The first few days in the Hamptons were a dream for the Shepherds. They laughed, slept a lot, played at the beach, went for late night walks. Mostly, they reconnected and began to remember why they fell in love.
The fourth night they were coming home from a late night walk to the lights on in their kitchen.
"Derek, didn't we turn those lights off?" Addison asked.
"I believe so. Look. Someone is moving around in there." Derek replied. "Stay here Addison. Let me check it out." Derek tried to block Addison from following him.
"Like hell I am going to let you do this alone Derek!" Addison whispered. Derek stopped and turned to Addison.
"Addie, please stay here. I can't stand to lose you again, and if there is someone in thereā¦."
"Then maybe we should call the cops if you are that worried." Addison replied. "I don't want you to die either!"
Just then the door to the kitchen opened.
"If you two are so worried about not getting killed, then maybe you shouldn't be arguing so loudly in the backyard!"
Derek and Addison turned at the sound of a very familiar voice. Addison's eyes lit up while Derek cringed.
"Archer!" Addison yelled, running to her brother and giving him a big hug,
"What are you doing here?" Derek asked walking over to the siblings.
"I am using your Hamptons home like my lovely sister told me I could." Archer smirked. Derek looked over at Addison. She gave him a shrug. She had no idea what he was talking about.
While they were talking, a tall, beautiful blonde walked out the kitchen door.
"And who is this?" Derek said through gritted teeth
"This is my date for the weekend. Sarah, meet my lovely sister and her husband, Addison and Derek." Archer said walking over to the blonde and slipping his arm around her.
"Your date? You brought your date, to our house?" Derek asked. He was beginning to get mad.
"Oh Derek, relax. The more the merrier." Addison said, smiling over at her brother.
Derek knew it was a useless battle. The two siblings were extremely close. While he really didn't like his brother-n-law, Addison did. Maybe it would be good for her to be around her brother.
"Archie, you guys can use the guest room down here. It is really late. We will see you in the morning." Addison said, pulling Derek by the hand. She knew Derek wasn't thrilled to see her brother and didn't want a confrontation.
"Addie, what did he mean you said he could use the house?" Derek asked once they were in their room.
"I don't know, Derek. I vaguely remember telling him he could use it since we lived across the country and clearly weren't using it." Addison said moving across the room to the bathroom.
Derek sighed. It sounded exactly like something Addison would tell her brother. He was frustrated she hadn't even discussed it with him. Well, maybe she had tried and he had just been tuning her out like he did so many times in Seattle.
"It's ok, Addie. This trip is about you relaxing. If you are ok with him here, then I will be ok with it."
Addison stopped mid-stride and turned to look at Derek. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Derek NEVER gave up that easy. What was he up to?
"Are you serious?" Addison asked, looking at him suspiciously. Derek walked over to her and gave her a hug.
"Yes, love. I have had a lot of time to think these past few days. I know you can't remember everything from Seattle, but I do. And I think you remember more than you are letting on. They are just painful memories, so it is easier to just choose not to remember them. I know we said that we weren't going to bring up Seattle while we were here, but with Archer showing up, I think it is time we talk about it." Derek said leading Addison over the bed.
"Addie, I was horrible to you. Worse than even I care to remember. I couldn't see it at the time because I was so hurt. I said many things to hurt you, and I am sorry."
Addison began to tear up. Derek was right. She did remember more of Seattle than she had let on. Things had been so good between them she didn't want to say anything. She had been longing to hear these words from him for over a year. Derek pulled her into his arms and just held her while she cried. After a few minutes, he pulled back.
"Love, there is more. I have been thinking a lot about how we got where we were. To the point where both of us had affairs. Both of us are very stubborn. We always think we are right. It is what makes us great surgeons. However, it is also what makes it difficult in our relationship. We both know how to trigger the other person and our fights escalate from there. We need to change this. It is going to take both of us."
Addison was completely shocked.
"Have you been talking to Kathleen?" she joked. Derek laughed.
"No, I've probably been watching too much daytime television with all this time off." he teased. Addison smiled.
"In all seriousness, Derek, I completely agree with what you are saying. We fight unfair and forget we are on the same team. Let's change, Derek. We are getting older now. It is time to grow up."
Derek flipped her over on the bed. "Are you calling me old?" he exclaimed tickling her.
"Derek, stop!" Addison said shrieking with laughter.
The laughter quickly turned to kissing.
"This is one area it is ok to escalate in." Addison whispered in Derek's ear.
The next morning, Derek woke up before Addison. He loved to watch her sleep. She was so peaceful. He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the temple. He quietly got out of bed and headed down to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Archer." Derek said when he ran in to his brother-in-law.
"Shepherd." Archer replied while mixing up a batch of pancakes.
"Blueberry pancakes. Addison's favorite." Derek said.
"Ah, so the dumbass does remember something about my baby sister." Archer smirked. Derek was about to retort back when he remembered his promise to Addison.
"I am going for a run on the beach. I will be back in a bit." Derek said, grabbing an apple and heading out the back door. He needed to clear his head and get away from his brother-in-law. He loved running on the beach. It was the only place he ever went running. The smell of ocean. The sound of the waves. It all was invigorating for him. He forgot how much he had missed being able to get away in the Hamptons.
An hour later, Derek returned to the house to find Addison eating the pancakes her brother had made. He walked up behind Addison to give her a hug.
"Derek, you are all sweaty! Get off of me!" Addison giggled. While she really didn't like it when Derek hugged her after exercising, she knew he was playing. It had been a long time since he had been playful with her.
"Go get a shower." she said, pushing him off of her.
While Derek was getting a shower, Addison finished breakfast and then went in to the living room where her brother was reading.
"Where is Sarah?" Addison asked sitting down next to Archer.
"She had to get back to the city. She is a dancer on Broadway and can't be gone very long." Archer replied putting his book down.
"A dancer, huh?" Addison asked skeptically, raising her eyebrow.
"Actually, yes. We have been dating for about 2 months now." Archer smiled.
"Seriously?!" Addison asked shocked. Her brother had never dated a girl more than a few times in his entire life.
"Hey, even your big brother has to grow up someday baby sister. Some of use just take a little longer than amazing doctors." Archer teased, lightly punching Addison on the shoulder.
"Wow! How long have you been together?"
"A little over 2 months." Archer said smiling.
"I am happy for you. Have you introduced her to the Captain and Bizzy?" Addison asked.
"I am not that crazy! Maybe if this lasts a year!" Archer exclaimed. Addison laughed. The two siblings sat quietly for a minute.
"In all seriousness, Addison, what is going on with Derek and you? I haven't seen in over a year. Last time I did, you were a mess, and your marriage was pretty much non-existent." Archer said concerned.
Addison looked up and her brother and then turned to look out the window. She wasn't sure how to explain everything that had happened in her marriage to her brother.
"I don't know what to say, Archie. You know that I lost my memory from the last 7 years after the surgery. And you know most of that has come back. While Seattle is still fairly foggy, I can remember bits and pieces. We were not in a good place there. But ever since the tumor diagnosis, it is like a fire was lit under Derek. He has changed, a lot. So have I. I think we have both realized how short life is. We have been rediscovering each other. It has been hard, but worth it. And there has definitely been a lot of fun!" Addison smirked.
"Ewww! I don't want to hear about that!" Archie laughed, covering his ears. "I am glad Derek is finally waking up to how great and special you are."
At this, Archer jumped up and grabbed Addison's hand. He pulled her up like he used to do when they were kids.
"What in the world?" Addison exclaimed as she was pulled to her feet.
"Let's go get some ice cream! Just the two of us. Like when we were kids!" Archer smiled.
"Ok. And we won't even have to sneak it this time" Addison laughed.
Summer 1977
Seven year old Addison and nine year old Archer were bored. It was a hot summer day. They had already been swimming, watched a movie, and played around the house. Their mother and father were out of town, again, leaving them with Nanny Jane.
"Archie, I'm bored!" whined Addison. "Do you want to play a game?"
"I want some ice cream!" Archer said. "Stay here. I will be right back."
A few minutes later, Archer came back outside with two ice cream sandwiches. Addison's green eyes were huge. They rarely were allowed to have ice cream.
"Where did you get those?" Addison exclaimed jumping up and down.
"Calm down, Addie." Archer said, handing her part of their treasure. "Chef always hides them in the back of the freezer. He gives them to me sometimes. But you CAN'T tell the Captain and BIzzy or Nanny Jane!" Archer said seriously. "This is a big kid secret!"
"Ok. Archie. I promise!" Addison said solemnly. The next few minutes were filled with ecstasy as she enjoyed every bite of her ice cream sandwich. All too soon, it was gone.
When Archer looked over at Addison, he started to laugh. Her face and hands were covered with chocolate.
"We better go get cleaned up before Nanny Jane sees you!" he said pulling her to her feet quickly. They ran up to the bathroom to get washed up.
"Archie?" Addison asked once they were done.
"Yes, Squirt?" Archer replied.
"You are the best big brother ever!" Addison exclaimed giving him a huge hug.
"You still are the best big brother ever." Addison said as they finished reminiscing.
"Come on Squirt. Let's go." Archer said, smiling. Addison rolled her eyes. He knew she hated the nickname. Addison left Derek a note and left with her brother. For the first time in a long time, she felt at peace. Like things were heading in the right direction. She couldn't stop smiling.
When Derek saw the note from Addison, he knew the siblings would be awhile. He was glad Addison was getting a chance to spend time with her brother. The two of them rarely got to see each other when they all lived in New York, let alone now that the Shepherds lived in Seattle. Derek decided to use the time to catch up on work. He went into the office and sat down at his computer. While he was going through emails, he noticed there was one from Dr. Burke.
Dr. Shepherd,
I know you are on leave right now, and that you are dealing with the unimaginable with Addison's brain tumor. However, I am in need of your services on my arm. The surgery you performed after I was shot, doesn't seem to have fully fixed the problem. I still have tremors. I was wondering if you were planning to return to Seattle soon since I heard Addison was doing better. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Dr. Burke
Derek leaned back in his chair stunned. Dr. Burke getting shot seemed so long ago. Had it really only be a month! And now Dr. Burke was telling him that the surgery hadn't worked. His hand was still tremoring. Derek knew this mean his fellow surgeon couldn't perform surgery. It was one of the most important things in Preston's life. Of course Derek would fly back to perform the surgery. The question was how to tell Addison.
Derek was still deep in thought when he heard Addison and Archer come home. The two were laughing over something, causing Derek to smile. The sound of Addison laughing filled him with joy. Derek got up from his desk and headed into the living room.
"Hey Babe." Addison walked over and gave him a kiss. Derek pulled her into his arms and gave her a big hug.
"Ok, you two. Montgomery's do not make out in public." Archer said, making a face.
"Well, it is a good thing we are Shepherds than." Derek laughed. "And we are most definitely NOT in public." He proceeded to dip Addison and give her a long, deep kiss. Finally the two came up for air and saw a shocked expression on Archer's face.
"On that note, I think it is time for me to head out." Archer said walking over to give Addison a hug good-bye. "It was great seeing you sis."
Addison, still breathless from the kiss, followed her brother outside to say good-bye. When she came back inside, Addison found Derek sitting at the kitchen table. He had a worried look on his face.
"Derek, what is wrong?" Addison asked confused. She hadn't expected to walk in and see her husband looking concerned after the kiss they had just shared.
"Do you remember Dr. Burke?" Derek asked, looking up at Addison cautiously. Addison just looked at him for a minute. Why was Derek bringing up Seattle?
"Yes, Preston is the cardiothoracic surgeon in Seattle. Why?"
"Do you remember what happened to him? Before the, uh, the prom?" Derek barely got out the last word. He still didn't like to think about what had almost happened at the prom.
Addison was quiet for a minute.
"He got shot, right?" she asked looking over at Derek. "You performed surgery on him, right?"
"Yes." Derek replied. He looked down at the floor, took a deep breath, and then looked back at Addison. "He contacted me and said the surgery didn't fix his arm. He still has a tremor. He asked if I could return to Seattle to perform another surgery." Addison was a little surprised. Even in the Hamptons they couldn't escape Seattle. She knew their bubble would break soon and they would have to face Seattle. She just thought they had a few more weeks.
"Look, Addison. I don't have to go. There are other doctors there who can perform it. You are my top priority now." Derek said as he got up and pulled Addison in to his arms. Addison placed her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss. He had actually said he would put her before work. That was major progress.
"No, Derek. You are the best. He is our friend. We need to be there for him. We can both go to Seattle. I mean, it isn't like you don't know how to handle post operative care for me. Dr. Koracick may not like it, but it isn't really his choice." Addison smirked. "I trust your judgement better anyway."
Derek picked Addison up and swung her around. "I love you Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery Shepherd." He set her down and kissed her deeply
"I love you too Derek Christopher Shepherd." Addison whispered in o his ear. "Now take me upstairs so we can continue the fun.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. The Shepherds spent the time saying good-bye to as many family members as possible. They promised to be back for the holidays, if not sooner. Addison promised Dr. Koracick she wouldn't operate for at least 2 more weeks and would continue to receive the care she needed in Seattle. She also thanked him for saving her life.
Before they knew it, Addison and Derek were back on a plane heading towards Seattle. Both of them had knots in their stomach. So much had happened to them since they had left Seattle. Had it really only been a few weeks ago?
Addison looked over at Derek, who was staring out the window. She had seen a different side of him these last few weeks. He was more like the man she had married, but better. Older and wiser. What would he do when he was around Meredith again? Would he revert back to treating her like she barely existed? Could her heart take it again if he did? Could she trust him?
Derek turned and looked at her. He could see the anguish on her face. It hurt him to know how much pain he had caused her. The closer they got to Seattle, the more quiet Addison became. FInally Derek pulled her into his arms.
"Addie, I can hear the thoughts and doubts in your head. I want you to know, I am over Meredith. You are the love of my life. Things are going to be different now." He leaned in and kissed her.
Addison was thrilled to hear him say that. She just hoped he was right.
Let me know what you think! Next time more characters from Grey's Anatomy will be in the story as the Shepherds will be back in Seattle!
