Chapter 46
AN: My updating is going to be very sporadic as I am working full time, not as a lawyer like I spent four years in law school for, but in the only job I could get. So I can't promise regular updates, but I will do my best.
Four days have passed since Addison, Derek, Amelia, Teddy, and Zola started to move into their new house with the help of their friends; and as they still have a lot to move, they are going between the old house and lake house as it is the best way to handle the situation at the moment.
It's a Wednesday morning and Addison, Derek, and Amelia are sitting around the kitchen table with Zola, while Teddy is standing in front of them, using the kitchen bench for her laptop, which is facing the others.
"And that's why stem cell therapy is the future of Cardiothoracic surgery innovation," Teddy says, finishing her presentation and so Addison, Derek, and Amelia all clap.
"That was great," Amelia says, with a grin.
"I can change anything, if you think it's not right, or if there is something I could do better," Teddy says, looking between the three incredible surgeons whose opinions she truly values, as she wants this presentation to go well and so she wants it to be the best it can be.
"Don't change anything," Addison assures her.
"But piece of advice…" Derek offers, sounding slightly hesitant.
"Of course," Teddy responds, being willing to take any advice Derek wants to give.
"Don't doubt yourself, have confidence," Derek says. "Teddy, you know your stuff, the presentation is great, and you deserve the funding; I believe that, now you need to as well," Derek tells his friend.
"Thanks Derek," Teddy says gratefully, like Derek she has realized how far the two of them have come, and she is very glad about that fact.
"We should get going, we don't want Teddy to be late," Amelia says, and the group start to get ready and head out of the house, that is pretty empty as a lot of the furniture is at the Lake House.
A while after listening to Teddy's presentation Addison, who has performed an operation, is going in search of Richard as he was supposed to be in the surgery with her but did not show up. After a bit of searching Addison manages to find Richard alone in an empty office; and the second she sees him Addison becomes concerned.
"Richard," Addison says, as she slowly walks towards him. "Are you alright?" Addison asks concerned.
"Addison," Richard says, seeing her, and Addison can hear that his voice is off.
"What's happened?" Addison asks concerned as she walks over and sits across from him.
"It's Adel," Richard says. "Things have gotten worse over the last couple of weeks, and in a lucid moment she said it's time she went into a facility," Richard explains.
"I am so sorry," Addison says, as she reaches out and takes her friend's hand which she squeezes, as the two of them drift into silence. Addison desperately wants to do or say something to help Richard, but she isn't sure what she can do.
A little while after Addison found Richard it is lunch time and as the rest of their friends are in surgery or doing other things Teddy and Amelia are having lunch together.
"So, you got the funding?" Amelia asks.
"Yeah, I got the call five minutes ago," Teddy says, looking thrilled. "I was so nervous, but then I remembered what you, Addison and Derek said, and I went in there and did my presentation and it went great," Teddy explains.
"I knew it would," Amelia says, looking incredible proud.
"This feels good, it feels like things are moving forward, and I'm going to be okay," Teddy admits, knowing that a huge part of that is because of Amelia, her support, and how close they have become.
"That's because you are," Amelia assures her friend, and the two of them exchange smiles as they continue to have lunch together.
Hours later Addison, who has an extremely bad headache, is sitting up in bed listening to Derek who is talking about his day. Despite her pain Addison is happily listening to every word and can tell that Derek is extremely happy about his day, and it means a lot that he is sharing it with her.
"It was just great," Derek admits. "Amy handled all the emergencies, handled my service so I was able to spend the day in the OR with Lexie teaching her," Derek explains, as he puts his pajama top on and walks over to the bed, even though Addison knows that as one of the cases Amelia handled was Morgan's baby. "We were able to remove the cist, and get more information about the Tumor so that if we have to remove it in the future, we have the information we need; and best of all Lori is doing great; there's been no complications," Derek explains as he walks over and sits on the end of the bed. "Lexie's going to be an incredible Neurosurgeon one day," Derek says, considering it a pleasure to be able to teach her.
"You're really proud of her," Addison notes as she squints her eyes due to the pain in her head.
"Yeah, I know it doesn't make sense, but I still see Lexie as a sister," Derek admits, and to his surprise, despite her pain, Addison smiles softly.
"It makes perfect sense," Addison admits. "Even when you and I hated each other I still saw Amelia, Nancy, Kathleen, and Liz as my sisters," Addison admits, as she rubs her head. "I get it; and I support it," Addison says, as she knows that Derek loves Lexie as a sister, and he wouldn't want to take that away from him.
"Addie, you okay?" Derek asks concerned as he realizes that Addison is in pain.
"I've had a really bad headache all day," Addison admits. "I had a nap and though it would go away, but it didn't," Addison admits.
"Do you want me to get you something?" Derek asks, wanting to do something to help as he hates seeing Addison in pain; especially after realizing that he has been the cause of so much of Addison's pain.
"No, I don't want to risk it," Addison admits. "I think I just want to sleep; can you hold me?" Addison asks.
"Of course," Derek says, and he moves so that he is lying behind Addison and holds her as she closes her eyes. "Get some rest, Addie," Derek says, kissing her neck.
Three days have passed since Teddy got her funding for her Stem Cell project and it has become clear to everyone how much it means to her to have achieved that on his own. It is early morning on the last day Addison, Derek, Amelia, Teddy and Zola will spend at the old house before the move to the Lake House as the last of the furniture is being moved while they are at the hospital.
While Addison is still getting ready Derek is getting Zola ready.
"So tonight, we're going to go to our new home," Derek tells his daughter. "It's bigger, you'll have a bigger room, and theirs a lake, and more grass, and a pool; you're going to love it," Derek tells his daughter as he finishes getting her ready.
"DEREK!" Addison's absolutely terrified voice yells.
Hearing Addison's voice Derek picks up Zola and goes running to his and Addison's room. As he passes the stairs that lead upstairs Derek sees Teddy and Amelia hurrying down the stairs, clearly having heard the yell.
"Here, I need you two to take Zola," Derek says, as he hurriedly gives Zola to Teddy.
"We've got her," Amelia says as Derek runs into his and Addison's bedroom, and straight to the bathroom.
"Addie, what's wrong?" Derek asks worried as he hurries into the bathroom and finds Addison, who is dressed, holding on the sink for dear live.
"My visions blurry," Addison explains. "I though it was just because I needed to wear my glasses, so I put them on, but it hasn't gotten better," Addison explains, trying to look to where Derek is but she can't see him. "I think it's getting worse," Addison admits, sounding afraid, as she has never experienced this before.
"Okay, It's okay, we'll get you to Doctor Ryan," Derek says, as he assumes this must have something to do with the pregnancy, as he walks towards Addison.
"It's preeclampsia, it has to be," Addison says, as if it's not preeclampsia then it is something much, much worse, and that would mean bad news for the babies.
"Okay," Derek says, putting his arm around Addison's waist, not wanting to debate when it's Addison's specialty. "I've got you," Derek says.
"I know," Addison says, putting her complete trust in Derek and it doesn't even feel like a difficult thing to do which shows how far they have come.
Due to Addison not being able to see it takes a long time for Addison and Derek to get downstairs, but due to Derek's help Addison is able to.
"AMY! TEDDY!" Derek yells as he helps Addison down the last few steps.
"What's going on?" Amelia asks as she and Teddy hurry towards the pair, Teddy still holding Zola.
"Addie's having vision problems," Derek explains, worry clear in his voice, as soon as he sees the pair.
"Zola? Where's Zola?" Addison asks concerned, as she needs to know her daughter is okay.
"I've got her, she's okay," Teddy assures her friend.
"We should do a neuro exam," Amelia suggests, wanting to help.
"No, we need to get to the hospital," Derek says, as he helps Addison towards the door.
"Okay, then I'm driving," Amelia says. "You're in no state," Amelia says to Derek as she picks up not just her bag but Addison and Derek's as well, while Teddy grabs her bag and Zola's diaper bag.
After a tense car ride, and Addison needing help to get into the building, Addison, Derek, Teddy, Amelia and Zola get out of the elevator in the third floor of the hospital.
"Has it gotten better?" Derek asks Addison, hoping the answer is yes.
"Not really," Addison admits.
"What can we do?" Amelia asks, feeling worried, as they walk towards the nurses' station. Amelia and Teddy doing their best to clear a path for Derek and Addison, without making it seem like that's what they are doing.
"Get Zola to daycare," Derek requests. "We love you Zo,"
"Where is she? I want to hug her," Addison says and Teddy very carefully brings her over to Addison so Addison can hug her. "I love you Zo-Zo," Addison says, attempting to kiss Zola's head, but kissing her shoulder instead, as Amelia hands Derek the bags that belong to him and Addison.
"We've got her Addison, she'll be okay," Teddy assures her friend, taking a few steps back, and once she does Addison and Derek walk away. "Melia?" Teddy asks concerned, noticing the look on her friends face, the look she has tried so hard to hide from Derek and Addison.
"I can't lose her," Amelia admits, tears coming to her eyes, as more than anyone Addison has helped her get to this point in her life.
"I know," Teddy says, moving Zola to one arm so that she can put her other arm around Amelia. "I know," Teddy repeats, having no idea what else to say, and wishing that there was something she could do.
For a few minutes Teddy and Amelia stand together, it being almost like Amelia is in shock, but then Teddy knows what they have to do.
"Come on, Melia, let's get Zola upstairs," Teddy says, trying to get Amelia to focus on something, as she suspects it might help.
"Yeah, we should do that," Amelia says, and the two of them start to walk, and as they get closer to the nurses station Owen hurries over to them, it being clear that he has been looking for them.
"Good, you're here," Owen says, looking at Amelia. "Derek's not answering his page, and we need a neuro consult in the Pit," Owen explains, going to hand a file over to Amelia.
"No," Teddy says, before Amelia can say anything. "Get Nelson to take it, but make sure Lexie Grey is the resident, Melia and Derek aren't in any shape to work today," Teddy explains, giving Owen a look which she knows he will know the reason of because they know each other well, and because she is giving Owen a look, she misses the extremely grateful look Amelia is giving her.
"Okay," Owen says, wondering what is going on, and assuming that Teddy will fill him in later, before walking away.
"Page Doctor Yang tell her to meet me outside the Daycare," Teddy says to the nurse at the station and she and Amelia keep walking.
A couple of minutes later Amelia and Teddy get up to the daycare and as they get to the door Teddy notices Cristina walking towards them.
"Do you want to check Zola in?" Teddy asks, as she knows it will give her a chance to talk to Cristina
"Sure," Amelia responds.
"Bye Zo-Zo," Teddy says, kissing her head, before handing her to Amelia and while Amelia heads into the daycare Teddy walks over to Cristina. "I need you to take my service today. Anything that comes up you handle, only page me if there is something you really think you cannot handle, otherwise full autonomy; can you do that?" Teddy asks, without even saying hello.
"Yes, of course," Cristina says, feeling amazed, as this is what she always wants.
"Thank you," Teddy says gratefully, and Cristina goes to walk away, but then Teddy realizes something else. "Cristina," Teddy says, and she turns back around. "I also need you to find Bailey, Arizona, Callie, and Mark. Tell them that Addison is having serious pregnancy complications," Teddy explains as she knows Addison would want them to know. "But tell no one else, do you understand me?" Teddy asks, using the tone and body language she would use with soldiers.
"I understand," Cristina says, before walking away.
After Cristina walks away Teddy walks back over to the entrance to daycare and just as she walks over Amelia walks out.
"Let's go down to OB, be there for Addie and Derek," Teddy suggests.
"Don't you have patients?" Amelia asks, as she knows how busy Teddy's service is.
"Not anymore Cristina is handling them," Teddy explains.
"Thank you," Amelia says, as it means a lot to her that Teddy has done that.
"You don't have to thank me," Teddy says, sticking her hand out for Amelia to take, which she does, and the two of them head towards the OB floor.
A little while later Teddy and Amelia are sitting together outside the room where they know Derek and Addison are in. Ever since Amelia took Teddy's hand upstairs by the Daycare she hasn't let go and so the two of them are sitting side by side, holding each other's hands.
"When I was a teenager my mom let me do whatever I wanted," Amelia says, and Teddy turns to look at her without saying anything, as she can tell that this is something that Amelia just needs to say. "It was Derek, and Addie, who attempted to give me boundaries," Amelia explains. "I know they're incredible parents, that they're going to be, because they've already proved it," Amelia admits. "I know Zola, and the Sheplets need Addie, but I need her too," Amelia admits.
"I know, and that's okay," Teddy says as she squeezes Amelia's hand and the two of them once again drift into silence.
For a few minutes Amelia and Teddy sit in silence, until they hear hurried footsteps and Mark and Callie hurry towards them.
"What the hell happened?" Callie asks worried, looking between Amelia and Teddy searching both their faces for answers.
"Addie got out of the shower this morning and she was having visions problems. At first, she thought it was because she wasn't wearing her glasses, but once she put them on she still couldn't see properly so she called for Derek, and we came here," Teddy explains.
"Have you heard anything? How is she?" Mark asks, as he gives Amelia a worried look.
"I don't know, we haven't heard anything yet," Teddy explains. "Addie said on the drive that she thinks it might be preeclampsia," Teddy explains.
"Okay, okay," Callie says, noticing that Teddy and Amelia are holding hands. "Bailey and Arizona are in surgery, but they will be here when they can; oh and Alex is covering Addison's service," Callie explains as she and Mark sit down with Teddy and Amelia all of them hoping for news which they hope will be good but desperately fear will be bad.
While Amelia, Teddy, Callie and Mark are sitting outside Addison's hospital room Addison and Derek are sitting together inside. While Addison is sitting on the bed Derek is sitting next to her holding her hand. Both of them are waiting for Doctor Ryan to come back with the results of the tests she has run.
"It will be okay," Derek tells Addison, trying to hide his own fear.
"You don't know that," Addison responds, the fear in her voice perfectly clear.
"Maybe not, but whatever is going on we'll figure out and we'll get through it," Derek promises, as the two of them drift into silence as they sit together and wait for Doctor Ryan to come back with the answers that they both desperately want.