyne said, sounding defeated. "We need to hurry though."

"Why?" Addison asked her.

"What do you mean why? I know you showered already back at the hospital but I didn't so I need to get ready. You can get ready here but I can't." Aelwyne replied.

"Actually…" Addison looked at her in a sort of guilty manner.

"What?" Aelwyne chuckled a bit, narrowing her eyes.

"There's a box and a bag on the other side of the bed. It's yours." Addison replied as she led her back out to the main room.

Aelwyne followed her until she pointed to the other side of the bed so she went looking. There was a wrapped box adorned with a purple ribbon. A small bag, she recognized as her own lay right next to it. She picked up both and placed them on the bed as she looked over at Addison who simply smiled.

"It's nothing big. I knew time would be short after work so I thought I'd just keep everything here." The redhead explained. "And I also saw something I thought would look great on you."

"Addison…" Aelwyne said with a smile.

"Go ahead. Open it." Addison encouraged.

"Ok." Aelwyne responded excitingly.

First, just to tease Addison, she opened her own bag. Inside was her red set of lace underwear along with some toiletries, her favorite perfume and, makeup bag. She felt her face grow hot at the thought of Addison going through her underwear drawer. She had actually held those and folded them.

"Umm I hope it's ok that I looked through your drawers." Addison said quickly and nervously.

"It was necessary. You sure know how to pick them." Aelwyne said with a small grin, to which Addison blushed at.

"Open the box now." Addison urged, the intern's grin growing wider.

Carefully and slowly she unwrapped the box earning herself an annoyed groan from Addison, to which she giggled. As she opened the box she found a black dress. It was fitted at the top with a v-shaped collar and with long sleeves. While the bottom flared down to a few inches above the knee. It was simple and casual yet elegant. Aelwyne pulled it onto her chest previewing how it would look.

"This is beautiful. Thank you. You didn't…" Aelwyne began with a smile and swaying a bit watching the skirts swich every which way.

"I know I didn't have to." Addison interrupted. "But you'll make it look gorgeous. It was sad back in the store."

"Was it now?" Aelwyne giggled.

"It was. Now go shower." Addison walked to her and guided her to the bathroom.

"Why not black underwear?" Aelwyne asked as they reached the door.

"So you'll match me." Addison whispered close to her ear and pushed her gently, shutting the door for her. "Hurry, we don't have much time." She called.

Addison went back to her closet to keep packing some more stuff. She knew she would still come back tomorrow but she could still leave her stuff packed or as much as she could now. She was happy about the whole moving over to Aelwyne's officially. Yes, she had been sleeping there for a few weeks now. And yes, Aelwyne had given her her own key but they really had not talked about it.

After a bit of packing she went on to actually get ready herself. She had also picked a long sleeved short form fitted yet flowy dress. However in her case the dress was red with an o-neck and a thin black belt around the waist. She paired the dress with black peep-toe wedges. She was close finishing her makeup, putting on lipstick, when Aelwyne peeked her head out the bathroom.

"Wow." Addison heard Aelwyne say and as she turned fully she saw the intern eye her up and down.

"Do I look ok?" Addison asked, placing her lipstick down.

"Ok?! Ok?" Aelwyne began. "You look stunning." Her eyes continually roaming the redhead's figure as she bit her lip.

"How about you? Show me yours since I already showed you mine." Addison said with a wide grin.

"Ok. I have no shoes though. And I may need help covering this." Aelwyne said, stepping out fully pointing at her cheek.

"I was so right. You make it look gorgeous. You look amazing." Addison gushed.

"Yeah?" Aelwyne replied softly.

"Hell yeah." Addison said, making her way towards her. She wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist bringing her closer and pressed her forehead to hers. She began to lean in when Aelwyne pulled back.

"Nope. Your makeup is done." Aelwyne smiled and backed up into the bathroom once more.

"Ael." Addison whined with a pout.

"You're cute when you want me, Addie." Aelwyne giggled.

"I don't want you." Addison said quickly.

"No?" Aelwyne tilted her head.

"I need you." Addison smiled sweetly. "But ok, let's get the bruise erased for a while."

After a few strokes of the brush and some very fine contouring the bruise was completely hidden. Addison then guided Aelwyne to the closet so that she may choose a pair of shoes. Thankfully they both wore the same size so the intern had quite the collection to choose from. After finally deciding to wear nude cut-out heels they headed for the door with a little bag for Addison.

"Alright, ready?" Addison said looking behind her.

"Do we have to go? Can't I just keep you here?" Aelwyne asked in a childish tone with a little pout.

"You could. But I want to show you off. Let's go!" Addison said, taking the giggling intern's hand.

When the two arrived at Meredith's house it seemed everyone was already there. They walked hand in hand to the porch but just before Addison rang the bell Aelwyne stopped her. It was clear the brunette still felt some type of way with celebrating her birthday and the uneasiness and guilt was written all across her face.

"Ar-are you sure this is a good idea?" Aelwyne said guiltily.

"Celebrating the fact that you're here with me by some miracle?" Addison said, bringing her free hand to caress her cheek. "I'm sure. But if this is too much for you, we don't have to go in. This is your choice."

"You won't be mad? You bought the dress and everything." Aelwyne said with sad and worried eyes.

"Are you kidding? The dress needed you. It was going to get to you one way or another." Addison smiled gently. "Do you want to go home?" She asked.

Aelwyne looked at her a while and then looked inside through the glass windows. Her friends and teachers and bosses all sat together laughing about something, waiting. Her family was waiting. She knew that one word from her, one look, and Addison would get her out of here. But seeing them in there waiting for her she thought it'd be ok. So she looked back at Addison and smiled wide.

"Let's go in, they're waiting." Aelwyne said happily. "And I get to show off because no one in there is as amazing and beautiful as you."

"Only you." Addison chuckled and rang the bell.

"You're here!" Meredith said with a big smile as she opened the door.

"Finally, I'm hungry." Came Cristina's voice.

"Hi." Aelwyne said with a smile and shaking her head at Cristina's protest.

"Come on in. And welcome Addison. I don't think you've been here before." Meredith stepped aside to let them in.

The pair went in and into the living room where everyone whooped and waved in greeting. Richard sat with Bailey, Callie, and Arizona on the long couch. Izzie was on Alex's lap as George leaned on the arm of their armchair. Mark and Derek stood together with drinks in their hands. While Cristina leaned against the wall with her own drink.

"Sorry we're late." Addison apologized.

"It's her dinner so it doesn't matter." Richard said and Aelwyne smiled a bit.

"Hey Red, Kid." Mark said as he motioned to them. "Stunning. A for effort."

"Shut up, Mark." Addison said with a chuckle as Aelwyne just stood and smiled at her.

"She is stunning." Aelwyne said sweetly, Addison preening at the compliment.

"You'll make me throw up." Cristina said, making a disgusted face.

"You look beautiful too Cristina." Aelwyne said and pulled her into a quick hug. "Don't want you getting jealous."

"Oh yeah. Cristina gets jealous easily. You should've heard her when the chief was talking about your pre-ouch!" George was saying before Izzie punched him on the ribs.

"Nice right hook babe." Alex cheered.

"Babe?" Callie asked arching a brow as Izzie blushed and Alex smirked.

"It's about time, honestly." Everyone was surprised when it was Bailey who said it. "What? I have eyes." She shrugged and everyone laughed.

"So… drinks?" Meredith pipped in. "I have tequila and vodka and scotch and merlot. And Cristina could make you one of her 'Good day to Die' drinks." Meredith offered.

"Or I could make you a margarita?" Callie offered.

"Margarita would be nice." Aelwyne said as Addison opted for the wine.

Once everyone had their drinks people began to mingle about. Addison was off meeting the new attending who seemed nice. While Aelwyne and Cristina managed to fit in a chair together as Meredith leaned against Derek. Mark was over, teasing George while Alex and Izzie whispered to each other and laughed. The oven dinged and Izzie was off with Meredith to the kitchen. Aelwyne offered to help but was quickly waved off. Cristina got a call from her mother so she went to take it before the woman went crazy over texts and voicemails. After that Derek and Aelwyne were left alone. He looked around as did the intern with smiles on their faces.

"This is a very good family, we have." Derek chuckled.

"Very dysfunctional." Aelwyne chuckled as she continued to look around her eyes meeting Addison's across the room. They smiled sweetly at each other. "But very good, yes." She finished turning back to Derek who had followed her line of sight.

"I forgave. Now I'm free to love." He said referencing her own words. "Have you?" He asked her. She glanced over at Addison once more then back at him.

"I'm working on it." Aelwyne said with a sad smile.

"You know I think there are some things we can forgive but others that are just too much. Some that can be forgiven but not forgotten." He said mirroring her smile. "I'll never forgive that animal for what he did to you." He continued and she shifted slightly looking down. "I'll definitely not forgive Burke for what he did to you and what he tried to do to Miranda." He said lifting her chin gently and smiling down at her.

"Thank you." Aelwyne said softly as he took his hand and squeezed it. "I think you're a good man, Derek. So I guess I'll forgive what you did to Meredith. Also because technically thanks to you she's here." She looked back at the smiling redhead lost in her own conversation. "And now she's mine." She beamed.

"You love her. Don't you?" Derek grinned.

"I… yeah." Aelwyne said with a genuine smile.

Over at the other side Addison sat with Richard, Bailey, Callie, and Arizona. The five of them deep in conversation, though Addison just kept on glancing over at Aelwyne.

"Earth to Addison?" Callie said.

"Huh?" Addison raised her brows in question.

"We're over here, stop ogling your cute little intern and pay attention." She added with an amused smile.

"I'm paying attention." Addison defended as Arizona brought her hand slightly up for the others to see as she began counting down with her fingers. After she got to one finger Addison's gaze left them and went over to Aelwyne.

"Wow you're on a timer." Callie teased.

"I told you." Arizona giggled next to her.

"Leave me alone. I just…" Addison tried but could not come up with a good reason.

"You are smitten." Arizona smiled playfully.

"You make a good couple. If people hated you and Derek, people won't be able to stand you two." Richard said with a light chuckle.

"I already can't with so much mush." Bailey said, shaking her head. "How is she by the way?" She asked, a bit concerned.

"She's ok. Her cheek hurts a bit but she's fine." Addison said, glancing over to the intern who now was also accompanied by Mark.

"And her umm… well she had a panic attack." Bailey asked, still worried.

"She's getting better. She doesn't get anxious by supply closets anymore. She's stopped tensing up whenever a man who looks like him is close. She's getting there. What happened with Burke brought back some memories but she'll be ok. Still she doesn't talk much about the things with Ethan but she's getting there." Addison said with a gentle smile.

"Good. That's good." Bailey said relief washing over her features.

"I'm glad you have each other." Richard said smiling.

"Chief, can we ask you something?" George called next to Alex.

"Duty calls." Richard said getting up.

"With those boys?" Bailey scoffed. "You never know."

"How are things between you two?" Callie asked once it was just the women.

"Things are good. I'm actually moving in officially tomorrow." Addison smiled cheerfully.

"Nice." Arizona said happily.

"Yay!" Callie cheered.

"Isn't it too fast?" Bailey asked, bringing the celebration down.

"Maybe. But Ael said something today that made sense to me." Addison smiled softly. "We make the rules."

"True. Just as long as you take care of her." Bailey pointed out.

"Oh I definitely will." Addison assured her.

"So how is she though?" Arizona tried again with a knowing smirk.

"Oh well. She's a teasingly annoying flirt. I'm a flirt too but her." Addison sighed. "She wins in that department most of the time. Especially when it comes to teasing. She's a pro."

"Have you umm… you know?" Callie asked timidly, squirming a bit under Arizona's amused glance.

"Well not really. Not yet. Besides it's not like we've had much time." Addison replied a growing blush going up her neck when she glanced over at Aelwyne once more and the intern smirked as if on cue. "It's not as if I have much experience either." She admitted.

"Make the time. Sex with a woman is the most amazing thing ever." Arizona said nonchalantly.

"Have you been with a man?" Bailey asked, raising a brow.

"No. But I know." Arizona shrugged and the rest laughed.

"Alright everyone. The table is set and dinner is ready." Meredith called. "Where's Cristina?"

"I'm here. I swear that woman is going to drive me nuts. She called to arrange a marriage for me. The nerve." Cristina huffed and puffed.

"Alright, Cristina c'mon." Meredith said walking over to her and linking arms.

"We won't let her." Aelwyne added as she felt a light touch on her back.

"I missed you." Addison whispered as she rested her chin on the brunette's shoulder and wrapped her arms around her middle.

"Stop it with the mushiness." Cristina frowned a bit.

"Alright. Fine Yang." Addison said letting go and settling on taking Aelwyne's hand, as she giggled at their exchange.

Everyone sat at the table and ate to their hearts' content. Izzie had cooked a turkey with Bailey's help. It was pretty much a thanksgiving dinner because Aelwyne had once said that a big holiday dinner like that with family might be nice. It was a delicious meal and Aelwyne along with everyone made sure to let both cooks know about it. After dinner the group moved back to the living room for some more chatter. This time Aelwyne made sure to stay next to Addison. They sat together with Meredith and Derek. Bailey and Richard as always sat together in some chairs Meredith had brought from the kitchen. Alex and Izzie still sat together in one armchair as Mark leaned against it chatting with Cristina who took the other empty armchair. Callie, who was upset Arizona had been called in even though it was her night off, sat at a chair close to Mark and Cristina. George had also been paged as he was on call. Meredith and Cristina exchanged a look and nodded.

"Alright everyone guess it's time now." Cristina said Aelwyne looked at her confused.

"We know you don't like it, your birthday. Which is why we called it a dinner but we still wanted to give you something." Meredith said. "Well a few things. Nothing big." She added.

"I umm…" Aelwyne began but stopped briefly. She had Addison's hand in her own and felt the reassuring squeeze as she looked back at her. "Ok." She smiled softly.

"Well us first!" Alex said as he reached behind his and Izzie's armchair and grabbed a gift bag. "Here."

"Thanks." Aelwyne said, taking the gift bag with a smile. Inside she found a knitted mustard scarf, a tray with two homemade cupcakes and a mixtape titled 'For the Sweetest Sweetness'. Aelwyne chuckled at the title and wrapped the scarf around herself. "This feels great! Feel it Addie." She offered and Addison obliged happily.

"Izzie helped me pick the songs for the playlist and she made the cupcakes." Alex said with a genuine smile.

"I hope you like both. And the cupcakes are the same so you and Dr. Montgomery can enjoy one each." Izzie said shyly as Aelwyne smiled at her. They had gotten off on the wrong foot but now things were ok. True the two were not as close as Meredith, Cristina, and her, but still.

"And the scarf? Did you knit it?" Aelwyne asked.

"No. I kinda asked my mom if she'd make it. I thought you'd like something that came from a mom even though mine is a little complicated." Alex said shifting a bit.

"Thank you Alex. Really." Aelwyne smiled sweetly and he smiled right back.

"Evil Spawn so nice." Cristina said. "It's my turn." She got up and handed Aelwyne a small gift box.

"Cristina." Aelwyne teased and Cristina waved her off. She opened the box and inside found a jar full of all the different types of gummies she loved. There was also a box of hair ties and scrunchies, which sent Aelwyne and Meredith into a fit of laughter. "Are you giving me my hair ties back?"

"Listen I thought since I'm always taking them I should maybe be nice enough to give you some." Cristina shrugged as everyone else began to laugh.

"Thank you, friend." Aelwyne said with a smile as Cristina nodded smugly.

"I guess it's my turn since we're going in a circle." Callie said as she got up and handed the small bag to Aelwyne. "I hope you like them. I did, but then I'm me so… I don't know, just look at it."

"Thanks." Aelwyne replied as she took the tissue paper and brought up a cup of pens. The thing with the pens was that they were not your average pens, they were bone shaped ones. Aelwyne took them all out and inspected them silently.

"If you don't like them I'll take them and just give you something else." Callie offered, a bit nervous.

"Are you kidding? These are awesome. Look Addie it's the tibia. And this is a metacarpal with its phalange." Aelwyne said excitedly.

"These are pretty cool, Callie." Addison said taking the femur shaped one.

"Oh thank god. I'm glad you like them." Callie said, relieved.

"Alright. Alright. My turn. Here you go kid." Mark said, handing her a small box.

"Thanks Grandpa." Aelwyne said.

"Hey!" Mark protested and she smirked at him. She shook the box first and everyone chuckled. Then she opened it to find a silver watch, simple but pretty and very practical. She smiled sweetly as she showed it to Addison, just like she had done with everything else. "I don't like the one you have so I got you a better one." He said with a smirk.

"You know," Aelwyne scoffed a bit. "I almost thanked you." She shook her head as Addison chuckled next to her.

"You're welcome Kid." He replied.

"Here." Said Bailey as she stood up handing her a rather large gift bag.

"Where did you hide this?" Aelwyne chuckled but Bailey's only reply was a shrug. "Thank you." She said and began to open it. Inside was a soft lilac throw and a box of compression socks.

"You'll thank me for those later." Bailey said when she pulled out the socks.

"Can I thank you now?" Aelwyne asked as she got up herself to give her a hug. "Please?" She begged a bit when Bailey turned away from her.

"Fine." The resident said as she got up and gave her a quick hug.

"I'm next right?" Richard said awkwardly. He handed her a book. "I read that one a while ago and it was good and funny so I thought you may like it. The author also signed it. She was a patient of mine."

"Thank you. I love reading so this is great." Aelwyne said, opening the cover to find a little note wishing a happy birthday with the author's signature.

"Also, well, this isn't really a birthday present. It's nice we are having dinner and I get to give it to you here." Richard said as he pulled out the infamous sparkle pager.

"Wait isn't that for residents?" Aelwyne asked, confused.

"Well actually every once in a while when there's a group of promising interns we let them have the pager for two weeks. It works much like the residents. With it you can assist in whichever surgery you want and you also get to decide if one of your fellow interns can scrub in along with you to observe. Last week the attendings and your resident sat down and decided you deserved it. However when you become a resident you'll compete for it." Richard explained.

"I can go to any surgery?" Aelwyne asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Any surgery." Richard confirmed.

"Lucky." Cristina said softly. "You better take me with you for the cardio ones."

"I'll take you to all the peds ones." Aelwyne smirked.

"You wouldn't." Cristina gasped.

"I would. I know you love kids." Aelwyne grinned as the rest of the interns laughed.

"Ok. Ok our turn." Meredith said, handing her a bag.

"Thanks!" Aelwyne replied with a smile, taking the bag. She reached in and first she pulled out a huge bag of peanut M and then found a mug filled with pens, some new ones and others she recognized. "Seriously? You two are one in the same." She said pointing at Meredith and a laughing Cristina as she chuckled herself. "You are just replenishing the stack so I have more to give you. Aren't you?"

"I thought it was practical." Meredith shrugged. "Derek also put something in there." She added with a smile at her McDreamy. Aelwyne reached in once more and pulled out a take out coffee mug.

"Thank you both." Aelwyne said with a smile. "Thank you guys. Really." She said to everyone. "This whole birthday celebration is still a little hard to get through but I'm glad you're all here with me."

"I think everyone is glad that you're here." Addison said next to her as some of the others hummed or nodded in agreement.

The rest of the evening was spent with some more chatter. A lot of back and forth between Mark and Aelwyne and Cristina and Meredith. Bailey tried to keep order while Richard told her to let them be. As Callie, Derek, and Addison laughed at their exchanges. Alex and Izzie left early to Alex's place after a full teasing section courtesy of Meredith, Cristina, and Aelwyne. It was a great night where they became closer as friends and family.

"That wasn't too bad. Was it?" Addison said as she drove.

"Nope. I had fun with everyone. I felt pretty good. Did you enjoy yourself?" Aelwyne asked sweetly as she played with Addison's hair.

"I did. We have great people in our lives." She smiled happily.

"We really do." Aelwyne sighed contently.

"Did you like your presents?" Addison asked.

"I loved them all. Even Mark's. I think you'll love the cupcake. Izzie is really good. And Callie's pens are so awesome. I also have gummies galore." Aelwyne said excitedly.

"There's still one more present." Addison smirked wildly.

"Yeah?" Aelwyne looked at her suspiciously. "You've given me more than enough. You don't have to give me anything else." She said as she gently caressed her cheek as they parked.

"I haven't given you everything I want to give you yet." Addison replied as she leaned into her touch.

"What do you want to give me?" Aelwyne tilted her head a bit.

"Let's go upstairs and I'll show you."

And then there were 28! I'm so so so sorry. I know what you guys are waiting on and I promise it's going to happen next chapter. It's just this one was so long already and my time is slightly limited this week but it's coming I promise. Anyway thank you so so much for all the support and reviews. You guys keep at it and let me know what you think. You are all awesome. Until next time. ;)