.8.
Derek walked out of the hospital with his arm wrapped around his wife's waist. Addison was exhausted. They had just left the recovering Sav and numbed Weiss. Once the couple returned to New York, Addison and Dr. Benson would contact their acquaintances for help with a surrogate search.
Derek kissed the top of her head and pulled her towards his car.
"We can get yours tomorrow," he muttered into her hair. Addison didn't respond.
Derek looked up from his wife's head to meet the eyes of Meredith Grey.
Meredith held her head high and walked past the Shepherds without a word. Remorse flashed in the eyes of the male Shepherd. Addison looked up at that moment. Derek looked down and held her tighter.
Addison had seen the brief exchange. She sighed and pushed away from Derek.
"It's her or me. You can't have me and her or me and her ghost. I screwed up. I am very well aware. I just don't get how 3 months can compare with 11 years of marriage and 20 years of history. I know, I can't say anything, but Derek, I hurt too."
Derek gazed at Addison. She pushed her hair behind her ears and took a step further back. Her hand went to her bag to retrieve her keys.
"I'll call Dr. Talvert and let him know that we will no longer be needing his services."
"Addison-"
Addison shook her head and walked towards her car. She didn't get very far. Derek had gone after her. He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.
"I'm not going to walk away anymore."
With that said, he kissed his wife.
From a window overlooking the parking lot, an ex-girlfriend watched her ex-boyfriend kiss his wife in a way he had never kissed her. She didn't need him. She realized that now. She really didn't even know him. It was time that she made the decisions for herself instead of others making them for her. Her mother had always bossed her around. Derek had controlled their entire "relationship" with his lies, half truths, and secrets.
Meredith let out a breath she had been holding for what felt like a lifetime. From the corner of her eye, she saw George scuttle by. She smiled to herself and walked away from the window. A new air surrounded her. She stood much taller. A dim twinkle appeared in her eyes. Yeah, she had a lot to work through and seeing the reunited Shepherds on a daily basis was going to suck, but she would get over it.
"Hey George! How about dinner Saturday night?"
So that is the conclusion of Playing Favorite. A continuation will follow picking up with the Shepherds moving in to a new house, Meredith moving on, Webber stepping aside and Burke moving up, the effects on his relationship with Cristina--- basically another day at Seattle Grace. Any suggestions for the sequel are welcomed! Thanks for reading and reviewing!