Ask and you shall receive. Here is chapter two. I think it is a tad longer (maybe it just felt that way because of the dialogue) but I am still getting into the swing of things. I already have a plan for chapter 3 (assuming you want it). Anyways, I hope you enjoy. If you do, drop a review. I live for them.
...
"Hey," he mumbled, looking up from his paperwork.
"I thought you might want a drink while you work," Addison said while walking into his office. He took the scotch from her hand, sipped it and smiled with gratitude. "So, how long is this going to take?"
He sipped the scotch again, as if he needed it to continue their conversation. "I don't know, Addison. Just go head and start dinner."
"But," Addison trailed off. "We," she tried again.
"What?"
"Nothing, Derek. Absolutely nothing," she mumbled, walking back towards the door.
He let out a loud sigh and said "no. What is it? I would rather do this now instead of later because we both know you'll sit down there and let this fester. That isn't good for anyone. Especially me."
Keeping her back to him she responded in a defeated voice, "we are supposed to cook together."
Of course, they were supposed to cook together. It was never simple with her, was it? "I will be downstairs in about 30 minutes," he finally said.
She turned around and said "30 actual minutes or 30 Derek minutes because Derek minutes are usually off by a few hours."
"Addison," he huffed out.
"I was kidding, Derek" (She wasn't)
"No. No you were not"
Well partly. She was serious but phrased it as a joke. "Okay, I'm sorry. I will see you in 30 minutes then?"
"Yes," he said, before sipping his scotch. "Thank you for the drink."
...
When she left he rubbed his temples, attempting to massage the Addison stress out of his brain. That had not ever worked before, but he always tried. Everything was always so complicated with her. But to be fair, it was their anniversary, and she was trying to be nice. Still, he didn't understand why it needed to be so difficult even though she meant well. That was always the case with Addison. While yes, she did complicate things, she always meant well. This was one of the many traits that made him fall for her all those years ago. Her complicated needs gave her a certain charisma that he could not get enough of back in medical school. That is what drove them together. She pushed him, and it drove him absolutely mad, but in the best way. It was intoxicating, and he could never have too much of her. It truly is the little things about someone.
With this thought, his annoyance shifted to guilt because he did still feel that way about her. She was still intoxicating at times. When their banter and sarcasm layered just right, he still felt an abnormal pull towards her. It was like gravity. She was earth, and her words were the force that pulled him in. Yet here he sat, in his office alone. It was their anniversary, and she wanted to spend time with him, right? Of course, she did. They were married. Why wouldn't she expect time together? Maybe the same reason he had not even bought a gift. What's worse is that he never even considered buying one. Of course he knew their anniversary was coming. He could not ever forget that date. Second to meeting her, that was the best day of his life. Not because the wedding meant less, but because he was already more than committed before the wedding. Legality, and a bunch of papers did not change anything. Sure, it was a beautiful day, but he did not need it to solidify what they had.
He thought for a second about Wedding Day Derek and how he would feel about Modern Day Derek not even considering buying Addison a gift.
God, I am an ass.
He put his forehead on the desk, hating himself. She planned a whole dinner for their anniversary, and he did not even buy her a gift. Not only that, he had not even told her happy anniversary. Years ago, he would have woken her up to say it. Hell, he would have stayed awake until midnight to tell her. He would have sent flowers that day, and he would have made sure the perfect gift was given over dinner that evening.
What have we come to? What have I come to? This cannot be happening.
No. He wouldn't let it. He stood up from the desk, grabbed his keys, and headed downstairs. Hopefully she wouldn't notice him slip out. He would be quick about it. Besides, he had asked for 30 minutes. He never said what he was going to use them for anyways.
...
She sat on the couch and sipped her second glass of wine. She downed the first glass before daring to bring Derek his drink a few minutes ago.
That went about as well as expected.
This entire plan was ridiculous. She was more than regretting it. Derek made it clear he would rather be working. Like always. Plus, he had not even told her happy anniversary. But to be fair, she didn't say it to him either.
God what is wrong with us?.
No! They they were fine. Struggling, but working through it. They were going to make dinner. Actual dinner.
Their little joke from earlier made her smile and she said to herself, "see we are fine. We were making jokes like we used to."
Their banter could fix things. It always had. They would make dinner and laugh about their shared incompetence in the kitchen, bickering about who was the worst chef. Everything would work out if they started talking. Once they started talking, the old Addison and Derek would appear. They would tease each other and bicker in their sweet way. A way that was so specific to them. They would tease, laugh, ruin the food, laugh some more, and hopefully fall into bed.
Yes, we are fine. This will be-
But her thoughts were cut off by the sound of the front door opening and closing again.
"Derek," she called out.
No answer.
She stood up and walked to the bottom of the stairs. "DEREK," she yelled.
No answer.
Addison felt her stomach turn. He was gone. He left. He promised they would cook, and then he left. No doubt for the hospital and some ridiculous surgery he could have passed off to another surgeon. That was Derek. He never said no to anyone...except for her.
...
"My marriage is over. It is just over, Savvy."
"No, it is not. You just have to keep trying"
"I am trying. I have been trying, and he does not care. He doesn't look at me. He doesn't touch me. Our marriage is over," Addison sobbed into the phone. "Do you want to know how long it has been since we had sex? Like really good sex. I don't mean that bullshit of going through the motions. I mean actual REAL sex, Savvy? Well, I would love to tell you, but I can't even remember. My marriage is over."
"Addie, calm down," Savvy insisted. "Your marriage is not over. Things are just difficult right now."
"No," Addison yelled. "My marriage is over."
"Will you stop saying that," Savvy begged. "Derek loves you, honey. Derek adores you. You are his whole world. You always have been."
Tears streamed down Addison's face and she said, "do you know what I would give for that to be true? I would kill for Derek to want me like he used to, but he just doesn't care. He loves work. He adores work. Work is his whole world. I am just his roommate that he occasionally has to bump into while desperately trying to get back to WORK."
"Addison," a voice called from behind her.
Addison jumped up at the sound of her name and turned towards the door. There stood Derek, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a grocery bag in the other.
"Addison is everything okay," Savvy asked through the phone.
"No. I, um I have to go," Addison quickly replied.
Her and Derek just stood staring at each other from across the room for several seconds.
"Derek. I... um how much of that did you hear," she asked, while wiping tears.
He just continued to stare at her, saying nothing.
"It was just Savvy," she insisted. As if that would make things okay. "I wouldn't tell anyone else about-"
"Our marriage being over," he cut her off. "Or about our sex life? What about me not looking at you? Would you tell anyone else that?"
"Derek-"
"No," he said. "Happy fucking anniversary, Addison." And he stormed off up the stairs.
...
Oh, Addek. Just when you think they are good, things flip upside down. Full disclosure: I originally planned a different (happier) ending for this chapter, but as I was writing, things changed. This ending felt more Addek because as we know, they struggle to get on track, but that is what makes them so lovable. So, if you enjoy this, let me know and we just might make it to the cooking, finding out what Derek had in the bag, and a possible reconciliation?
Also, I hope you noticed the parallels of them going through the same emotions at the same time. Good ole Addek. Always connected, even when apart. xx