I am so so so sorry. It has been forever since I updated, and I have tried several times to get this chapter completed, but life has been crazy. I had been planning this chapter for a bit and I knew if I sat down and started writing I would get it done, but it took me some time to do so. Someone left a review the other day asking me to update and it kicked me into gear, which I am grateful for because it made me actually put my ideas into words. ANYWAYS, here is chapter 12 of The Before. It is the longest one I've written, so I hope that makes up for the long wait.
…
"Is it you," Addison mumbled.
The room was silent for a second and she couldn't see anything except for a small glimmer of light underneath the curtains that covered their window.
"Honey," she asked the darkness.
"Hmmm," Derek groaned as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
Addison welcomed his affection for a moment but then said, "your alarm is going off."
In one swift motion he pulled his arm from around her and soared into a standing position.
"Fuck," he mumbled. "I have to go." Addison felt him pull the top half of his body back onto the bed to touch her. "I'm sorry," he said, against her ear.
Addison turned her head so she could give him a sleepy smile and she said, "it's okay, honey."
He immediately pulled away and began dressing. Through the dark she could see that he gave her a grateful smile. It was clear that he was weary of leaving her so early, especially considering that they had just returned from a vacation where he had promised that she would come first.
"It's my first day back from vacation, so I might need to stay a little late to see things through," Derek mumbled, while shoving his legs into his pants.
Addison didn't say anything because she had feared exactly that.
"But I promise I will not be too late," Derek insisted. "I would say maybe 5:30 at the latest."
Addison pulled the covers up to her neck and nodded her head even though she knew he probably couldn't see her. She continued laying in silence while snuggling further into their bed. So many times, she had buried herself into their covers while agonizing over his absence.
"Addie," Derek questioned.
"Yeah," she mumbled halfheartedly.
Derek who had finally finished putting all of his clothes on, leaned back over the bed and pulled at her shoulder, "honey, I don't won't to leave."
"Then don't," Addison mumbled while shrugging his hand off.
She could hear Derek sigh and she, for a brief moment, felt guilty. She knew he had an obligation, but that did not negate her feelings.
"Addison, I told you the other night that things would be different and I meant it," Derek insisted, "but my alarm is going off and I have to go. Besides, you have to get up soon anyways."
"I don't have to be at work for several more hours," she insisted.
"But you have to get ready, and we know how long that takes," Derek mumbled.
"Seriously, Derek," she hissed. "Of all things to say in this moment and you want to complain about how long it takes me to get ready?"
Derek walked silently into the bathroom and began brushing his teeth. Admittedly, it was a poor choice to bring up a touchy subject when she was already upset. But deflecting was frequently the Derek way of arguing, not that he would ever admit it. So, he splashed some water on his face and ran his fingers through his hair a few times. There was no time to do much more. He walked out of the bathroom and saw a now very awake Addison standing next to the bed attempting to put on one of Derek's shirts. He stood quietly and watched her fumble into the shirt and begin looking for her underwear. She flipped on the light next to her side of the bed so she could scan the now illuminated floor. It didn't take long for her to give up. She let out an exasperated sigh and turned to Derek for the first time.
"What," she asked.
Derek gave her a small smile and said, "just watching."
"You've seen it all," she said and rolled her eyes.
Derek sighed and moved out of her way as she stalked into the bathroom.
"What are you doing around lunchtime today," he asked.
Addison kept her back to him to hide her smile and said, "nothing. Why?"
"Well, they are having a funeral for Chris today," he mumbled. "And I was planning to go."
"Your patient that died," she asked, with the toothbrush hanging out of her mouth.
He nodded and said, "they're doing a small service at noon and I am going. I would love if it you could come too. It shouldn't take long."
Addison removed the toothbrush and nodded her head. "Yeah, meet me in my office about 11:30 and we can ride together."
Derek gave her a grateful smile and walked into the bathroom where she was standing. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. She reluctantly leaned in, still not forgetting their argument from before.
"They're in the pocket of my pajama pants," Derek whispered against her hair.
"What," she asked.
"Your underwear," he answered. "That's where I put them last night."
She couldn't help but laugh as she nuzzled her nose against his skin.
"Wait, why did you put them in your pocket," she asked.
Derek laughed and said, "because you can't ever find them the next day."
"And you thought I would check your pocket?"
"I now realize my thought process may have been flawed, but I meant well," he insisted
"Whatever, but you are going to be late so…" Addison trailed off. Derek pulled away and walked over to gather his belongings. Addison watched him from the door casing of their bathroom and said, "I guess I'll wear black."
Derek stopped in his tracks and nodded his head. "Can you grab something for me," he asked.
"Of course. I'll see you later," she mumbled, as he headed out the door.
Derek got halfway down the hall and shouted, "I love you."
"I love you too," she called back.
…
Addison stared at her reflection in the mirror and gently brushed her recently dried hair. It was still warm from the blow-dryer that sat on the sink next to her. She reached for a clip and pulled part of it back, making sure to leave a few messy little strands to dangle in her face. Derek liked her hair that way.
"It looks effortless," he always said.
If only he knew just how difficult it was to make your hair look an effortless messy.
"Plus, I can see more of your face," he would add.
Addison smiled at her reflection, satisfied with the finished product, and turned to put on her clothes. She slipped into a tight fitted black dress and struggled with the zipper for just a moment before managing to get it all the way up.
"Shoes," she mumbled to herself, and placed her feet into a pair of heels before reaching for the clothes she had picked out for Derek.
She smoothed the white button-up and black jacket that were laying over her arm and thought briefly about how good he would look in it. He didn't wear white shirts often, something she was now realizing she should bring to his attention. She made a mental note to address it later and headed downstairs to gather the rest of her belongings. The little table in the foyer is where she always kept her purse, so she went straight for that and threw her purse over her shoulder. As she placed her hand on the doorknob, she heard a faint buzzing in the background and turned to find Derek's phone on the table where her purse had previously been sitting. He must have sat it there on his way out and forgot to pick it up. She reached for the phone and saw Weiss' name on the screen.
"Weiss," Addison called into the phone.
Weiss paused for a moment, clearly taken back by Addison answering, and then said, "Addie, where is Derek?"
"He's at work. He left his phone at home."
She heard Weiss let out a sigh. "Okay, well I'm sure you already know about everything."
"I do," she said.
"Look, Addie things have been…." and he trailed off.
"Difficult," she finished for him.
Weiss let out a small ironic laugh and said, "to put it lightly, yes. But I need to know why in the hell everyone thought it was okay to discuss my marriage while I-"
"Was sleeping with another woman and lying about being at work," Addison quickly said, cutting him off.
Weiss was silent for several seconds, giving Addison the chance to continue.
"You specifically asked Derek to bring Savvy so you could have the freedom to sleep around in her absence," Addison said, "you involved all of us the moment you did that. Now the rest of it is completely between you and Sav."
"Addison, I-"
"No," she stopped him. "All I ask is that you make this right, and in the future please try to refrain from including my husband in your attempts to cheat on my friend."
She hit the end button on the phone and placed it into her purse with a satisfied smile on her face. To be honest, she had not even realized just how upset she was over Weiss including Derek in his schemes until the words were coming out of her mouth. But he deserved every word she said, and she knew it. Addison confidently opened the door and headed out.
…
"A funeral?"
"Yes, Noah. A funeral," Addison responded.
"Do doctors usually attend their patients' funerals," Noah asked. Addison looked up from the chart she was reading and rolled her eyes, making it clear he did not deserve a response. "I just think it's a little odd, but it's none of my business I guess."
"Right you are, Noah. It certainly is not any of your business," she said with a passive aggressive smile.
He held up both of his hands in surrender and nodded. "I guess I just never pictured Dr. Shepherd as one of those overly involved surgeons." Addison flipped a page in the chart, trying desperately to ignore him, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. "Now, if it was your patient," Noah continued, "that would make a little more sense."
"Noah, while I do enjoy our little chats, I have patients that you need to check on," she said.
He nodded quickly and turned to go down the hall. Addison welcomed his absence but admittedly felt a pang of guilt for the way she spoke to him. Even though he was relatively new, Noah was an excellent nurse and she usually enjoyed his presence. He always maintained his composure during difficult cases, and he often provided comedic relief on particularly dreary days. Plus, he brought her coffee frequently, so she was never sorry when he found his way onto her service.
"Addie, I hear you will be gone during lunch," a voice called.
"Yes, Derek too," she answered, turning to face the chief. He shook his head and said nothing. "It that… okay," Addison asked sarcastically.
"Of course, it's just that you were both out for the beach and-"
"And you encouraged us to do that," Addison interrupted.
There was a brief silence and the chief pretended to be occupied with his cellphone.
"I just didn't expect another sudden exit," he finally admitted.
Addison rolled her eyes before realizing she had done so and immediately remembered all the times Derek had called her out on doing the exact same thing. He would say something casually, and she would roll her eyes without even realizing she had done so. Derek had brought this exact moment up during so many of their fights, and at the time it did nothing but anger her further. Perhaps it was because she knew he was right. Either way, she was now realizing exactly what he was referring to.
"It won't happen again," she insisted, with a much lighter tone.
The chief nodded his head respectfully and headed off down the hallway.
"Why must Derek always be right," Addison asked herself.
…
"Dr. Shepherd," a familiar voice called as the door to Addison's office opened.
"Noah," Addison responded with a tired smile, "is everything okay?"
He walked over to the couch where she was sitting and handed her a cup of coffee.
"After that last patient I figured you would need this," he said.
She quickly took the cup from his hands and mumbled her thanks, even though the smile her on face made her gratefulness clear. "Perfect," she mumbled, inhaling the pleasant aroma before taking her first sip. That first sip always hit the spot.
Noah slumped down on the coach next to her and let out an exasperated sigh.
"She was a complicated one," Addison said, breaking the silence.
Noah chuckled and said, "to put it lightly."
"She had been pushing for three hours. I would like to see how you react to that."
"Fine, fine," Noah surrendered. "She didn't have to yell though."
Addison sat back on the couch and continued to drink her coffee. Poor Noah had another thing coming if he thought that their patient today was as tough as it gets.
"You handed it well," Addison admitted.
Noah looked over and smiled, "thanks."
"No matter how much they yell, you have to-"
"Put yourself in their shoes and imagine how they're feeling," he finished for her. She nodded and ignored the hint of sarcasm he had used when quoting her. "Dr. Shepherd," Noah said, "can I ask you something?"
"HEY," a voice called from the doorway. "Sorry I got caught up with a patient."
Addison looked up at a disheveled Derek and shook her head. "I've only been here for a few minutes, honey. It's fine."
He nodded and looked over at Noah and then back to Addison before raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, sorry, Addison said, "this is Noah." She raised her hands to gesture between the two of them. Derek walked forward to shake Noah's hand but let his hand fall awkwardly when Noah didn't meet him halfway.
"We've meet," Noah said.
"We have," Derek asked.
"Twice," Noah mumbled, and then forced a smile. "You were really busy, so I don't hold it against you."
Addison looked between them awkwardly for a moment and tried desperately to think of something to say. This definitely was not the first time Derek had been called out on not recognizing hospital staff.
"Well, I should probably let you guys get going," Noah said. "See you later, Dr. Shepherd."
"Bye," Derek and Addison both said in unison, causing Noah to glance back.
"Ready," Addison asked, shaking off the awkwardness.
Derek nodded and held the door open for her and followed directly behind. They walked to Derek's car in a silence that Addison was grateful for. Admittedly that last patient had been exhausting and she needed time to think. Of course, she had experienced worse but it definitely was not how she wanted to spend her morning after a long weekend of Shepherd and Savvy drama. She comfortably situated herself in the passenger seat of Derek's car and stared out the window.
"You look nice," Derek said, breaking the silence. She glanced at him and gave a small but grateful smile. "I've always loved your hair like that."
"I know," she replied.
Derek cleared his throat awkwardly and said, "I'm sure the nurse does too."
"What nurse?"
"Seriously," Derek asked. The look on Addison's face told him that she genuinely did not know who he was referring to. "The nurse that was in your office," he answered.
"Derek, seriously," she asked. "He's a kid, honey."
"No, I'm relatively certain he is an adult which is how he got a job at the hospital."
"Derek-"
"I'm just saying," Derek interrupted. "I think the nurse has his eyes on you."
Even though Addison was quite certain that Derek was misreading things, she couldn't help but enjoy the fact that he noticed her relationship with Noah. Derek Shepherd was not one to get jealous, so when he did, she enjoyed it.
"I think he was just annoyed that he didn't remember him."
Derek rolled his eyes and they rode the rest of the way in silence.
…
Funerals had always been uncomfortable for Addison. Especially since seeing how people outside of her family handled them. She never once saw a member of her family shed a single tear at a funeral, so it was always shocking to see others do it. Addison could vividly remember being six years old staring up at the white casket that contained her grandmother. The kids from school had insisted that she should be sad her grandmother was gone, which confused Addison because even Bizzy did not seem upset. She seemed completely indifferent to the fact that her mother had suddenly died. The Captain was the one that sat her and Archer down to "break the news." Bizzy was nowhere to be found. She was probably at some country club gossiping about flowers or poor wait staff on her private plane. At the funeral Addison remembered glancing up at her mother who was sitting stiffly on her left. Her eyes were devoid of feeling and her breathing was steady as she rose to give a perfectly worded eulogy that depicted a life Addison had never even heard her mother speak of. She listened as her mother listed the accomplishments her grandmother had achieved and the charities that she had loved. When it was over Bizzy walked back, avoiding the Captain's outstretched arm of affection and sat comfortably next to her assistant Susan. The Captain placed his hand on Archer's shoulder instead, seemingly embarrassed he had offered affection to someone that had so amply demonstrated she was not in need of it. Six-year-old Addison had glanced back and forth between her parents that she was sitting between and watched her father glance apprehensively toward her mother whose hand was being held by her assistant Susan. Apparently Bizzy did not have the courage to shrug Susan off the way she had done the Captain. Susan had always had a big heart, so Bizzy let her get away with things others couldn't, and that was why Addison had always been jealous of Susan. Bizzy got angry at Addison for asking if she was sad her mother had died, but now Susan was allowed to grab her hand at the funeral.
"Addie," Derek whispered, "slide down."
Addison glanced up awkwardly and saw the group of people trying to sit at the end of the bench. She slid down several feet and rested her hands in her lap the way she had been taught to do.
"Ankles crossed beneath you and hands firmly placed in your lap," Bizzy would always say. "Keep your back straight and your chin level. There's never an excuse to look a touch out of place."
"Thank you all for being here today," a voice called, pulling Addison from her thoughts. "I know Chris would be grateful for such a big group of individuals."
Addison felt Derek reach his arm out behind her and he rested the palm of his hand against the back of her shoulder. They sat that way as the priest read scripture and talked about songs before they were played. The first was a slow country song that Addison was positive she should know but couldn't quite place. The second was prefaced with commentary from the priest on how it was the song Chris and his late wife had danced to when they renewed their vows. They chose to do so right before his wife had passed away. As soon as the first note began Addison felt her stomach flip. It was the song her and Derek had danced to at their wedding. The song was relatively new back then, but it was old now. She had an entire fight with Derek about changing the song they were originally planning to dance to, but when she played it for him, he understood and surrendered. She turned to look at him as Alison Krauss' version of 'When You Say Nothing At All' played over the speakers. Derek glanced in her direction and their eyes met for just a moment. She gave him a heartfelt smile and he squeezed her shoulder in response. As the song concluded she remembered the way her and Derek had continued to stare into each other's eyes at their wedding. It took the DJ making a joke about them not wanting to let each other go for them to realize the song had ended and they were expected to separate so Derek could dance with his mother.
"Now a very special friend of Chris would like to say a few words," the priest said.
Derek pulled his arm from around Addison and stood up. She glanced up at him in confusion as he slid by her and made his way out into the aisle. All eyes were on Derek as he placed himself in front of the podium. "Good afternoon, everyone," Derek said, resting his hands in front of him.
Addison looked around shocked at what was happening. Derek had mentioned how he cared for Chris and him being at the funeral was big but speaking at the funeral was a different story.
"I unfortunately was not able to know Chris very long," Derek started. "However, I feel almost as if I have known him my entire life. There was always something so comforting and familiar about him. That something I noticed affected everyone else he spoke with. His personality could calm any room no matter who was in it. I've never had a patient that brightened my day the way he did. He would often make me forget that I had other patients I needed to see because he would get me so caught up in stories about his life. I heard the most vivid tales of his childhood and adult years. Then, somewhere along the way, I realized that Chris seemed so familiar to me because his personality was much like my father that I lost when I was a kid. Funnily enough, they even have the same name, a name that is now my middle name. After telling Chris about my dad he told me that he also lost his father at an early age. Throughout my time with him we found many other similarities that I know he would be upset about me not sharing, especially since he made it a point to mention them to every nurse that ever entered his room."
The funeral guests joined into a small laugh which Derek stopped momentarily to allow. Before continued he glanced up at Addison who gave him a smile of approval.
"We both grew up as the oldest brother to four little sisters," he continued. "Both of us also attended the same university in our twenties and we both were lucky enough to meet our wives on that exact campus. When Chris told me about meeting his wife in college, I didn't think it was that unique until he told me that he, like myself had coincidentally been seated next to the women he was going to marry. At the time he was just excited to be seated next to the prettiest girl in the room, much the way I was. As he told me about falling in love with his wife, I couldn't help but notice similarities in the way I also fell in love with my wife. Then when he told me about his wife picking 'When You Say Nothing At All' as the song they would play while renewing their vows, I knew there was some odd cosmic force at work because that is the very song that my wife and I danced to at our wedding."
Addison clinched her fists and blinked back the tears Bizzy had always told her were not allowed in public places.
"Chris was one of the brightest and most sincere humans I have ever met," Derek said. "I am of course devested that I didn't get more time with him. However, I keep reminding myself of something that he told me helped him get through losing his own father." Derek paused for a moment to take a deep breath and said, "be grateful for any amount of time spent with someone you cared about, regardless of how brief it felt because no matter what happens, no one can ever take those memories away." Derek stood at the podium for just a moment and stared at the floor before shaking his head and turning away.
"Thank you, Derek, for those kind words," the priest said, as Derek walked back towards his seat next to Addison.
Derek maneuvered his way between the other funeral guests and sat down next to his wife. She glanced over at him and watched as he swiped a tear away from his cheek. Without hesitation she reached over and grabbed his hand, much the same way she had watched Susan do to her mother all those years ago. Derek squeezed her hand back and leaned his shoulder against hers. They sat like that throughout the rest of the service.
…
"I would have liked being able to meet him," Addison said.
They had been riding back to the hospital in silence until she broke it to say that.
"I've thought about that a lot," Derek admitted. "I should have had you stop by. He would have loved it." Derek paused to laugh, apparently recalling a memory.
"What," Addison asked.
"He liked you. He thought you were feisty."
Addison turned her head and raised an eyebrow, "did he now?"
"I talked about you quite a lot, which I thought would make me feel better about our fights."
"You thought," Addison questioned.
Derek glanced over at her and smiled, "he always took your side."
"I knew I liked him," Addison said. Derek laughed and shook his head. "You could have told me he reminded you of your dad. You know that right?"
"I know," Derek admitted. "It just sounded so crazy to me. I never actually said it out loud until I was up there talking. I had not even planned to do it then, but it felt right."
Addison reached for his hand that he removed from the wheel and placed in her lap. She sat her hand on top of his and laced their fingers. "I'm glad we went," she admitted, "funerals have always made me feel weird, but I'm glad I was there."
"I'm glad you were there too," Derek said, and pulled his hand from hers so that he could turn the wheel into the hospital parking lot. They both walked back into the hospital and parted ways with their typical peck on the cheek. "I'll be home at 5:30," Derek called before Addison got out of earshot.
"You better be," she called back lovingly and headed off to tend to her patients.
…
Addison fumbled into the house at fifteen after 5:00 and collapsed on the couch. It had been a heavy day. Her patients had not been the easiest and the funeral took so much out of her. She was still grateful she went, but it was an emotional rollercoaster. Seeing Derek that emotional, and knowing he had been holding it all in was devastating for her. She couldn't wait for him to come home so they could drink the day away with a glass of anything other than water. She smiled at the thought of them cuddled up on the couch sipping away on wine and scotch. But first she needed a shower to help wash away the remaining bits of the day that still felt as if they were lingering on her skin. Forcefully she willed herself into a standing position and began her trek up the stairs, sure that by the time she was out of the shower Derek would be home. Within minutes she was standing under a stream of hot water that she admittedly stood in for far too long. Her hair was beginning to frizz from the heavy steam that clouded the air but she didn't care. It was exactly what she needed after a long day. After much more effort than usual, she forced herself out of the shower and stood in front of the foggy mirror with her towel wrapped around her. It had to be time for Derek to come home, so she shuffled into the closet and threw on some pajamas. She let her hair drop from the clip that held it all, minus a few small strands, at the top of her head. She rubbed her scalp to sooth the place where the clip had been stationed, then headed downstairs to wait for Derek. When she reached the bottom of the stairs Addison glanced quickly at the clock and then stopped in her tracks. The clock said it was ten minutes after 6:00. Meaning Derek was already forty minutes late. Addison stared at the clock, hoping that she was just reading it wrong.
"He wouldn't," she mumbled to herself.
He definitely wouldn't have signed up for an unnecessary surgery after everything that happened.
Or would he?
Addison walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of wine that far exceeded the typical amount and leaned against the counter. Just a few days ago Derek had promised her that something like this would never happen again. He told her that he would prove himself, and she trusted him. He promised change, and she believed it. Now she was left standing in their kitchen alone, much the same way she had been several days ago. Except this time, she wasn't surrounded by groceries she had purchased with a hopeful attitude. Now she stood alone, holding a glass of wine and swimming in her own innocence. How could she have been naïve enough to believe he would change? How could she have trusted that he would put her first? She felt like she was standing in a scene from some horrible movie that had unfortunately become her life. Derek had once again put work before her, even after-
"Addie," a shaky voice called from the foyer. Addison jumped at the sound of heavy feet and keys clanging together. "Addie," he called again, "I know I'm late, and I wanted to call." Addison stood leaning against the counter and watched as an anxious Derek fumbled into the kitchen. "But," Derek continued, "I think I left my phone at home."
Addison immediately remembered that he did in fact leave his phone at home and it was in her purse. After her conversation with Weiss, and her difficult patient load, she had completely forgotten she had it. She had planned to leave it in his office but got lost amongst pages and funeral plans.
"Sorry," she mumbled. "I was going to bring it to you, but I forgot I had it."
Derek shook his head and said, "I would have called you from my office phone but I didn't even realize I didn't have my phone until I was pulling into the grocery store." At that moment Addison realized that Derek was holding several grocery bags that he was now sitting on the counter. "I knew stopping would make me late, so I planned to call when I got going down the road, but I realized my phone was gone."
Addison pointed to the bags and said, "why did you stop at the grocery store?"
"Well," Derek said, with a smile. "I thought we could give that recipe one more try."
Addison felt her mouth spread into a smile that consumed her entire face.
"We could try our hand at some actual cooking again," Derek added, "that is if you want to."
"No," Addison insisted. "There is literally nothing I want more."
Derek gave her that charming smile she loved so much and said, "great! So, I did some research in between surgeries today because I am determined to prefect this chicken dish. If you remember, which I'm sure you do, the filling spilled out while cooking."
Addison sipped her wine and said, "I remember that all too well." Then she moved over to Derek and began helping him take the groceries out of the bags.
"Well," Derek continued, "apparently toothpicks are okay to put in the oven, and if we use a few of those-"
"TO HOLD THE CHICKEN TOGETHER," Addison added in an excited voice.
"The filling should stay in," Derek finished.
"Why didn't I think of this," Addison asked.
Derek glanced around awkwardly and said, "because ramen noodles and frozen pizza don't require that kind of thought process."
Addison playfully hit his arm and said, "hey, you didn't think of it either."
"But I'm suggesting it now."
"Whatever," Addison said, rolling her eyes.
Derek placed the pack of chicken on the table and smiled at her, then he pointed to her wine and said, "excellent idea. I need a glass."
Addison stood and watched him grab a glass from the cabinet and felt an overwhelming sense of comfort wash over her body. Just a few minutes ago she had been alone in the kitchen heartbroken over his absence. Now they were both in the kitchen and he was eager to be spending time with her.
"What is it," Derek asked, noticing her eyes on him.
"Nothing," she insisted, and leaned in to give Derek a quick kiss that tasted like wine.
He leaned in willingly and kissed her back.
"Let's do some actual cooking," she said with a smile that he returned.
…
"It's delicious," Derek insisted, while shoveling another bite into his mouth. "We should make this again."
Addison pushed her plate away from her, exhausted from eating and said, "or maybe we shouldn't. I haven't had that many calories in forever."
"That bottle of wine you have consumed has more calories than chicken," Derek said, with a mouth full of food.
"Alcohol has its own rules," Addison added quickly.
"Much like coffee," Derek asked.
"Exactly," she said, and then took a sip of her forth glass of wine. "These things are necessities."
"Whereas food is not," Derek stated. Addison nodded her head and took another sip. Derek watched her drink her wine and couldn't help but smile to himself. He loved seeing how happy she was. A simple dinner in their kitchen was making her entire night and he knew it. He had so desperately missed seeing that look of blissful happiness on her face. They had been in a rut, but this moment proved what he had always known about them. They had a kind of love that didn't need an extravagant outing or intense circumstances to feel special. Both of them could feel an overwhelming sense of excitement sitting in their kitchen. As long as they were together and talking, happiness existed.
"What," Addison asked, noticing his lingering gaze.
Derek reached across the table and she immediately responded by placing her hand in his. She didn't bother to question him further because she didn't need to. They could speak to each other without ever saying a word. They both knew how happy they made each other. Yes, they had been going through a difficult time. That time was tumultuous and it seemed like it would never end, but that was the before. This, what they both felt while looking into each other's eyes, that was their now. And Addison and Derek both wanted to focus on how they felt about their now because that would be their forever.
…
AHHHHH! I hope you enjoyed. I really loved writing this chapter, especially the ending with the parts about Addison's family. Not sure why but that entire story interests me. It made me want to maybe continue with The Before and have some storylines with Addison's parents/brother…. Just a thought. Let me know if you would be interested. Also, please please let me know if you enjoyed this chapter. I love seeing your comments and ideas.