I had a really hard time getting this part down, I've been trapped midway through this part of the story for a week and it finally came together, a bit longer than I had planned and not in the direction I thought it would go, but I enjoyed writing the Mark/Addison friendship
I hope you enjoy
Naomi was busy and that was how Addison found herself sitting on the beach with Sam. She hated that she needed a babysitter, but at least the sun was warming her skin and the sand felt good between her toes. The silence wasn't terrible either which made the babysitting more tolerable.
"What made you choose the beach?" She asked eventually growing tired of the silence.
"Lots of beautiful women in bikinis," he answered teasingly and she stuck her elbow out and playfully nudged him. Though she couldn't disagree there were a lot of attractive women on the beach.
"Why did you split up?" Naomi had avoided the topic of their separation and divorce, but Addison was curious and more than anything she wanted to talk about someone else's problems because hers were suffocating.
"Why did you do that?" He asked indicating her arm which was covered by a sweatshirt despite the warm afternoon. It was clear that he was afraid to be more direct, but she was irritated more by his deflection than anything else.
"My attempted suicide and your divorce are not the same thing," she bit back almost immediately standing to tower over him. "If you don't want to talk about it just say so instead of deflecting!" She snapped before sitting back in her chair.
"Alright," he sighed accepting that she was right. "I'm sorry, I don't want to talk about it. Let's just sit and watch the beautiful beach people and enjoy the sun, God knows you need it," Sam added the last bit with a grin intending to break the tension. She knew her complexion was borderline ghostly, so she made no attempt to argue. She simply dug her feet into the sand and stared off at the surfer wearing a bright green body suit.
"I don't know," Sam uttered breaking the silence that had again fallen over them. "Things just didn't feel right, I can't explain it," he paused for a moment to watch Addison. "And these women on the beach, they're not the same. I love Nai, but I don't know how to do it anymore," he confessed. The surfer wiped out and when she made it to shore Addison's eyes were glued to her. She threw her wet hair back off of her face and Addison was captivated as the small brunette walked up the beach. The neon green wet suit was clinging to her every curve and if Addison didn't look away soon she was going to start drooling.
"I think I understand Sam." She didn't elaborate just let silence wash over them once again. When she tried to find the surfer again she was disappointed to realize that she was gone, and Addison stared off blankly hoping for another distraction.
"Do you want to talk about the elephant in the room?" Addison shot him a puzzled look. "You did just spend a good ten minutes staring at the surfer chick," he added as a means of elaboration. Addison looked away as her cheeks burned at the observation. She had been staring at that woman like some kind of creep and she felt disgusted with herself.
"We don't have to talk about it, but I suggest you wait until you've healed before taking up surfing." He said offering her an out which she was thankful for, but then she remembered the doctor's suggestion from her last session, and Sam had given her an opening. Maybe it would be okay.
"Was I that obvious?" He grinned at her and nodded.
"Her name is Sandra, she's out here a lot, she usually doesn't wipe out like that though. If you decide to try surfing, she might give you some pointers."
"Would Naomi hate me if I wanted to try surfing?" She asked.
"There is nothing wrong with surfing Addie." The metaphor had run its course when Addison started sobbing.
"What if she doesn't want me to stay there anymore or she doesn't want me around Maya?" He rushed to put his arms around her.
"Nothing has really changed Addison," he whispered as he pulled her out of her chair and into a tight hug. "Just because you've realized that you like women doesn't change that fact that you are our friend and we love you. Besides women are great and I'm lucky to be spending time with such a fantastic one right now." Addie smiled weakly at his effort. She really appreciated it. "I'm sure Naomi will be fine whenever you decide to tell her." Addison exhaled. It felt as if Sam had lifted an enormous weight from her shoulder with his words.
"You really think things will be fine with Nai?" Addie asked as they pulled apart and returned to their respective beach chairs. He nodded in response. The ease in which the gesture came to him comforted her.
"You are still the same person you have always been Addison, being gay doesn't change the fact that you are a caring, intelligent and strong individual, and my daughter is lucky to have you in her life." Addison sighed.
"I don't feel very strong right now Sam," she whispered.
"That's because you are clearly exhausted, so how about we change the subject? What are you and Naomi planning to do this weekend?" He asked. Addison's response was halted by the sound of her stomach rumbling.
"Hopefully eating. I really want some tacos," Addison said suddenly and Sam chuckled in response.
"Is that a euphemism?" And suddenly Addison was laughing a full bodied laugh, she hunched over in her chair laughing at Sam's words. She picked up a handful of sand and threw it at him.
"No," she shouted in response, all the while she was still laughing. "I want churros too and that thick hot chocolate like in Madrid," She was rambling about how perfect they were and how she couldn't remember the name of the place when Naomi and Maya showed up.
"Looks like you two had fun this afternoon." Naomi's tone was unreadable, but something was clearly off.
"You're about to have fun too," Sam said, "she's hungry." His ex-wife's mood shifted at that.
"Addison you are hungry?" She asked her friend who nodded excitedly.
"She wants tacos and churros," Sam supplied, which triggered another barely noticeable shift in Naomi's expression. Addison made a mental note of it, but said nothing as she was too excited about the prospect of fried cinnamon sugary goodness. Sensing Addie's excitement Naomi couldn't help but smile.
"I think I know where we can get those things," she responded with a grin. Addison must have looked like a kid on Christmas morning. Addison said goodbye to Sam and Maya giving each of them a hug while Naomi placed a couple of phone calls. Naomi had ordered sampler tacos with beef, chicken, steak and even turkey from a small Tex-Mex place and some churros con chocolate from a busy cafe that specialized in Spanish cuisine. It was a good thing Naomi had ordered ahead because the place was crowded, and Addison sat in the car while her friend went inside to pick up their order. She was practically drooling as the scent of paella and tapas invaded her senses. When Naomi came back to the car with a greasy brown paper bag Addison was sure she'd started drooling.
"Normally I wouldn't let you eat in the car, but I really don't think I can make you wait until we're home." Addison't eyes lit up and she ruffled through the bag excitedly. Her friend must have ordered a dozen of these and Addison excitedly withdrew one from the bag coating her fingertips in cinnamon sugar. Naomi was smiling at her as she took her first bite and moaned.
"This is delicious."
"Wait until you try the tacos," Naomi countered before pulling out of the parking lot. Forty-five minutes later they were back at the house Addison was savoring her fourth taco and she had guacamole on her chin. "I told you they were good." Addison nodded in agreement, she was like a kid in a candy shop with these tacos, and her friend was grinning at her as she finished her taco. She was considering a fifth and Naomi just shook her head. "You're going to make yourself sick." Addison silently nodded in agreement, she hadn't been eating a lot. The two of them sat there in comfortable silence for a while. That unreadable expression Naomi had, had earlier was back. "It looked like you and Sam had a good time today." She nodded.
"It was nice spending the afternoon with Sam," Addison replied. She was staring longingly at the remaining tacos and despite the fact that she'd probably make herself sick she grabbed a fifth one and took a bite savoring the bold flavors of the chicken. She hummed her approval. If she got sick it would be worth it because the tacos were heavenly.
"It's nice to see your appetite has returned for something other than my ex-husband and Mark Sloan." Addison nearly choked at her friend's words and arched her brow as she swallowed.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh I think you already know," Naomi bit back. "You have an uncanny ability to attract inappropriate men. You've got Mark calling for you at least six times a day and you spent the afternoon flirting with Sam." She shouted.
"Flirting with Sam?" Addison asked, clearly shocked by the accusation. "I tried to kill myself three weeks ago because I'm gay Nai, I'm not exactly looking for a man," she shouted right back. That was not how she thought she would come out to her friend, but now the cat was out of the bag. "Mark is my friend. He was there for me when my self-obsessed husband was too busy working and avoiding me to notice I was suicidal. The same husband who screamed that I was an "Attention seeking whore" while I was restrained and placed on suicide watch!" It felt so good to yell and let it all out and Addison was surprised when Naomi sighed in apparent relief at her confession.
"Oh God Addison I'm sorry, things with Sam are so," She trailed off uncertain about the word she wanted to use. "Strange, uncomfortable and just weird and I'm sorry I projected that onto you." She walked over to hug her friend and Addison squeezed her back.
"I think I got guacamole on you," Addison said when they pulled apart. Naomi just laughed it off.
"I don't care. I'm glad you're here Addison, this divorce," Addison just nodded to show her friend that she understood.
"When I am deemed mentally fit to file we can go through it together," she offered and Naomi gave her a weak smile. Addison grabbed a napkin and wiped her face off. "Is it okay if I stay with you tonight?" Addison asked softly. She'd been sleeping with her friend almost every night since she had arrived.
"Of course you can Addie," she answered immediately.
"I just don't want to make you uncomfortable," Addison mumbled nervously.
"You're my best friend Addison, just because you like women doesn't mean you're a handsy perv, though spending time with Mark Sloan may have negatively influenced you," she joked and Addison found herself smiling.
"Mark is a walking advertisement for penicillin," Addison said with a grin, "but he is a great friend and I don't think I would be here right now if it wasn't for him." It was true, if Mark hadn't been worried about her she would have bled to death in her brownstone kitchen. Naomi cupped her shoulder gently.
"Why don't you give him a call?" She suggested and Addison nodded. "Alright I'll clean up the kitchen and after you talk to Mark churros?" Addison nodded emphatically and Naomi just smiled as her friend walked off. Addison dialed Mark's number from the guest bedroom and he answered on the third ring.
"I thought Naomi was going to reach through the phone and strangle me if I called again." Addison found herself grinning at his greeting and the sound of his voice made her feel warm inside.
"She'll be too distracted telling me "I told you so" later for gorging on tacos and churros," Addison responded.
"Churros," Mark groaned, then "wait you're eating?" She nodded despite the fact that he couldn't see and then "yes Mark." She swore she could hear him smiling in New York. "How are you? How is LA? How is everyone?" He asked all in one breath.
"I'm feeling better today," she said softly. "I think the medication is starting to kick in, I know it takes time, but," she didn't know what else to say. "LA is nice, lots of sun and with the traffic it feels like I never left Manhattan. Everyone is doing alright. Sam and I spent the afternoon on the beach today and Maya is staying with him this weekend. Nai and I just ate dinner. How are you doing?" She finally asked.
"I miss you," he said and she could hear the sadness in his voice and she wanted to cry.
"I miss you too Mark," she whispered and immediately her hands were swiping away tears that no one could see.
"I'm glad you're feeling better," he said and things grew silent. Addison hated the silence.
"I told them," Addison blurted out. "Well Sam guessed. There was a very attractive woman surfing, and Naomi is still going to let me stay in her bed and I'm just, I feel so relieved."
"I told you there was nothing wrong with being a lesbian and God Addie you're still you it's not like you would grope Naomi, I mean I probably would, but," and Addison laughed because she and Nai had just had this conversation and it was nice to joke with Mark. When their mutual laughter had subsided Mark's tone grew serious. "I know things aren't the best right now Addie, but I know there is a wonderful woman out there for you."
"I don't think I'm ready for her right now Mark."
"Fair enough," he said, "but you are going to find her and she's going to be perfect for you, and I'll wear a hideous dress to your wedding," he added to lighten the mood and she chuckled.
"I am only going to find her because of you," she whispered. "You saved my life Mark."
"It was nothing." The line fell silent again. "Like I said I know things aren't great right now, but they're going to get better." His words were so soft and she could hear the pain in his voice. "I'm glad things are getting better Addie. I just," he sobbed, "I miss you so much." He was crying and Addison wished more than anything that she could wrap her arm around him. "I thought I'd lost you, and I know, I want what's best for you right now, but I miss my best friend."
"I love you Mark, and I miss you too. You are the only thing I miss, though I'm sure I'll miss the pizza soon too." He laughed.
"I love you too Addie. It is so nice to hear your voice," he added.
"I was thinking the same thing," she said with a grin.
"I'm going to find some time to come out there soon."
"I would love that, we can go to the beach and look at all of the gorgeous women in bikinis," Addison said trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh, I like that idea," he replied excitedly.
"I still have my medical license in case you need penicillin afterwards." Mark broke into a fit of hysterical laughter and a muffled "that was one time" was the only comprehensible thing to come out of it.
"I am serious about coming out there."
"And I'm serious about the bikinis at the beach. I need hobbies Mark. I can't have therapy three days a week and then need a babysitter the rest of the week. I'm not sure when I'll be physically and emotionally ready to go back to work, so in the meantime hobbies I need them."
"So bikini babes," he chuckled. "I'll be there. I'll call you again when I have all the details worked out. Let me know if you want any of your things and I'll take care of it okay?"
"You're the best Mark. I might need some clothes and a few books. I might take up reading. I think I have a stack of old medical journals in the study."
"Whatever you need Addie. Email me a list of things and I'll have them shipped to you or I'll bring them with me. I'm really glad you're feeling better and when I get there I want churros," he added with a light chuckle.
"That sounds wonderful. I can't wait to see you. It's getting late out there, I should let you get some sleep, I love you Mark," she paused for a moment knowing she had something else to say but not knowing what, "I'm glad you are my friend Mark."
"I'm glad you're my friend too Addison. Good night." They disconnected and Addison was comforted with the knowledge that he would visit her. One thing was for sure her life was a circus at the scene of a train wreck, but she had friends that were taking her to a better place.